The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-10-14
] An Invisible Hand
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MN, saying, 4 near my dear boy, mat
you have been down to Balwash."
Max admitted that he had.
Il feel sure that, like myself, you
feel the doctors may be hiding ONE
thing from us, and that Edith's case
may be serious" he said, his nervous
anxiety visible in his face.
Il had some idea of the kind"
And you went dow to see Hop
kins and got him to tell you the truth?'
the count suggested.
"Yc. are right, pater; tina is why 1
Went"
Tel, NE what he said; don't spare
me, for anything is better than the
SUSPENSE: don't fear to brighten me,
for 1 shall be brave"
Max was glad that his father could
not see his face as he replied, Hop
kins says there is nothing more serious
the matter than what Sir William men,
toned; irritation of the stomach, a
touch of gastritis. That is ALL"
The count CAV a profound sigh Of
relief. You have taken ten years from
my life. Sir Williams opinion can be
trusted. There is no danger. But 1
was horribly My affection
throws me SO much upon myself, and
l am morbid at times. like today, when
l nave been entertaining all kinds of
suggestions"
Max put one arm around his shoulder
affectionately and pityingly. You have
been worrying yourself about nothing,
pater; Edith will be all right in a few
days" he said with an effort at cheer
fitness.
That night when the household had
retired, Max unknown to all save one,
took his place behind the heavy velvet
curtains of the window at the end OF
the corridor from which Edith's bed
room branched. 1t was not until she
had received a signal announcing that
he had up his post that Lady
Bysshe quilted her neice's apartments
for her own. situated a little lower
down on the same landing. The other
rooms opening from it were unoccu-
pied.
Wrapped in his great coat and seated
In a chair he watched through the
light, listening eagerly, scarce daring
to move his eyes open to the darkness
less closed lids might induce sleep, uir-
til early in the. morning before the SER
wants rose. when Lady Bysshe went
back to Edith, and his guard was re-
'lieved.
AS usual he came down to breakfast,
after which he went to his rooms and
slept %soundly, While it was supposed he
was reading for an examination. Sew
eral nights We're spent by him in this
way without result. but meanwhile,
Edith rapidly recovered. so that the
date of her departure for Eastbourne
was iXed for the third time.
1T was about 3 o'clock on the morning
OF the day on which she was to leave.
that Max, who had not relaxed his
watch behind the curtain, imagined a
faint noise reached him from the lower
part of the corridor. Instantly his
senses became alert, but it was mo- un-
I'll some seconds had passed that the
deadly stiffness was again interrupted
by sounds like the slow gliding of Slip
pered feet over thick carpets.
Without rising he opened the cur
tains a little, but could not see for the
Intense darkness. Yet he could hear
slow and measured breathing, that
seemed to draw near and nearer.
His blood boiled in mingled wrath
and triumph. for he had no doubt Of
the deadly purpose for which the
wretch was there; but restraining HIM
self he waited breathlessly until he
heard the knob of Edith's door being
softly turned. when with one swift
spring, he seized the scoundrel by the
throat and flung him to h floor.
NO cry was given, NJ word spoken.
but the unknown clutched his assailant
with a powerful grasp in his efforts to
overcome him; turned, twisted, fought
and struggled with a desperation that
severely tried Max, until a door sud
denly opened and Lady Bysshe, wild
with fright, stood beside him. Then.
as the light of her candle fell full upon
the face of the ma Max yet gripped
his fingers released their hold and he
drew back with a Quivering cry of hor-
rOr,