The national leader., 1889-03-02
He looked curiol


the low sill into the room.
His foot fell soundlessly upon vel
vet carpet, and in the dim light he
| could see that the articles of furniture
were massive and rich.
All was perfectly still-not a sound
bnt the soft swaying of the lace cur
tains In the draft, and the noises of the
city's streets.
What chance for a burglarl But
Larry thought of anything but burg
larry.
Ihe house, closed from the sun and
heated air, was deliciously cool; there
was the faint scent of perfume in the
room, and through the glass doors of
bookcase he caught the gleam of gilded
volumes.
What alluring treat was this spread
before him? Hours Of leisure, COM
fort, enjoyment, amid the most con-
genial surroundings. If he only dared
stay awhile. how delightfully."- he could
pass away the time!
Courage grew upon him as he linger-
ed about. He picked up a book, and
with difficulty traced the title.
1t was new novel he had lOnged for
opportunity to read.
What harm if he stayed an hour and
read? 1t would injure no one, and the
time would otherwise be spent i'll dull
endurance.
lie waited a little. Then there was
a German student-lamp on little mar
bic table at his side, and he quickly
lighted it.
1t was in an alcove and he did not
think the illumination would be noticed
from the outside.
lie had fallen into a most enjoyable
perusal of lis book, lying back in
luxurious chair, his feet on velvet
foot-reSt, when the sound of a silvery
voice on the sidewalk reached his ear
The color slowly crept out of Larry's
young cheek as he listened, for it was
the voice of the girl be had loved secret
ly for long year, keeping his love a
secret almost from himSelf-the girl of
gay city life, whom he had known as a
boarder near his home the previous
season, and whose elegance and viva
city had made the dull farm life dis
tasteful to him.
He sat as if under a spell.
''Are you not afraid?'' he heard an
other voice say.
sob, nol'' answered Helen Denbigh.
II always stay here, when | come IN,
whether Uncle Arthur's family are in
town or not. Good-night.''
His deep emotion was changed to a
feeling of beWilderment as he suddenly
heard the hall door close, with the
quick click of the lock, and fleet step
on the staircase.
AS quickly as possible he extinguish-
ed the light and sprang to the window;
but it was the wrong one, and was
closed.
He had time only to let the lace cur
tains fall over him, and then stood per-
fectly quiet.
Helen Denbigh crossed the room
with an unerring step and lighted the
student lamp Larry had just extin-
guiShed.
Then, standing IN the centre of the
apartment, she removed her hat and
mantle, showing, by its light, what
| lovely and graceful girl she was.
She went into the adjoining room,
and he could hear her moving about
what seemed to be toilet articles. He
could smell cologne and ammonia. He
judged it was sleeping-room.
By-and-by-She came back more slow
| ly and sat down in an easy-chair. Her
back was toward the open window; she
did not notice it; and it soon became
apparent that she was preoccupied with
| her own feelings.
She hid her brow with her hand for
awhile, and then threw herself back in
her CHAR with a langushing air, and
her couutenance Was deathly pale.
1t was evident that the young lady
was becoming very i'll. She moved
restl -sSly, signed and moaned frequent
ly, and at last rose and walked the floor,
breathing with difficulty, and pressing
her hands upon the pit of her stomach.
Tie unbidden guest behind the cur
tains watched her with the deepest con-
cern. He forgot to fear exposure for
himself.
At length the sick girl looked at her
watch.
ELEVEN o'clockl'' she moaned,
throwing herself into a chair. II dare
not 60 out, and l shall die here! Oh, 1
am in such distress!"
Her cOuntenance was ghastly; her
| means became sharper
Larry dared not hesitate longer.
t'Do not be frightenedl' he said,
speaking with studied gentleness. Il
will go for physician for you."
And then he stepped forward and
picked up his hat from beneath chair
where it had fallen
He hoped Miss Denbigh would not
know him-for how would he explain
lis intrusion?
Let her think what she might, so
that she did not recognize him, and he
procured for her the assistance she
needed.
So, averting his face with care, he
passed the aStonished girl, went down
stairs and out at the hall door.
He was certain he must have added
terror to her sufferings, but in IA hea-
and hurry he stumbled across the
street, rang up a doctor, and sought
his own Premises in tumult of feel
| ing.
Though he did not know the doctor,
he chanced to know that he was a
friend OF the Denbighs, and he was sure
Helen was in good hands.
He was consumed with anxiety, yet