The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-24
THE WOMAN IN WHITE
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.
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He turned to the easement window 10
show me that Il was wide open. Ths door
OF the lantern came loose from it's fasten-
Ing as he swsyed II around, and the wind
blew the candle out instantly.
Get another light" / said. 'and let
us both go to the vestry together Quick
quick!"
hurried him into the house. The
treachery that had every reason 10 ex-
pect. the treschery that might deprive
me OF every advantage I had gained, was
at that moment perhaps. In process or
accomplishment. My impatience TO
reach the church was so great. that 1
could not remain inactive In the cottage
while the clerk lighted the lantern again.
! walked out. down the garden path,
into the lane.
Before | had advanced ten PAGES, a
man approached me from the direction
leading to the church. He spoke re-
spectfuly as we met. | could not see
his face; but judging by his voice only.
he was a perfect stranger TO me.
II beg your pardon. Sir Percival-" he
began.
l stopped him before he could say
more.
The darkness misleads you" l said.
II am not SIR Percival"
The man drew back directly.
II thought IL was my master" he
muttered. in a confused, doubtful way.
You expected 10 meet your master
here7"
IL was told 10 wait In the lane"
With that answer he retraced his steps.
] looked back at the cottage, and saw
the clerk coming out. with the lantern
lighted once more. ! took the old mans
arm TO help him on the more quickly.
We hastened long the lane, and passed
the person who had accosted me. As
well as could see by the light OF the
lantern, he was a servant out OF livery.
Who's that" whispered the clerk.
Does he know anything about the
keys7"
I'VE won't wait TO ask him. I replied.
I'VE will 60 on TO the vestry first"
The church was not visible. even by
daytime. until the end OF the lane was
reached. As we mounted the rising
ground which led 10 the building from
that point. one OF the village children--a
boy--came close up to US, attracted by
the light we carried, and recognized the
clerk.
II say. measter." said the boy, pulling
offieiously at the clerks coat there be
un lock the door on hisself--I heerd un
strike a loight wi a match
The clerk trembled. and leaned against
me heavily.
Come, Gomez said. encouragingly.
I'VE are not too late. We will catch
the man, whoever he is. Keep the IAN
tern and follow me as fast as you can"
mounted the hill rapidly. The dark
macs OF the church-tower was the flrst
object I discerned dimly against the
night sky. As I turned aside to get
round 10 the vestry, heard heavy foot
steps close to me. The servant had as
cended TO the church after us. II don't
mean any harm" he said. when turned
round on him: I'm only looking for my
master" The tones in which he spoke
betrayed unmi.tskable fear. took no
notice OF him, and went on.
The instant I turned the corner and
came In view of the vestry I saw the
lantern sky-light on the roof brilliantly
lighted UP from within II shone our
with dazzling brightness against the
murky, starless sky.
I hurried through the church-yard to
the door.
As got near. there was strange
smell stealing out on the damp night air
heard a swapping noise inside saw
the light above grow brighter and bright
era pane OF the glass cracked--I ran
10 the door. and put my hand on II. The
vestry was on fre.
Before I could move. before could
draw my breath after that discovery.
was horror-struck by a heavy thump
against the door from the inside. heard
the key worked violently in the lock-I
heard mans voice behind the door,
raised 20 a dreadful shrillness. scream
ing for help
The servant, who had followed me,
ata hnA nA
ped TO his knees. "oh. my Cod he said;
Its Sir Percival!"
As the words passed his lips, the clerk
Joined us, and at that same moment
there was another. and a last grating
turn Of the key in the lock.
The Lord have mercy on his SOUL"
said the old man. HE r. doomed and
dead. He has hampered the lock"
rushed TO the door The one absorb
ing purpose that-Aad hlled- my
thoughts, that had controlled all my
actions, for weeks and weeks past van
ished in an instant from my mind. All
remembrance Of the heartless injury the
mans crimes had inflicted OF the love.
the Innocence. the happiness he had
pitilesrly laid waste: OF the oath 7 had
eworn in my own heart 10 summon him
10 the terrible reckoning that he de-
served-passed from my memory like a
dream.
I remembered nothing but the horror of
his situation. I felt nothing but the nat
ural human impulse 20 save him from n
frishtful death.
TRY the other door" I shouted. TRY
the door into the church. The locks
hampered You're a dead man II you
waste another moment on IT,
There had been no renewed cry for help
when the KEY was turned for the last
time There was no sound now. of any
kind. 10 give token that he was still
alive 7 heard nothing but the quicken
ing orackle of the names. and the sharp
snap Of the glass In the sky-llght above.
looked round al my two companions.
The servant had risen 20 his feet: he had
taken the lantern, and was holding n up
vscantly ~ the door. Terror seemed %
have struck him with downright idiooy-
he waited ~ nv heels, he followed me
about when I moved. like dog. The
riarL a. -ronrhod ,sD 80