New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
NETWORK TRIBUNE ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT

let it down on the other side. a moment later 7
was IN the entrance TO the summer house
Save for the breathing of the sleeper the still
ness was almost painful II occurred TO me
ice 10 wonder what she would say if she found
me- L. ere, but I did not trouble 10 answer the
question. I had read cl similar cases before and
rNerythIng always came out nicely. OF course
she WOULD see at once the romance and beauty
oT the situation ! felt quite sure Of this when
l saw that the book before her was q volume Of
Tennyson. open at The Coming Of Arthur NV
own name Is Arthur-Harod Arthur Simpson.
She was absolutely charming. Beneath the
TahISh cap stray CuTls OF dark, glossy hair wan
G=Ted down 10 the graceful little ears and about
me ivory temples The cheeks were "a Their pale,
and the lips were closed Just trif4e too firmly
Tor perfect repose; but-but all that only seemed
10 increase the Charm QIQ not gaze too ear
testify fearing to disturb her. and presently took
up the other book which lay on the table. L
was morocco bound autograph album. with
The majority Of the leaves empty. ! turned them
silently. TO read q number Of unfamiliar names
and commonplace quotations While was do
ing this Z bright idea came TO me, full Of the
spirit Of romance l would write something IN
the album
As l searched for my pencil 7 decided what
this something should be. Finding a vacant
page I quickly drew upon il The outline Of
heart within this I wrote the name Arthur
When she avoke after I had gone she would find
this symbol and know that her prince had been
with her I would leave the book open at that
place.
Prince As 7 laid the book down another
thought flashed 10 my mind It made my heart
beat madly and sent the hot blood rushing 70
my cheeks Here was the Sleeping Beauty
here was the Prince There was one thing want
ing 10 make the story whole one thing.
Somehow I felt that il would not Waken her;
otherwise perhaps I should not have dared.
But her sIumbeT VAS sound and I was strung to
The highest pitch Of reckless excitement. No, 1t
would not waken her. II would be but d touch
was no difficulty whatever. for her face was
turned toward me. I rrerbied as ! bent down;
the fragrance Of her breath was in my face;
and then Il was just touch, and moth
ing more.
But il sent a tremor through her frame as
from a shock For a GREATNESS moment I stood
still behind her chair. and then 7 saw the mad
ness. the utter folly. Of what had done had
q vague thought Of police, and turned cold with
fear
But she did not wake. and passed out like
shadow. Some instinct Impelled ne 70 close that
awful album as I turned away. In another
three seconds. II seemed, had climbed the wait
ing ladder drawn it Up after me, and placed II
in its first position I was back IN Aunt Els
Tiers garden, tTemulous with mingled dread
and triumph.
Good heavens I said TO myself that was
the maddest thing a man ever did
I walked twice round the garden 10 quiet my
nerves and then went indoors With the relief
OF my sudden panic came the desire 10 know
more about my Sleeping Beauty. The romance
had begun well and now It should move Tor
ward. I had some twelve days IN which TO
EaturaIv I mad forgotten all about the thun-
derstorm; but now I found that it had passed
over without breaking The skies were clearer,
and my aunt had gone TO the kitchen to make
arrangements for luncheon. As soon as she
came back opened the subject
Aunt Esther" I said, whose is the garden
next TO yours? When I looked over the wall l
saw young woman sitting IN little summer
house. fast asleep
nv aunt seemed surprised. Asleep" she
said That Is strange. But It must have been
Mrs. Portiugdale."
Mrs Portingdale2" I gasped. Mrs
Yes said Aunt Esther quietly. She IS the
person I was about 10 tell you Of this morning.
When there IS thunder about she dare not stay
in the house. because there are 50 many steel
articles IL it. She goes tc that ridiculous niue
e-7r77e- house until the storm is over But she
could hardly have gone to sleep there she
would he TOO nervous
felt : horrible sensation Of pe"lIdernleA'-