Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-10-26

lures when she was in his presence.
A dainty gentleness. touched with mel
ancholy. gave to her face an appealing
look all the more powerful on account
of its unconscious simplicity Of express
sion.
The man felt an impulse pure and
noble, which would have borpe him
back down the ladder and away from
the building had not a stronger one set
boldly in the opposite direction. Thee,
was short struggle with the scared
remnant of his better nature, and then
he tried to open the door, but 1t was
locked.
Alice heard the slight noise and
breaking off her reading turned to
look. Hamilton made another effort
to enter before he recollected that the
wooden key, or notched lever, that con-
trolled the cumbrous wooden lock
hung on peg beside the door. He felt
for it along the wall, and soon laid his
hand on it. Then again he peeped
through to see Alice, who was now
standing upright, near the swivel. She
had thrown her hair back from her
face and neck; the lamps Pickering
light seemed suddenly to have magni-
fed her stature and enhanced her
beauty. Her book lay on the tumbled
wraps at her feet, and in either hand
she grasped a swivel shot.
Hamilton's combatiye disposition
\ - 1,{c hoc q n
when he saw once more defiant flash
from his prisoners face. 1t was easy
for him to be fascinated by opposition.
Helm had profited by this trait as
much as others had suffered by 1t, but
in the case Of Alice, Hamilton's min
gled resentment and admiration were
but powerful irritant to the eoarsest
and most dangerous side of his nature.
After some fumbling and delay he
fitted the key with steady hand and
moved the wooden bolt, creaking and
iolting. from its slot. Then f1inging the
clumsy door wide open, he stepped In.
Alice started when she recognized the
midnight intruder, and second deep
er look into his countenance made ner
brave heart recoil, while with sink
ing sensation her breath almost stop
ped. 1t was but momentary weak
ness. however, followed by vigorous
reaction.
what are you here for, sir?' she
demanded What do you want!
II am neither burglar nor a muir
derer. mademoiselle." he responded,
lifting his hat and bowling, with
smile not In the least reassuring.
You look like both. Stop where
You are!'
Not so loud. my dear Miss Rouss'l-
Ion. / am not deaf, and, besides, the
garrison needs to sleep
stop, sir; not another STEP
She poised herself. leaning slightly
backward, and held the iron ball in her
right hand ready to throw it at him.
He halted. still smiling villainously.
"Mademoiselle, I assure you that
your excitement is quite unnecessary.
am not here to harm YOU
You cannot harm me. you cowardly
wretch"
"Humph! Pride goes before fall
wench.' he retorted, taking half step
backward. Then thought arose in
his mind which added n new shade to
the repellent darkness of his counte-
nance.
"Miss Roussillon," he said in Eng
lish and with changed voice, which
seemed to grow harder. each word de-
liberately emphasized, II have come to
break some bad news to you"
You would scarcely bring me good
news. sir, and l am not curious to hear
the bad
He was silent for little while, gaz-
Ing at her with the sort OF admiration
from which true woman draws away
appalled,. He saw how she loathed
| him. SAY how impossible lit MAS FOR