Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-02
CHAPTER XXVII:

soth," remarked the detective.
She nodded; looked at Mr.. Dcgraw.
who bowed low.
II will remain here" said he. 'If
an wanted, a word will bring me.
James can keep me company, and
leither of us will require any light"
"Perhaps that will be as WELL" mur
nured the lady but she gave him an
earnest look and turned once again
After leaving him.
She may have felt anxious about
aim, she may have felt anxious about
herself; whatever the feeling was, it
made her step heavy and lingering.
The upper hall of this oldfashioned
country mansion ran from the front to
the back of the house, and was so spa
cious that 1t was carpeted and fur
nished like room. Over the front
door there was a recess holding a desk,
and this was made still more of re-
treat by wide curtain strung across
It. Toward this spot Mr.. Gryce at
once drew.
"This 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 signorina's
room, after which she explained that
beside the main staircase leading down
at the left. there was smaller one at
the end of the hail. which, being in
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 a step sounded on
the floor, and the :ignorina 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 siSnorina, opening
the door and disclosing herself in her
evening apparel. Il am nervous and
agitated, too. I should be hut sorry
company. See! l 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 Aspinwal's 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 hear" she
suddenly asked, in a muflled, 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.
81 do not hear anything" she re-
Piled
That shows you how nervous I am"
half laughed the signorina Il do not
understand it, but think never felt
just as | do tonight. Get some one
else to keep you company; l 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
l cannot go leaving you here awake
and you cannot wish to see me co.
knowing that I should be constantly
anxious about you"
But you don't know how peculiar
am" murmured the signorina,
shrinking back and trembling exces
sively. 81 have spells when only soil.
tude can relieve me. Such a one is
upon me tonight. If / should go into
your room l should be tempted to
shrek aloud, I have so little control
over myself when 1 am nervous"
'.And you will not let me stay here"
The signorina looked down, seeming.
Iy 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 special in.
terview' tomorrow. I do not know
what it means; but I trembe, for"
She paused. and her head fell till her
chin touched the flowers fading upon
her breast. Can you not guess the
rest, Hilary?"
Miss Aspinwall thotght she could,
but did not say so. She was busy
seeking for eXpcdients to induce her
friend to accent 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. | shall not be asleep"
The signorina looked up rs if to an
swer. 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 came with me; she
prefers to be Alone" the lady OBJ.