Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-10-09


that moment Dolores once more faced
his soul with hers.
Once more her father opened his
eyes and looked hTst at the doctor.
then at her. At the doctors susscs-
tion she spoGe to him.
Father" she said. slowly. ,ha, he
might understand. Father
but the eyes resting on her face had
no CLEAN OF pleasure at seeing her
was n fash Of hatred there as In the
old days. Then they dropped again
and closed, and presently his breath
ing indicated that he slept.
Miss Johnson" DR.. DunwiddIc said.
by and by. as he sat by the window
eating tho supper Mrs. Allen had
brought him. Il told you the other day
that Il was possible your father would
not recover: do you remember
She bowed her head In acauIcsecncc
but did no; speak.
My dear Miss Johnson" the doc
tors voice was grave. but there was n
ring In IT, hidden note that struck
her car as unusual. My dear Miss
johnson. l believe am safe in saying
that your father will sleep through
the night a natural. quiet slumbcr.
without the aid OF oplatcs. and II he
does he will recover. lie will be lame
always: he will not have quite his old
strength. but he will live and be much
his old sclf again.
The grave. attentive face at the
head OF the bed changed not at all.
though the drawn expression dlsap-
pcaTcd from around the mouth. and
the eyes were clear and level in their
gaze.
For a moment DR.. Dunwiddie was
uncertain whether or no, the sirl was
glad of the news. She gave no sign.
and said no, a word. but stood grave.
and stately, and womanly. with the
shadows OF the night gathering
around her. stealing along the bed.
across the face OF the sleeper. ana up
and mp toward her face.
suddenly they clutchcd at her
throat. tightening their hold. like iron
bands, ever contracting. growing
Hrmcr. unyieldlng: thousand iron
hands were on her. thousand elfish
voices, shrill and Wild and weird.
filled the corners OF the room. tho
house: filled the darkness. crowding
II upon her. till II seemed as though
she were sufocating. till II seemed as
though she would die. Loud and weird
and terrible they were TO her. filing
her ears. shouting OF the evil that had
come through hatred and malice. and
OF what would follow upon so evil
deed. The hands were Tightening their
hold. they were struggling one with
another for the mastery: a dozen
hands were torn from her throat only
to be instantly replaced by others
stronger and iiTmcr. She caught Mt
them, and struggled. she fought
against them, but she dared not cry
for help. This that she was suffering
no one must know: they would know
soon enough-eycry one.
The voices grew wilder about her;
they yshouted in elnsh glee; their
words ran in together unmeaningly
except one or two close to her ear.
that whispered. with deadly meaning:
when your father is well enough
| to prove-to prove"
Then slowly she came out of this
babal OF noises; they grew fainter and
fainter. and died away among the
| pines: the hands about her throat re-
! laxed. She looked around to see II
she were safe: she was dazed. bewil-
| dered. but her one thought was that
no one must know. Some one spoke
to her. and she looked UP steadily.
Crowding down the dumb terror in
her heart. DR.. Dunwiddlc was stand.
ing beside her with his hand on her
arm.
Mrs. Allen" he said. quietly. you
will talic my place for few minutes
Miss johnson must breathe some of
this pure, sweet air after the storm"
He opened the door and stepped
down ON the doorstone. with Dolores
standing listlessly in the doorway.
never showing that he had seen the
Hitting expression of--was 1t triumph? !?
ON the womnn's face as she passed
into the silent bedroom.
"EDw pleasant everything is after
the storm" said DR.. Dunwlddie. with
a smile, as he entered the house a few
minutes later. Adding to himself as
he re.entered the room beyond:
1T was over.fatigue. and shall not
happen again. And think you will
bear watching, as well as some others,
Mrs. Allen