The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-02-03
CHAPTER XVII.

She nodded; looked at Mr.. Degraw,
who bowed low.
II will remain here" said he. "If I
am wanted, a word will bring me.
James can keep me company, and
oeither of us will require any light"
perhaps that will be as.well," muir
INJURED the lady, but she gave him an
earnest look and turned once again
after leaving him.
She may have felt anxious about
him, she may have felt anxious about
herself; whatever the feeling was, it
made her step heavy and lingering.
The upper hall Of this fashioned
country mansion ran from the front to
the back of the house, and was SO spa
eious that it was carpeted and fur
nished like a room. Over the front
door there was a recess holding desk,
and this was made still more Of re-
treat by a wide curtain strung across
it. Toward this spot Mr.. Gryce at
once drew.
'oThis is good vantage ground" he
commented. "By drawing the curtain
so, can see everything without being
seen; only you must take this lighted
candle away and place it on that small
table down in the hall"
II WILL" she said, and proceeded to
point out the door Of the slgnorina's
room, after which she explained that
beside the main staircase leading down
at the left, there was a smaller one at
the end of the hall, which, being in a
direct line between certain side en-
trance much in use, and the various
bedrooms of the house, was more en-
ployed by her guests than the one in
front. Then she left him, and, after
placing the candle on the table he had
pointed out, proceeded with careful
steps to the signorina's door, upon
which she slightly knocked.
A hurried movement answered her
from within. Then step sounded on
the floor, and the signorina pantingly
cried, from behind the door:
, "Who is it?'
Hillary" was the reply. II am lone
some and nervous, Jenny; will you not
share my bed with me-"
; "Oh," cried the signorina, opening
The door and disclosing herself in her
evening apparel. ~ am nervous and
agitated, too. I should be but sorry
company. See! have not even gone
to bed"
Miss Aspinwall, who had not been
in bed either, as her hair and orna-
ments showed, flushed softly and
turned her face partially away. But
the other did not notice. She was in a
tremor and peered out into the hall
over Miss Aspinwalls shoulder, as if
some hint Of the fear which had in
fused itself into the mind of others
had ventured at last to disturb. her
own.
"Who is that? What do I hear? she
suddenly asked, in muffied, yet pene-
trating voice.
Miss Aspinwall, starting, glanced be-
hind her. There was nothing to be
seen, not even in the quarter where
the detective stood.
II do not hear anything" she re-
Piled. ... ..., ........
THAT shows you how nervous I am"
half laughed the signorina. II do not
understand it, but think never felt
just as I do tonight. Get some one
else to keep you company; I, am only
fit to sit on the edge of my bed and
cry"
"Then that is the best reason in the
world why we should be-. together.
I cannot 60 leaving you here awake,
and you cannot wish to see me 60,
knowing that should be constantly
anxious about you"
"But you don't know how peculiar
i am,"" murmured the signorina,
shrinking back and trembling exces-
Sively. II have spells when only soli-
tude can relieve me. Such one is
upon me tonight. If should go into
your room I should be tempted to
shrek aloud, I have so little control
over myself when I am nervous"
"And you will not let me stay here?"
The signorina looked down, seeming
ly embarrassed by the others pene-
trating glance.
"Oh," she whispered at last, "you
are woman. Cannot you understand
that there are times when we would
shut out even the stars from peering
into our windows? Mr.. Degraw, of
Cleveland, has asked for a special in
terview tomorrow. do not know
what it means; but tremble, for"
She paused, and her head fell till her
chin touched the flowers fading upon
her breast. Can you not guess the
rest, HilaryT
Miss Aspinwall thought she could,
but did not say so. She was busy
seeking for expedients to induce her
friend to accept the refuge she prof
fered her, but she found none; and
seeing at last that her presence only
disturbed the unhappy girl, she gave
her tender kiss and moved softly
away, saying:
"Open your door and speak, If you
need me. I shall not be asleep"
The signorina looked up as if to an
swcr. but closed her lips again, and.
after one other frightened glance up
and down the hall, drew back into her
own room and closed the door. Miss
Aspinwall passed on to where the
detective stood.
"She will not come with me; she
pEefers to be alone" the lady OBJ
served, in low tones, as she entered
behind the curtain. "As she seems
"a aoitated and lOw.spirited. I did not