The Irish standard., 1892-10-29

nevertheless.
By and by | fancied sound came q
sound from somewhere within the house.
It was very faint sound and did not
come again, but it was such as might
have been caused by the light pressure
of foot in one Of the passages outside.
Lnstinctively reached forth my hand
and laid hold of my revolver, but / did
not rise from the bed nor otherwise alter
my position. still lay as if asleep, with
the revolver in one hand, the other
beneath my head and my eyes fixed upon
the edge of the door, which was obscure
ly visible in the mirror.
Several minutes passed thus, and there
was no return Of the noise. Then l saw
the handle of the door move and turn
The latch clicked slightly; the door,
boIted though it was, opened as If on
oiled hinges, admitting an indistinct
figure in a long robe of soft gray. So
much | saw in the mirror. Then the
door was closed again and the figure,
advancing toward the bed, ceased to be
reflected in the glass. 1t advanced close
to the bed. and paused there moment;
could hear it's deep, regular breathing.
All this time had not moved, but lay
with my back turned, feigning slumber.
Presently the figure passed around the
foot Of the bed. and came up the other
side. The full white light of the moon
fell upon it. 1t was Kate, as | had
known it was from the first moment she
entered the ROOM. She was clad in a
dressing gown Of soft flowing material,
which was fastened at the throat and
trailed on the ground. 1t had wide
sleeves, one Of which fell back from the
bare, smooth arm and hand that carried
a lamp. The lamp was not lighted.
Her black hair hung down on her
shoulders, and on each side of her pale
face. Her eyes were wide open, but
fixed and vacant Her breathing was
long and measured, as of one sound
asleep. FLIP
She put the lamp down on the table
beside mine, and then stood quite still III
the moonlight, her face wholly express
sionless and without motion. It was an
appalling thing to see her thus. |, too,
remained motionless, but it was because
l knew not what to do. TO awaken her
might bring on the worst consequences.
If she were not disturbed, she might
possibly retire as quietly and uncon-
sciously as she had come. But the mys~
terry of her being there at all appeared
utterly inexplicable. What had led her,
in her trance, to visit my room? How had
she ever known where it was? What
had she dreamed of doing here, and
above all how had she ,contrived to
enter through bolted door with as
much ease as though she had been a
spirit? Perhaps this was but spirit
or phantom Of my own brain! Was
awake?
She stretched out her hand, not fol-
lowing its motion with her eyes, but
mechanically. and, as it were, involun-
tarily She laid it ON my coat-on the
pocket which contained the diamonds.
Then slowly and deliberately, and still
with averted face and eyes and that long
drawn, slumberous breathing, she I'M
buttoned the fastenings one after one,
and her soft, tapering fingers closed upon
the case.
Meanwhile my mind had been rapidly
canvassing all the pros and cons of ac-
ton; and had come to the conclusion
that it would be better for her that !
should interfere. OF my personal inter-
est in the matter believe that did not
think; indeed, knowing that the dia-
monds would not be lost, there was no
reason why should. But it would not
do to risk compromising Kate. It was
dangerous enough that she should be
here at all, but that she should carry
away the diamonds with her was mad
MISSILE. rose from my bed and laid
my hand gently on her wrist.
She was no spirit, but warm flesh and
blood For a few moments the restraint
in which held her seemed to battle and
distress her; fancied could feel her
pulse beat under my fingers; . kind Of
spasm crossed her face, her eyelids quiv-
cred and the eyes moved in their sockets.
Then her breathing became irregular
and caught in her throat in kind of
sob The moment of awakening was
evidently at hand, and dreaded its
coming, lest she should scream out and
rouse the house. But fortunately she
uttered no sound. Slowly speculation
grew within her eyes; she fixed them on
me. first with an expression of strange
pleasure, soon changing to bewilder-
ment and fear. Then with a cry that
was none the less, thrilling because it
was whisper she dropped forward into
my arms. II was a delicious moment
for all its peril.
ION are perfectly safe, " whispered
in her ear; '.only make no noise.
.sTom,r she said, suddenly freeing her
self from my arms and putting q hand
on either shoulder, while her wild, black
eyes searched my face, t.you understand
you don't think - 49,
''Of course understand, my poor
darling!
.e7hat shall / dowhat shall ! DO?
Let me M myself
|sIa.. 70 be Continued.