The Washington times., 1903-02-01

sure OF the regular breathing of the
sIeepers Then he turned to the toilet
table, which stood between the windows.
It was overspread with a most elabor-
ate and tempting display There were
silver backed brushes of all sizes and
kinds. hand mirrors and tiny teeth mir
rors, cut glass perfume bottles, knives
and scissors and dainty powder boxes.
Mr.. Danforth looked at all these with
a loving eye: he could appreciate fine
things. even though they belonged TO
another. He even touched his cheek
with perfume, and smoothed his hair
little, as he looked into the mirror. He
was really a very good-looking fellow.
But other matters pressed. Opening
the top drawer he fumbIed through it.
There was a profusion OF neckwear. col
lars and cuffs, Undertaking and fine
linen. There were also buttons for the
cuffs, studs of fine gold and pins of pre-
cious stones. but Mr. Danforth put them
aside. He opened the next drawer. The
linen was finer, It was fuffed and rib
boned There was suspiciousiy large
pile of handkerchiefs in one corner. He
lifted them and disclosed a jewel box
Of soft leather. His eyes sparkled, and
he snapped up the lid The diamonds
within sparkled back at him-two as
prettily set stones as he had ever seen.
in ear drops; a brooch of diamonds and
rubies; a splendid tortoisesheli comb
topped with rare diamonds Then there
we're some rings of various sorts, a
pretty little pearl necklace. and brace
let
He selected a large silk handkerchief
and wrapped the Jewels carefully in it,
making a neat bundle, which he put into
his left hand coat pocket. He closed
the box and replaced it. He even laid
back the linen. and smoothed it into
place, for he liked order. Then. having
put things as he found them, something
possessed him to go into the further
room, where the sIeepers we're.
He walked quickly on fat foot to the
door, and after listening a minute. en-
tered. The night lamp cast dull glow
over the objects in the room. The
light fell on the face OF the sleeping
woman, and warmed into a pleasing
color the hair that lay on the pillow
She was lying on her side, with her arm
thrown out, and her lips just parted in
the effort ofsrespiratioD. Mr.. Danforth
went a step nearer. She turned a lit
tie, and the yellow rufie of her gown
fell away from her throatA He could
see her face clearly. He stopped,
grasped nervously at the footboard. and
put his hand to his eyes; then it went
iuvoluntarily to his left pocket He
leaned farther over and peered hard
into the girls face. His lips smiled,
but there was no smile in his eyes
Louise" he muttered. and the room
with the little dot of light faded away.
IN its place he saw a long stretch Of
white beach with the waves coming in,
lap. lap. The sandpipers 1-teetered''
along the shore, and the gulls scream
ed in the sky He saw big white UNI
brelIa, and under 1t a girl sketehing.
while at her feet lay q man reading
aloud from a magazine. Once he caught
up her hand and kissed it. The face of
the girl was the same that lay on the
pillow. and the man was Howard Dan
forth.
He thought of a good many things
that had happened that summer. and
he thought of them little sadly.
Things turned out queerly. very queer
"; il it had not been for-but he
smiled grimIy. and put that behind him.
The room seemed to be getting very
hot. Perhaps he was nervous: yet there
were few things. no matter bow startling
that could upset his GOODNESS. But what
was all that rumble from the street be
low. AMI what? He raised his head
and shifted at the air Just then a cry
hoated up to him from below. a boys
shrin voice. aud 1t said Fire.
simultaneously he heard the clang Of q
patrol bell He went into the outer room.
1t was hotter than the other, and his
nostrils smarted. He jerked open the
door ana went into the hall The smoke
rolled heavily along IT. What was to be
done must be done quickly. Catching Up
white wrapper OF flannel from a chair, I
he bounded back into the sleeping room. +
He laid his hot hand on the forehead Of
the man. The jar Weakened him. and he
sat up. wonderingly-
Get up" said Danforth. THE place is +
on fire, Don't stop to dress. but tell your
wife 10 throw on this wrapper Hurry,'Fi
What is it," said the girl startled
suddenly into consciousness. What is it
Frank Who was that"