Idaho Springs siftings., 1903-10-10

arose with the comb in her hand. her
hair falling around her. her eyes dark
as though tears were in them. her
lips shut close. As she turned her
eyes toward the bed she met fun in
hers the weak gaze of her father.
Only for a moment. however. for the
eyes closed almost Immediately as
though the light hurt them. but in
that moment Dolores once more faced
his soul with hers.
Once more ber father opened his
eyes and looked first at the doctor.
then at her At the doctors sugges-
tion she spoke TO him,
Father" she said. slowly. that he
might understand Father"
But the eyes resting on her face had
no gieam OF pleasure at seeing her
there; rather II might be said there
was a 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. nunwiddie said.
by and by, AS he sat by the window
eating the supper Mrs. Allen had
brought him. Il told You the other day
that II was possible your father would
not recover. do You remember"
She bowed her head Ia acquiesoence
but did not speak.
My dear Miss Johnson" the doc
tors voice was grave. but there was
ring In It. a hidden note that struck
her car as unusual. My dear Miss
Johr son. I believe | am safe in saying
that your father VIII sleep through
the night 4 natural. quiet slnmber.
without the aid Of opiates. and II he
does he VIII recover. lie will be lame
always; he viii not have quite his old
strength, but 'lfc viii live and be much
his old self again"
The grave. attentive face at the
head Of the bed changed not at all.
though the drawn expression disap-
peared from around the mouth. aud
the eyes were clear and level in their
gaze.
For a moment DIR. Dunwiddie was
uncertain whether or not the girl was
glad of the news. She gave no sign.
and said not a word, but stood grave.
and stately. and womanly. with the
shadows OF the night gathering
saround her. stealing along the bed.
across the face Of the sleeper, and up
and up pstoward her face
Suddenly they clutched at her
throat. tightening their hold. like iron
bands. ever contracting. growing
firmer. unyielding: thousand iron
hands were on her, a thousand elish
voices. shrill and wild and weird.
filled thb corners of the room. the
house; filled the darkness. crowding
IL upon her. till II seemed as though
she were suffocating. till ii seemed as
though she would die. Loud and weird
and sterrible they We're to her. filing
her ears. shouting of the evil that had
cfEpe through hatred and malice. and
~ what would follow upon so evil
'1ted. The hands were Tightening their
s4old. they were struggling one with
another. for the pastery; dozen
hands were torn from her throat only
10 be instantly replaced by others
stronger and frusr. She caught al
them. and struggled. .---a,sfs- fa1xxt
against them. but she dared nog cry
for help. This that she was suffering
no ofs nS9st krlaSss1they would know
soon enoBah every one
X,J1s. xy1tns grew wilder about her:
,alAsG Aeheuted in elfish glee; their
words ran ip together unmeaningIy
except one ~ tixeisjss101ate0s61f ear,
that whispered. with deadly meaning:
When your father Is well enough
to prove-to prove
Then slowly she came out Of this