The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-11-14


to her, were alike powerless 20 stiI
, chord Of joy and pain, except
through realization of her present
peril.
i A thousand runors she had heard
without needing thronged up now.
! She remembered hints thrown out
questions asked. "Who is he?" had
been the query. 1t was never an
sweFed Gale, springing from whence
no one knew, referring to no past,
had been tolerated, even lionizsd,
through his own assumption.
Nymphea saw his gaze wander
from her and rest upon the heap Of
glittering gems, saw the sordid light
ening of his eyes and the impatienee
stamped upon his features.
/ In the room beyond Gertie was
sleeping Her own empty apart
ment was opposite. The suit COM
prised wing, and long corridor
connected it with the center building.
She could summon no aid Only her
/ woman's wit to foil him.
She drew the vase with the came
las nearer to her, and bent her cheek
to touch them earessingly.
Beautiful flowers ~ she murmer-
ed, but never moved ber eyes from
bis mirrored face
His features sof.ened aud twitched
emotionally, but relaxed nothing Of
their resolute purpose. His own
feelings might prompt withdrawal
even yet, but the stronger power bad
him still in its clutches.
Nymphea stretched out her hand
and droppedit,a snowy covering over
the cleaning gems. She took them
up, one by one, clasping them on her
throat and arms, until she flashed
with a thousand tongues of reflected
light. She leaned forward. low
laugh ripping over her pale lips.
He had grown grim and keenly
watchful. She could never dare to
rise with that load upon her. One
by one she took them off again, aDd
swept them in a glittering heap.
Then she leaned her head upon her
hand, and, singing softly, kept her
eyes upon the glass.
Fcur strokes chimed Only a half
hour, and it seemed to her an eter-
nifty.
He was growing restless and sus-
picious. Nymphea felt sense of
deadening horror as she watched his
face take on a sullen, logged express
sion, which would admit of no mer-
ciful promptiDgs He thrust the car
taius half aside, as il to step into the
room.
She rose slowly, and he drew back
again. She moved about, singing
yet some opera air. She felt that a
crisis was coming soon, and she
was momentarialy growing powerless
to avert it. She approached the
open easement, looking out into the
still night.
Some one moved from the shad-
ows below, and her heart leaped
with renewed hope 1t was Rube-
faithful, disconsolate Rube, unable to
rest after bis grievous disappoint-
ment, taking chill comfort in watch
ing her light, and thinking himself re-
warded by having seen her shadow
on the blind an hour before.
She stretched out her hands to him
with a gesture imploring silence.
With him so near she realized safety,
bat how should she convey to him
knowledge of her position.
A providential remembrance came
to her. Gale Understood nothing of
Italian, as she happily knew. Form
ing her words into perfect rythm she
sang on, softly yet, but then with
startled comprehension. He signed
to her bis understanding, and then
darted away.
She drew back into the room, and,
with the assurance of speedy aid, felt
her strength deserving her. The al
cove curtains shook, and Gale, look
ing down, met the gaze she was pow
erless to withdraw. There was no
chance for further subterfuge. He
was her terror, and his purpose
wavered before his passion for her.
II was driven to this" he said ap-
preaching her; "but there is way
to cheat them vet, Nymphea. If you
will go with me | swear no harm
shall come to you, and my love shall
make you forget all this. viii you
90, sweet Z"
She shrunk back, wringing her
hands dumbly. Must she submit TO
the touch OF this MANI The plant
gold circlet he had placed upon her
finger parted under her clasp and fell
to the floor. The last semblanee Of
q tie between them was broken.
A second later the door was
thrown open, and she was caught in
Rnbe's arms. A stout servant or
TWO, hastily summoned, were pre-
pared for Gale, whose apprehension
was key to unravel score Of previ-
GUS mysteries. He was identified as
the Infamous hero of many dark ad-
ventures, and is now paying the pen
atty OF his crimes and regretting the
plot defeated through his very weak
ness.
The Eyesisht.