New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-22

ny FRANCES POWELL
tcoryrlsh,. 1908. by Charles scriDner'. sOn.J

into fists. prayed 70 God for help, butt
thought OF my father and Nemesis
With air OF insOlent triumph. the hooking
smile still curving his full lips Philip moved
slowly toward me, with the easy grace OF a
wild beast AS he approached l watched him.
waiting till his foot should touch a line the
marble floor that marked the proper distance.
It did so. 1 sprang forward and struck him.
with my left. where the ribs curve from the
breastbone. Being unexpected the blow served
its purpose bringing his head forward, and
, with lightning swiftness down crashed Nemesis
upon his forehead. Without word OF groan he
fell, limp and senseless. at my feet
turned 20 Randall. and. searching through
his pockets. found the key OF the door in the
boundary wall Slipping It into ny bosom and
drawing off my slippers. lest the click OF their
heels on the marble floor should betray NE,
stole out into the night.
No sentinel was on guard-Philip had been SO
sure Of his own strength. I closed the library
window noiseelessly behind me, and dropping
from the veranda. was swallowed UP by the fog.
I drew my long train over one arm. with the
other 1 felt my way cautiously through the
darkness. 1 was going 70 Mr. Beverley.
Broad bands Of light streamed from the
kitchen windows. cutting their way through
the fog like the solid ray from dark lantern
and made the surrounding gloom sti1l blacker
The servants were feasting in honor Of their
masters wedding. I kept carefully away from
these bars OF brightness ana at last my shoeless
feet touched the gravel Of the path. Slowly I
made my way through the wet pail Of darkness
70 the spot where the path divided To the
right it led upward TO Nfadan's grave. 70 the
| left downward to the boundary wall As I
turned follow this last I thought heard foot
| steps far behind me. some one coming rapidly
along the path. 1 listened I held my breath
Yes. there could be no mistake was pursued.
Sick with despair. l left the path Holding
| my arm before my face. to protect IL from TOO
/ sudden contact with the trees. thrust my feet
| in their thin silk stockings. almost dercely fin
among the ferns, seeking way between The
| rocks Ny arm struck suddenly against a tree
| its rough bark Shiny with moisture. 1 crept
around its great trunk. and. crouchiug. felt
about me for a loose stone or jagged bit OF rock
with which 10 defend myself: but nv cropping
| fingers touched only damp EARTH wet moss
| Shiny tree roots. And stiII the steps came on.
Ny heart beat so violently the air seemed filed
| with the noise Of its throbbiug Then. through
| this sound. one penetrated which brought the
4 blood TO my face with rush. an odd scuff-
scufing, slovenly trot upon the gravel II was
| Don,
For few moments after the dog. whining
with delight had found me. felt only pleasure
= in his coming. then remembered he might but
I serve a chain TO drag me back Who had
4
q time had passed since 1 left him. he might
not be dead. Never before had ] struck % kill
4 so could not know. but my blow had been one
10 stun, for hour at least. Those who were
\ using Don were the servants This thought
/ Slapped my strength I no longer felt az when
| facing Philip indOmitabIe, invinCble. Then 1
/ had first given Randall his chance 20 defend me
! because it was his duty. I had dealt him strict
/ justice. knowing that should he fail I could
protect myself. I was Athena Derohau-yes,
| even Pallas Athena. Ncv--
| L strained my ears to hear each sound. my
arms clasped tight around the dogs great Shout
/ ders. my cheek against him. caressinE him to
| silence. The moisture from some over-bur-
| dened leaf fell. now and again. upon the bald
| surface Of rock hard by. The feathered in
| mate Of a neighboring nest stirred. with gen
| tie futter OF soft wings, into still deeper re-
! pose. Save for these woodland sounds deep
| quiet was everywhere. Ny Don had come alone.
I rose 10 my feet. and holding fast his col
| lar stumbled through the awful darkness back
! to the path. Slowly the dog close beside me.
I reached at last the door, unlocked it. and
| passed through. Gathering a handful Of mud
and gravel I stuffed the keyhole. Should any
| follow they would find the lock hampered. Then.
| still clinging 10 my companion, I recommended
my Hegiru. The path sIoped downward sharp
J ". heard below me the musical song Of q
brook. This we crossed by q rustic bridge and
| found, just beyond. flight Of steps leading
upward. once these were mounted 1 knew I
should strike the avenue leading 70 the Towers.
Thank God, I should soon be safe, was half
way up them. when DOn slipping. lurched heav-
| lily against me. I put out my hand in search
OF something to save me. and, finding nothing,
crashed down through trees and Underbrush 10
| the border Of the brook The dog fell with and
on me. l lost consciousness.
The first thing I felt was Dons nose against
my cheek I opened my eyes-blackness every
where The dog began TO lick my face 1 tried
10 rise. y sickening pain shot through me- and
the darkness was suddenly dazzling with flashes
OF yellow light. I sank back. suppressir.s a
groan. 1 had twisted my ankle. The fall had
| Ioosened my hair. 1t hung, a sodden mass. over
my bare shoulders. II seemed a part OF the
darkness that blinded me. Of the fog that was
smothering me. 1 gasped for breath. Should
I ever reach Beverley Towers?
There came a sharp sound through the night
the piercing Shrek OF a locomotive. Then.
with rumble and roar. the train swept by, on
the track not far below. Telling myself that
il was the night express. that midnight had