Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-12-21
NoRA,s 1Esr
Prom
Darkness
To Light

BY MARY CECIL HAY

and near 1t Mr.. Poynz sat writing at
the unsteady old table, on which two
lighted candles stood. Never had there
been such blaze Of light in the gloomy
room, either through Col. 1t. Georges
occupation OF Travecrc. or since his death
never until this night, when the light
was to guide the murderer.
Mark had turned aside from the table.
and had his pen idle 10 his hand, when
the door was quietly opened and Nora
came in-camc In just rs il it were
natural thing for her to visit him alone,
after darkness had fallen on the world
without. But. though her ease was so
pretty. he could see that she only main.
tanned it by great effort. and that her
face was white and her eyes troubled.
With a great gladncss in his eyes, he
had risen IN the first moment; hut the
gladness rapidly gave way to apprchen-
sion.
"Fm-plcase don't ask me what Is the
matter. Mr.. Poynz." Nora said. hurrying
over the words. Every one is we'll ut
the vicaragc--I am quite well-nothing
has happened. Please understand all that.
and don't question me tonight. Am
come to pay you a call. | have called
upon you--isn't that the right expression
In society! Please say you are glad to
see me-
II am very glad to see you" Mark
said. doing his best TO hide his surprise,
and pretending not to see the shy. panied
color that had rushed into her face. II
was only beginning to wish that had
made Traveere more comfortable. This
| L. hn Nr, 4 k,. bnr
But l am expecting Doyle tonight; and
he must have been detained, for I sent
to summon him long ago. wish to see
him here. else | should probably have
been at the vicarage or Fintona tonight.
l am at your service. Miss 1t. George. l
will go home with you whenever you
WISH"
Thank YOU" she returned. simply. II
will tell You when am ready. They
don't know am here. ] cannot tell you
why I came--until tomorrow; but you
trust me, don't your
Trust yOu" lle echoed, his warm eyes
full OF amusement us well as Of utter
confidence In her. II should-no. l will
be like yourself. and tell you tomorrow.
Wait, Miss st. George, and leo me close
It,"
This he added because she glanced TO.
| ward the open window aud shivercd u
little.
"No--no. please" she said. rs she In.
| terccpted him. Il like to do II. could
fancy" she went on. without lowering
her voice. as she stood alone In the mar
row aperture. that was living here still
with grandpa. 1t IL just ~ quiet as II
used to be. No one ever used to come
to Traveere-after dark
mot even DR.. Armstrong;" questioned
Mark. lightly. wondering why she made
It impossible for him to stand beside her
ut the window and look out with her into
the darkness. Come to the fire. Miss
vt. George; You have grown chilly"
EYES," she said, turning readily. "lt
you will lead the way, will follow"
lie laughed quite heartily then, ~ hc
crossed the room to the hearth; but, when
she literally followed him and stood be-
side him there-still between him and the
unshuttered window--a vague, uneasy
feeling grew upon him that something
must be amiss with her. Could she be-
suffering from any nervous. Rirlish Mt.
scenes Of her lonely youthy
hesitation. though she did not know her.
| self what words she was going to utter,
Twill you please allow me. for just this
| one evening. To fancy myself ut home
here again, doing Us l like, ana going
where ] likey And will you do rs l ask
you--just this oncey'
"YOu nre sure you will claim the priv.
ilcge only just this once?" he asked, try
Ing to decide that some unexpected trou.
bic or pain had upset her. ".rhen
think l may safely promise. VIII you
stir the fire, Miss 81. George? You un.
derstaxGi turf fire 50 much better than
l do"
| "rhank you," she said. not for that
proposal, but because she saw now that
he would understand and not question
or doubt her. 1T Is very dark. isn't it,
Did you notice how suddenly 1t grew
dark tO.nighty'
"NO; but then ! have been sitting here
all the evening. NO Ne twilight seemed
long to me-"
II will sit down. Mr.. Poynx." she said.
"Of course ! must take seat, US l am
paying you u call. Please be very on.
PERTAINING. YOu were writing, weren't
you, when ! came int Then would yo,,
mind lending me u book to read while
YOU go on with your writingT'
lis II that what you wish?" asked
Mark. cleverly once again hiding his sur
prise. "'rhcn where win you sit!"
As he carried the chair. she walked
with him up to the seat he had been Oc-
cupying all the evening, and. with her
back to the window, directed him, laugh.
ingly, how to place hers; aud, when he
had done her bidding, smiling little
himself. too, she sat down on her high.
uncomfortable chair, in the direct line
from the window, while he sat writing
busily beyond her, prcoccupied by his
work, as 1t seemed to her. And beyond
the unshuttcred window-against which
the darkness lay like u sable curtain.
and toward which Nora tried never once
to glance-Shan Corr crouched. with his
loaded rifle against his shoulder, waiting
just for that clear aim which should
make seconds work cifectual.
Once Mark put down his pen and rose
to replenish the fire. hut the moment he
did ~ Nora uttered u little exclamation
of delight, and came up eagerly to show
him passage In her book. As she read
II to him. standing close beside him, he
watched her with scrutiny which was
almost painful; hut no suspicion could
live In her presence, and no mystery In
her coming could. after all, make her
companionship anything but II joy to
him.
| ~ suppose, Miss st. George" he said,