Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-20
A NOTABLE BID.

10 lorraCOtt, SUNK IN MS extreme ucloy
lion, time had passed like bird on the
wing, and he was already within eyeshot of
his house, but now the passage of those
footsteps in his wake reused in him a Ger.
tain vague wonder. He realized that they
had seemed to pursue him for some time
down the solitary streets, and a little be
yond his doorway he halted in the dark
ness. and turning awaited curiously the APP
proach of his follower. From his post he
saw figure in evening dress pierce the
darkness, move sharply into the lamplight
and run lightly up the steps of his own por-
tco.
Struck with an amazed alarm, he watched
the man insert passkey in the lock, and
ppcning the door vanish without a sound
Into the region beyond The door clicked
behind the invader and Derracott was left
staring.
This, then was to be his welcome from
journey so dismal and in a mood so desper-
ate. Had he come upon the morrow, as he
had anticipated, this house had been smil-
ing for him, his wife bright with a false
radiance.
But the miscalculation of one day had
sufliced to rob him of this decent refuge,
and plunged into debt, imbittered with fail
ure, there was now no longer, as it seemed,
age to inspire and strengthen. And yet of
her at least he had been certain, though his
world else was rumbling in his ears. His
gaze besiegcd the house as though to teal
the walls asunder and peer into its shame
full secret.
His blood ran now at n charge. Walking
precpitately across the road, he marched
up the steps with a humping heart. As
he closed the door the dark silence of the
hall dropped like cloak upon him. His
feet made no sound upon the heavy carpet.
In his own house he stole with the air and
cunning of a thief
At the top of the first flight he stopped
moment before his wifes drawing room,
raped gently with his knuckles and opened
the door slowly.
The room glowed in soft, red light,
which illuminated also two stricken faces
in the background The man had risen to
his feet and clutched the back of a high
chair, his eyes set hard upon the incomer
But it was upon the woman that Derra-
rott's glance fell first. She kept her seat
crouched in the hollow of a large armchair,
he" face rigid to the lips, her chin witch
ing to her short breaths, her eyes wild and
staring Mortal terror never sat upon fea-
tilr,s 80 spectral: meaningless noises issued
from hcr mouth. DerracOtt, his cheeks
b,HncAed, his muscles strung as upon wires,
stepped into the room and upon this COM
pGnN.
81 have surprised you, my dear" he said
uuic;Iv. All, Iiarlandn' and he nodded to
the man.
The woman gave him no answer, but Har-
land lifted his hand from the chair, sank
into seat and laughed with uneasy harsh
ness
Yes" he returned, I'm afraid Mrs Der
racott is startled. She I'd no notion you
were away and looked in a few minutes ago
to see if you'd give me a game"
Il saved n day. and SO I'm here" ex-
planned Derracott. He stood before the fire
and warmed his hands, his white face
stopped to the blaze. The woman recovered
herself with a short, indrawn gasp, rose
and moved uncertainty toward him.
why, Teddy" said she TREMENDOUSLY,
"you have given me IA start. But you've
got your coat on" and she laid a hand
upon his shoulder
He turned about, but his eye avoided her
Yes" said he, II was going to ask you
whether you would allow me to disrobe in
your boudoir."
She laughed Historically.
TEDDY, of counsel" she cried and fetched
up in spasm of silence.
He pulled off his overcoat deliberately
and turned again to the fire without a
glance at his companions. He had to them
the look Of preoccupation. The silence
struck fear into the others and presently
drove Harland to speech.
YOU'RE not very lively, old fellow" he
said, with elaborate cheerfuluess; had a
bad journey"
Derracott turned at last; his brain was
moving
NO" he replied after pause and with
painful deliberations pretty fair, but am
somewhat tired. had long day yester-
day"
Poor Teddyl' said his wife caressingly
and put out a frightened hand to him.
For the first time since that exchange of
glances upon his entrance Derracott's eyes
rested momentarily upon her face. An OBJ
scure and furtive terror fingered there, and
as his gaze dwelt steadily upon her flashed
swiftly into open panic. Her head dropped
slightly forward, poised over against him
as bird before serpent; his glance passed
on and touched the man. liarland was
lingering his mustache. He pulled out his
watch. "By Joven' he exclaimed; "I'd no
notion it was so late, Mrs. Derracott, you
must forgive me. Well, old chap" and he
made as though to rise, you're too tired |
suppose, to have game, so I'll be off,
won't keep you up"
} Derracott's muscles softened. His body
breathed with warm life again.
mot yet" he said. "Tll give you game
before you go. Only my wife had better go
TO bed. Come, Lucy, it's beyond your hour. "
The woman, strengthening herself in her
chair, regarded them both with frantic eyes
Terror had sat upon her visage since last
her husband had looked upon her. She rose
with difficulty and opened her mouth. Some
cry hung unuttered on that tongue; some
prayer was contained inarticulate behind
those scarlet, trembling lips.
She moved mechanically to Harland, with
an outstretched hand, stopped, sighed deep
ly and left the room without word. Har-
land, from the edge of his seat, watched his
host with doubt, but the gray face of the
latter and his yelled eyes spoke of nothing
but great WEAKNESS.
"We will drink first" he said.
He filled two glasses. from the decanter