Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1914 — The Hollow of Her Hand [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Hollow of Her Hand

SYNOPSIS. CHAPTER I—Challis Wrandall Is founM ? murdered In a road house near New ork. Mrs. Wiandall Is summoned from ths city and identifies the body. A youny Woman who accompanied Wrandall to the Inn and subsequently disappeared Is bus* pected. Wrandall, It appears, had led a cay life and neglected his wife. Mrs. Wrandall starts back for New York in an auto during a blinding snow storm. CHAPTER ll—On the way she meets a young woman in the road who proves to be the woman who killed Wrandall. Feelthat the girl had done her a service In ridding her of the man who. though *he loved him deeply, had caused her B ° rr ° w ' Mrs. Wrandall determines lo shield her and takes her to her own tome. CHAPTER lll—Mrs. Wrandall hears the story of Hetty Castleton’s life, except that portion that relates to WranSK 1 ’ •J he J B .' ory of th ® tragedy she forbids the girl ever to tell her. She offers Hetty a home, friendship and security from peril on account of the tragedy. / CHAPTER IV—Mrs. Sara Wrandall and Hetty attend the funeral of Challis Wrandall at the home of his parents. Sara had always been treated as an Interloper by the snobbish Wrandall family, but the tragedy seems to draw them closer together. CHAPTER V—Sara Wrandall and Hetty return to New York after an absence of a year In Europe. Leslie Wrandall, brother of Challis, makes himself useful to Sara and becomes greatly Interested In Hetty. CHAPTER Vl—Hetty is greatly pained at Bara’s evident desire to encourage Leslie’s attentions. Sara sees in I-eslle’s infatuation possibility for revenge on the Wrandalls and reparation for the wrongs Whe suffered at the hands of Challis Wrandall by marrying his murderess into the family. sS" 5 ™ fist .X: CHAPTER VTll—Sara arranges with Booth to paint a picture of Hetty. Booth Aas a haunting feeling that he has seen Hetty before. Looking through a portfolio of pictures by an unknown English artist he finds one of Hetty. He speaks to her about It. Hetty declares It must be a picture of Hetty Glynn, an English actress, who resembles her very much. CHAPTER IX— Wrandall becomes impatient and Jealous over the picture painting and declares he Is going to propose to Hetty at this first opportunity and have It over with. CHAPTER X—Much to his chagrin Leslie is refused by Hetty. Sara, between whom and Hetty a strong mutual affection has grown up. tries to persuade the girl that she should riot let the tragedy prevent her from marrying. CHAPTER XT—Booth and Hetty confess their love for each other, but the latter declares that she can never marry as there Is an Insurmountable barrier In the way. She promises that some dav •he will tel] her secret and -that then Booth will not want to marry her. CHAPTER XIII— again proposes to Hetty and is rejected. Hetty prepares to leave Sara, declaring that after what has happened she can remain no longer. Leslie’s rejection causes consternation in the Wrandall family. XTI- Hettv admits to Para that she loves Booth Para declares that Hetty must marry Leslie, who must be 2i e J? pay ll, ’ ! hrnt her’s debt to the a ” aln attempts to tell ths roai story of tho tragodv and Sara throatens to strangle her if she says a word, TTpt, V bv rove-<rng that all this time she has hnitAved Hetty to have shined in her relations with Challis Wrandall Tn the end she realizes that Hetty Is entirely innocent. CHAPTER XlV—Hetty starts for Europe. Sara insists upon providing for her financially. At'sea Hetty receives a message from Booth that lie has started on a faster steamer and will be waiting for her on the other side. Booth meets her and accompanies her to London. In an attempt to escape from him Hetty starts for Paris, but finds Booth on the same boat.

