The Washington times., 1905-09-10

paused and looked back He had
mover a step or two IN her direction,
and was standing directly under the
hanging lamp; the light, falling on his
smooth hair. turned it fair. She drew
quick breath, then turned and ran
back TO him.
''Mauricer she said 'Mauricew
He caught her IN his arms and held
her closely Dearest, What is it,
little one?''
| She chung to him silently. The still
ness of the night and its oppression
seemed to brood over the house. Her
hands ciasped his shoulders. her heart
| beat unsteadiIy Maurice. 1 care for
you more than you guess or dream-I
love you very much" The pressure OF
her fingers frightened: then with a little
SILVER she drew away and looked ner-
vously round. A blue flash glimn,ered
and brushed her eyes; almost stimuli
| taneously the first peal Of thunder
rolled across the sky.
She laughed unsteadily, and Strobe
drew her close TO him again.
''Afraid?"
| "Not afraid: but IL Jars one through
and through. Can't you feel it jar? 1t
seems to have such scope-out here by
the sea. Maurice, say that you care for
| me-just once more"
Another faint flash crossed the hall; as
Strobe bent 10 reply, a second peal, more
sonber than the first. broke above their
heads
For an instant their lips held each
other. then Anna pushed him away.
You must get home she said, quickly
you must get home before the rain
breaks. Goodnight Think aIways-al-
ways, Maurice. that love you a million
times more than myself II seem
strange tonight it's the electricity in the
air. Goodnight" Her voice broke off
short: she freed herself. and ran down
the corridor.
Strobe moved forward. ANNA he
called. softly. But the only answer that
came to him was the sharp closing of
door. and the turing OF a key in a
lock He waited for minute. uncertain
". then with a movement of puzzled
short; she freed herself. and ran down
back to the drawing-room door.
The dinner-gong had sounded through
the house. Mrs. Maxtead, waiting in
the dinino-room. looked about her I'M
easily. then glanced at her watch. The
French windows were closed, and the
air in the room was sitting She rose.
walked 20 the window. then back 10
the table. lastly out into the hall. The
corridor was dim. she traversed it
hastily and stopped at Annals door.
There she knocked.
who is it," The answer came after
a pause.
'I-Jeanne- Won't you have any din
nery"
II don't need dinner. thanks: I'll have
some tea later. My head aches
There was silence; then the thunder
cracked across the sky. Mrs Maxtead
knocked again hastily.
Let me in. Maurice and DR.. Penryhr
have gone; it's uncanny getting through
this storm alone
There was a faint movement inside
the room. then the sound of a key being
turned Mrs. Maxtead's hand was on
the handle. she turned it instantly; then,
Immediately the door yielded, she drew
back. Good heavens. childt''
The room was dark, except for the
occasional flashes that spung across il
from the open window; then curtains
were drawn back, and beyond the lawn
and cliff the oily sea and rent sky were
plainly to be seen in the intervals of
weird light Both inside and out the
excessive warmth hung pulselessly on
the ar.
Mrs Maxtead moved forward. That
is like the Inferno she said. "oply
your matches? 7 can't go another sec
ond without light"
ION the dressing-ta BILE" Anna had re-
turned TO the window and stood looking
out Another twist of light shot through
the room.
Mrs NIaxtead walked TO the table and
picked up the matches. You're perfect
" abominable." she began: but her
words we're drowned in a sweep OF
sound. Anna, Shut that window and
draw the curtains" She lighted the
candles hastily. then walked across TO
the girl and caught her hand.
She drew her into the center of the
room: but there she paused. why. nv
dear child" she said. My dear child,''
She turned swiftly TO the mantelpiece
and rang the bell: then she walked &c
the window, let down the blind and drew
the curtains. AS the man entered, she
turned round.
Bring some coffee and my box OF
cigarettes. We shan't dine tonight
She turned to Anna as the girl with
OItH- NOW, you We got 70 rise ABOVE
this storm You've been frightening
yourself to death; your eyes are abso
lutelv scared
" Anna pushed the hair from her fore,
q | head; her face was very white, and
6 there were black circles under her eyes
You've been looking out of that win
y dow for half an hour"
2 There was no reply.
p Anna"
The girl moved to the dressing BILE
There was a rigidity in her actions tina
II was new. Her companions ewes tool
6 on their critical look.
Anna she said. lis II really the
r storm at all? l have q lingering feeling
. that IFS not"
= Anna stood very stiI. mo. Jeanne
It's not storm
=, Mrs Maxtead sat down quietly
: You've told Maurice. she said. direct
Q ". and Maurice hasn't taken ii well.
= Anna shivered in spite Of the heat
'-Oh. no, l haven't told him.
Then what is It? | rather feel n
il I'd dropped a link. on, how detesta
BILE that noise is,''