The San Francisco call., 1904-12-18

WiOe-dNdke. more dlGTl
in mind, more hideously acute to feel
the sting Of those torturing thoughts.
An overdose indeed No dose, it
seemed, could serve even to dull the
sharpness of her mordant reflections.
But she would have sleep-at all
costs, sleep! She cursed herself vile
ly because she could not sleep.
Thus came, as of old, now for the
first time, the madness and blindness
OF her rage, the rage which forgot all
save itself, merged every other con-
sciousness, spared nobody and moth
ing. IL was turned against herself
now, and neither did ii spare herself.
She drugged herself again, losing all
measure and then flung herself heav-
was = change now? The horrid pic
lures grew mercifully dim. the sting
OF the torturing thoughts was drawn,
the edge or conscience blunted. Her
rage had had its way, il had beaten
down nature. For a moment she
grasped this triumph and exulted in
il in her old barbarous gloating over
the victories of her fury. All things
had been against her sleep. But now
ii came; she had won it. She ceased
TO move. to curse, even to think The
blessed torDOr stole over her. Her
life and what it must be passed from
her mind; a compassionate blankness
spread over her intellect She was at
peace, To-morrow-yes tomorrow
All things could wait now till to-mor-
row. She would be better able to face
them to-morr0w-after a good nights
sleep. Who had dared to say she
could not sleep? Her eyes closed and
her heavy breathing sounded through
the room. She stirred no more. Her
rage had its way with her, as with all
others 1t had demanded sleep. She
slept
Dawn had broken when a hand laid
on his shoulder reused Grantiey Ina
son from an uneasy doze. He found
SUzette by him in her dressing-gown
and baretooted. Instinctively he lis
tened for an instant to hear if there
were any sound from the room above.
There was none and ne asked her:
rs there anything wrong?"
Yes" whispered Suzette. Come
upstairs."
Not knowing what the evil chance
might be, he followed her and she led
him into Harriet Courtland's room.
She had already opened one of the
shutters and the early light streamed
IN on the bed. Harriet lay on her
side, with her head thrown back on
The pillow and her eyes turned UP to
the ceiling. She lay above the clothes
or the bed and her nightgown was
torn away from her throat. Suzette
had thrown Il dressing gown over her
body from breast TO feet. She looked
wonderfully handsome as she Law
there, so still, SO peaceful, like some
splendid animal in a reaction of ex-
haustion after savage grand exertion
he drew near. The truth came home
10 him at once. The two stood and
looked at Harriet. At last he turned
TO SuZette. He found her very pale,
but quite calm.
She's doad Ar Traoeo,
said.
"How?" he asked.
An overdose of chloral. She often
used to take it-and of course she
would be very likely to want a Sleep
ing draught last night
Yes, yes. of course she would. Her
nerves would be so much upset"
Their eyes met-Suzette's seemed
puzzled.
What do you think?" asked Grant
ley in a whisper.
Il really don't know. She would
really have been quite likely to take
too much. She would be impatient if
1t didn't act quickly, you know"
Yes, yes, of course she would.
Have you sent for the doctor?"
"Oh, yes, directly / found her-be-
fore l came to you. But I've done
some nursing and--and there's not the
Least She stopped suddenly, and
was silent for several seconds. Then
she said quietly and calmly. There's
not the least chance, Mr.. mason"
Grantley knew what word she had
rejected in favor of chance" and
why the word had seemed inappropri-
ate. He acknowledged the Justice of
the change with a mournful gesture of
his hands.
We'll, we can never know whether
II was accidental or not" he said, as
he turned to leave the room.
No, we can never know that" said
Suzette.
How should they know? Harriet
Courtland had not known herself. AS
always, so to the end, her fury had
been blind. and had destroyed her
blindly- She had struck at herself as
recklessly as at her child; and here her
blow had killed. Her rage had run
its final course, and for the last time
had its way. She slept
And while she slept, her home was
waking to the life of a new day.