The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-23

f. Knocked: no answer. knocked
loudly: I beat the panels with my open
hands; I even used the toe OF my boot.
But there came no petter OF feet. no un-
drearily for moment and then all was
still.
And now the fear which had already
seized me paralyxed for moment or
two both limbs and intellect. and a hor-
ror of which could not grasp the mean
ing turned me cold 10 the finger tips.
seemed intuitivelyt TO guess that was face
20 face with some dire calamity, and yet
could form no conception OF what II
really was. ! only know that my inner
eye gazed upon an inner chaos. and that
the sight was so appalling that ff froze
every drop OF blood In my veins. My
uncle's voice calling awoke me from the
stupor, and like one In a dream ] moved
TO complete the circuit OF tho house. But
as ] passed the sculiery window I mo-
ticed that II was not locked. though II
had been fastened tightly. The catch.
pressed against the pane, was plainly vi
sible above the sash. I leaned against
the sill and raised the window. and in a
voice which startled even myself. Il was
so full Of fear cried out: Mother.
motheri Janet. Janet" But never a sound
came. back. Then q dreadful shudder-
ing seized me. and felt the nerves tingle
right up my back 20 my brain. Had
seen a ghost on q dark night could not
have been smitten with greater dread.
Keeling back made my way round TO
the front Of the house and tried to cry
out 70 my uncle. bdt my tongue olave
to the roof OF my mouth. felt as though
/ should never speak again
''Oood heavens. Davie," he cried. seeing
my white face. what is tho matter with
your" and almost before ! knew what
had happened he had sprung from the
cart. opened the gate and was holding my
face up 10 his.
Speak ladi" he continued excitedly. MS
face full OF anxiety. What has hap
pened1 What have you seen?"
Nothing" said. But they do not
answer-and the scullery window Is
OPEN"
Realizing at once the importance Of
this apparently trivial statement. ne
dashed round 20 the back of the house,
at his heels He knocked as did. hut
with like result He shouted through
the open window, but only the echo OF
his voice came back, and this smote upon
his heart and lined with anxiety his face.
"Davie," he said. II fear something has
happened Don't blub.' as I clutched
him by the arm and turned terrified
face up to his. 1T may be nothing much.
We shall see. Are you afraid TO go
through that window and open the back
door for me?"
was, burt / had some pride. 30
gasped out mo"
GOOD lad" and he patted me encour-
agingly on the back. Come here and
will help you. There's nothing to be
afraid Of" he added consolingly. Your
mother and the gir have evidently gone
out together. We will get i'm and watt
until they return Now. then, one, two
and up.
The window was some five feet from
III. n Ill.
scrambled across the sill and peered inlo
the room. Reassured by what I saw
which was the scullery In its usual stare
OF perfect tidiness. I got through the
window with little difficulty and let my
self down upon the table which stood be-
meath. Then, with nothing more than a
hurried glance about me, / dashed
through the kitchen. out into the passage
and opened the back door. My Uncle Jim
Immediately entered.
For a moment he seemed TO hesitate
looking about him for some sign or token
Then he went along the passage to the
front OF the house calling loudly but re-
ceiving no reply sprang 10 the stairs and
without a word mounted to my mothers
room. Arriving there. he stopped fog u
moment or two and contemplated hi-
closed door; then he knocked gently
thereon No reply coming he knocked
louder, louder, and then he turned the
handle.
Peeping behind him, saw that the
room was still shrouded In gloom the
blinds being closely drawn. He called her
by name, but his voice sounded hollow
and ghostly as Il circled round and round
the oppressive chamber. No sound came
from the bed. no movement He turned
and drew up the blind and let a food or
light into the dark room, and as IL III
up tho bed, saw II fall upon a tress OF
my mothers hair. which dropped back
over the pillow. She was ying there en-
Neloped In the counterpane. her form
clearly outlined beneath the clothes; but
she was 30 still, SO dreadfully still.
Uttering an involuntary cry I sprang
across TO her. and before my uncle could
prevent IL / had snatched the covering
from her head. A ghastiy white face
met me, two vague. distorted eyes stared
up into mine-eyes In which glared too
plainly the hideous placidity OF death.
she is dead" I walled, "she Il dead. {"
and. unable 20 look death In the face, I
fell upon my knees by the bed and buried
my face In my hands.
Presently my uncle touched me on tho
shoulder AsrI looked up at him with
blurred eyes II seemed 10 me that his
erstwhile Jovial face was ghastiy with
pain or rage.
do, you know what has happened? %
ne said. his voice cold and cutting as
death Itself And not waiting for an an
swer ne at once replied to his own query,
"Your mother has been murdered!"
Murdered" I gasped
Yes. murdered he repeated Look
Don't be afraid, she cannot hurt you.
Look--and remember"
lie drew me close to the head OF the
bed. and once more I gazed upon the
deathly pale face. the distorted eyes,
which, seen through mist OF tears.
were awful IN the extreme As stared
down at the pale face I could not quite
realize that this was death or what death
really was, but vague. sickentne sense
of loss numbed all my energies and filled
the world with n vague desolation. 10
was the first time had gazcd upon
death. and ] tried to learn Its meaning.
She was there. my mother, the sweet soul
I had known 80 long. had loved 40 dearly.
Save for that unwonted pallor. those fixed
eyes, there was no difference IN her. Yet