(Continuation of Chapter XIII.) From Sara came these cryptic

by George Barr McCutcheon

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words: ’ For each year of famine there will come .seven years of plenty.” All the way across the Atlantic she lived in a state of subdued excitement. Conflicting emotions absorbed her waking hours but her dreams were al! of one complexion: rosy and warm and full of a joyousness that distressed her vastly when she recalled them to mind in the early morning hours. During the day she intermittently hoped and feared that he would be on the landing stage. In any event, she was bound to find unhappiness. If he were there her joy would be short-lived and blighting; if he wgre not there, her disappointment would be equally bard to bear. He was there. She saw him from the deck of the tender as they edged up to the landing His tall figure loomed in the front rank against the rail that held back the crowd: his sun-bronzed face wore a look of eager expectancy; from her obscured position in the shadow of the deck buildin K, purposely chosen for reasons only too obvious, she could even detect the alert, swift moving scrutiny that he fastened upon the crowd. on, he stood looking down Into her serious blue eyes; her hands were lying ltaip in his. His own eyes were dark with earnestness, with the restraint that had fastened itself upon him. Behind her stood the respectful but immeasurably awed maid, who could not for the life Of her, understand how a man could be on both sides of the Atlantic at one and the same time. “Thank the Lord, Hetty, say I, for the five-day boats,” he was saying "Vou should not have come, Hrapdon,” she cried softly, and the look of misery in her eyes was tinged with a glow she could not suppress.. “It only niakes every thing harder for me. 1~l Oh, I wish you had not come!” "But isn't it wonderful?” he cried, "that 1 should be here and waiting for sou! It Is almost inconceivable. And you were in the act of running away from me. too. Oh, I have that much of the tale from San., so don’t look so about it.” “I am so sorry you came,” she repeated. her lip trembling. Noting her emotion, he gave her hands a fierce, encouraging pressure and immediately released them. “Come," he said gently; “I have booked for London. Everything is arranged. 1 shall see to your luggage. Let me put you in the carriage first." ’ As she sat in the railway carriage, waiting for him to return, she tried in a hundred ways to devise a means of escape, and yet she had never loved him so much as now. Her heart was sore.< her desolation never so complete as now.

He came back at last and took his seat beside her in the compartment, fanning himself with his hat. The maid very discreetly stared out of the window at the hurrying tnrong of travelers on the platform. "How 1 love you, Hetty—how 1 adore you,!” Booth whispered passionately. ... "Oh, Brandon I ” “And I,don't mean to give you up,” he added, his lean jaw setting hard. “You must —oh, you must,” she cried miserably. "I mean it, Brandon—” IWhat Axe your plans?” asked he.

‘‘please r-SsTme/ 1 she pleaded". "You must give it up, Brandon. Let me go my own way.” “Not until I have the whole story from you. You see, I am not easily thwarted, once I set my heart on a thing. 1 gathered this much from Sara: the object is not insurmoirtitable.” “She- said—that?” ’ln effect yes, " he qualified. "What did she tell you?” demanded Hetty, laying her hand on his arm. "I will confess she didn’t reveal the secret that you consider a barrier, but she went so far as to say that it was very dark and dreadful,” he said lightly. They were Speaking in very low tones. "When I pinned her down to it, she added that it did not in any sense bear upon your honor: But there is time enough to talk about this later on. For the present let’s not discuss the past. I know enough of your history from your own lips as well as what little I could get out of Sara, to feel sure that you are in a way, drifting. I intend to look after you, at least until you find yourself. Your sudden break with Sara has beer, explained to me. Leslie Wrandall is at the back of it. Sara told me that she tried to force you to marry him. I think you did quite right in going away as you c:i. but, on the other Land was it qmte”fa.r to me ?” "Yes, it was most fair,’ she said, compressing her lips. He frowned. We can t possibly be of the same opinion.” he said seriously. “You wouldn't say that if you knew everything.” ’How long do you intend to stay in London?” “I don't know. When does this train arrive there?” “At four o'clock, I think. Will you go to an hotel or to friends?” He put the question very" delicately. She smiled faintly. "You mean the Murgatroyds?” “Your father is here, I am informed. And you must have other friends or relatives who—”

“I shall go to a small hotel 1 know near Trafalgar square,” she interrupted quietly. "You must not come there to see me, Brandon.” "I shall expect you to dine with me at —say Prince's this evening,” was his response to this. She shook her head and then turned to look out of the window. He sat back in his seat and for many miles, with deep perplexity in his eyes, studied her half-averted face. The old uneasiness returned. Was this obstacle, after all. so great that it could not be overcome? i. They lunched together, but were singularly reserved all through the meal. A plan was growing in her brain, a cruel but effective plan that made her despise herself and yet contained the only means of escape from an even more cruel situation. He drove with her from the station to the small hotel off Trafalgar square. There were no rooms to be had. It was the week of Ascot and the city was still crowded with people who awaited only the royal sign to break the fetters that bound them to London. Somewhat perturbed, she allowed him to escyrt her to several hotels of a like character. Failing in each case, she was in despair. At last she plucked up the courage to say to him, not without constraint and embarrassment: "I think, Brandon, if you were to allow me to apply alone to one of these places I could get in without much trouble.” , "Good Lord!” he gasped, going very red-with dismay. “What a fool I ‘Til try the Savoy,” she said quickly. and then laughed at him. His face was the picture of distress. "I shall come for you tonight at eight,” he said, stopping the taxi at once. “Goodby till then.” He got out and gave directions to the chauffeur. Then he did a very strange thing. He hailed another taxi and, -climbing in, started off in the wake of the two women. From a point of vantage near the corridor leading to the “American bar,” he saw Hetty sign her sfips and move off

