Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-03-10


ders and shimmered around her face
with a cloudlike effect, giving to the
features in their repose a setting that
intensified their sweetness and sadness
In very low but distinct voice she
was reading, with a slightly quavering
information
Mignonne. allons voir ST la rose.
Que ce matin avoit DISCLOSE
sa robe de pourpe au soleil.
when Hamilton, after stealthily mount
ing the rough stairway which led to
her door, peeped In through a space
between the slabs and felt a stroke Of
disappointment, seeing at a glance that
Farnsworth was not there. He gazed
for some time, not without a sense Of
yillainy, while she continued her sweet
ly monotorous reading. IL his heart
had been as hard as the iron swivel
balls that lay beside Alice he must still
have felt thrill of something like ten
der sympathy. She now showed no
trace OF the vivacious sauciness which
had heretofore always marked her fea-
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 borne him
back down the ladder and away from
the building had not a stronger one set
boldly in the opposite direction. There
was short struggle with the scared
remnant Of his better nature, and then
he tried TO open the door, but It 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 a peg beside the door. He felt
for 1t 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 combatlve disposition
came TO the aid of his baser passion
when he saw once more a defiant fash
from his prisoners face. 1t was easy
for him 10 be fascinated by opposition
Helm had profited by this trait as
much as others had suffered by It, but
in the case Of Alice, Hamilton's min
gled resentment and admiration were
but powerful irritant to the coarsest
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
Jolting. from its slot. Then hinging the
clumsy door wide open. he stepped in.
Alice started when she recognized the
midnight intruder, and n second deep
er look into his countenance made her
brave heart recoil, while with a sink
Ing sensation her breath almost stop
ped. It was but a momentary weak
ness, however, followed by vigorous
reaction.
what are you here for. STRIP she
What do you want?"
Il am neither a burglar nor muir
derer, mademoiselle," he responded, |
lifting his hat and bowling. with a
smile not in the least reassuring.
You look like both. Stop where
you areg
Not so loud, my dear Miss Roussil-
lon. 1 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
light hand ready to throw 1t at him.
He halted. still smiling villainously.
"Mademoiselle. assure you that |
-FOUR excitement is quite unnecessary.
am not here to harm you"
You cannot harm me, you cowardly
"Humph! Pride goes before a fall,
yench," he retorted, taking a half step
backward. Then a thought arose In
Ms mind which added a new shade to
he repellent darkness of his counte-
nance.
"Miss Roussillon," he said in Eng
ish and with a changed voice, which
seemed TO grow harder, each word de-
iberately emphasized. ~ have come to
Freak some bad news TO you"
you would scarcely bring me good
news, sir, and am not curious to hear
he bad"