towards the left. Whereupon, seeing th, she was quite out of the Way, he

approached the manager's office and ask-d for accommodatons. Nothing left, sir,” “ Not a thing?” Eery thing has been taken for weeks, sir. Ira sorry.” Sorry, too. I had hoped you might have something left for a friend who expects to stop here—a Miss Castleton.” Miss Castleton has just applied. We could not give her anything.” "Eh?” "Fortunately we could let her have rooms until eight this evening. We were more than pleased to offer them to her tor a few hours, although they are reserved for parties coming down from Liverpool tonight.” Booth tried the Cecil and got a most undesirable room. Calling up the Savoy on the telephone, he got her room: The maid answered. She informed him that Miss Castleton had just that instant gone out and would not return before seven o’clock. “I suppose she will not remove her trunks from the station until she finds a permanent place to lodge,” he inquired. "Can 1 be of any service?” “I think not, sir. She left no word, sir.” He hung up the receiver and straightway dashed over to the Savoy, hoping to catch her before she left the hotel. Just inside the door he came to an abrupt stop. She was at the news and ticket booth in the lobby, closely engaged in conversation with the clerk. Presently the latter took up the telephone, and after a brief conversation with some one at the other end, turned to Hetty and nodded his head. Whereupon she nodded her own adorable head and began the search for her puree. Booth edged around to an obscure spot and saw her pay for and receive something in refurn. “By Jove!” he said to himself, amazed. She passed near him, without seeing him, and went out into the court. He watched her turn into the Strand. When the night boat from Dover to Calais slipped away from her moorings that evening, Hetty Castleton and her maid were on board, with all their bags and trunks, and Brandon Booth was supposed to be completely at sea in the heart of that glittering Londontown. The night was fog-laden and dripping, and the crossing promised to be unpleasant. Wrapped in a thick seaulster Hetty sat huddled up in the lea of the deckhouse, sick at heart and miserable. She reproached herself for the scurvy trick she was playing on him, reviled herself and yet pitied herself. A tall man came shambling down the narrow space along the rail and stopped directly in front of her. She started in alarm as he reached out his hand to support himself against the deckhouse. As he leaned forward, he laughed. “You were thinking of me, Hetty," said the man. For a long time she stared at him, transfixed, and then, with a low moan, covered tier eyes with her hands.

like a madman, searching for you in every—” “Please, please!” she implored. “But luck was with me. You can't get away, Hetty. I shan’t let you out of my sight again. I’ll camp in front of your door and you’ll see me wither and die of sleeplessness, for one or the other of my eyes will always be open.” “Oh, I am so tired, so miserable,” she murmured. "Poor little sweetheart!” “I wish you would hate me.” “Lie where you are, dearest, and—forget!”

“If I only could—forget!” "Rest. I will hold you tight and keep you warm. We’re in for a nasty crossing, but it is paradise for me. I am mad with the delight of having you here, holding you close to me, feeling you in my arms. The w’ilder the night the better, for I am wild with the joy of it all. I love you! I love you!” He strained her closer to him in a sort of paroxysm. She was quiet for a long time. Then she breathed into his ear; “You will never know how much I “Ts it true —is it a dream?” she sobbed. He dropped down beside her and gathered her in his strong, eager arms. You w r ere thinking of me, weren’t you? And reproaching yourself, and hating yourself for running away like this? I thought-so. Well, you might just as well try to dodge the smartest detective in the world as to give me the slip now, darling.” ou you spied on me?” she cried, in muffled tones. She lay very limp in his arms. “I did,” he confessed, without shame "Gad, when I think of what I might be doing at this moment if P hadn’t found you out in time! Think of me back there in London, racing about was longing tor you, just as you are now, Brando®, and in the midst of it all you came. It is like a fairy story, and oh, I shall always believe in fairies.” A long time afterward the throbbing ceased, bell-buoys whistled and clanged about them; the sea suddenly grew calm and lifeless; they slid over it as if it were a quavering sheet of ice; and lights sneaked out of the fog and approached with stealthy swiftness. Bells rang below and above them, sailors sprang up from everywhere and calls were heard below; the rattling of chains and the thumping of heavy luggage took the place of that steady, monotonous beat of the engines. People began to infest the deck, limp and groaning, harassed but voiceless. A mighty sigh seemed to envelop the whole ship—a sigh of relief. Then it was that these two arose stiffly from their sheltered bench and gave heed to the things that were about them. The chanhel was behind them (TO BE CONTINUED.)

She Stared at Him, Transfixed.