Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-02
CHAPTER A.iVIII.
LA SONNAMBULA.

LA SoNNAMBULA.
Two hours went by-two long be-
wildering hours. or so they seemed to
Hilary Aspinwall crouching in her
dim corner and listening with divided
attention, first, for any signs of dis
turbance in the hall before her; and,
secondly, for that something. hardly
amounting to sound which constantly
and with increasing effect testified to
her ovcrwrought nerves that the one
man who unconsciously possessed the
power to move her was still within
her walls, sharing her watch and more
than partaking in her anxiety. Pain
and pleasure often mingle strangely in
our consciousness. and, though She
knew by the sharp anguish that now
and then ovcrcamc her that his
thoughts all ran by her to that lone
chamber where the beautiful stranger
slumbered. yet she could not but eX.
perience, as the proudest women will,
that peculiar delight which comes with
the sense of Il beloved ones presence.
Each minute brought its own expert.
ence to her; and yet, if the detective
who sat at her side lad bethought TO
turn his head in her direction, he
would not have heard 4 sigh from her
set lips, or discerncd wandering
glance from her firm and steady eye.
1t was now two o'clock and tho
house was still. almost to the point
Of oppression. Only the sound of sway
ing boughs swishing against the walls
was to be heard from without, while
within, there was nothing to disturb
the absolute serenity of the place, un-
heart and the tick of the great clock
in the library below.
The curtain drawn in front of her
retreat falls without wrinkle, and is
so transparent that she sees the flare
of the candle beyond burning like a
hazy star through its meshes. On this
star she has fixed her eyes so steadily
that she see nothing else, not even
the detective who stands SO near her.
with his ear and not his eye bent to-
ward the hall. Are they wasting their
strength in this breathless watching?
Has the danger been Overratcd. and
would they be better off in their beds
and asleep? Surely yes; for here is
no sign of lurking mischief in the space
about them, and the hour grows late.
And yet-what sound was that? Did
hinge creak, or is fancy, so long
robbed of its prey, cheating our over
strained senses at last?
Hilary Aspnwall asks this question,
but she does not betray her anxiety
by so much as the involuntary catch
ing Of her breath. She feels that Mr..
Gryce is listening and that is enough
But her eye is on the star | have
spoken of; and. suddenly-whether it
be fact. or only the effect of her i'm.
agination-she perceives that star grow
cloudy. Something is passing between
1t and her; something that grows in
size and obscures the light of the flame.
and finally casts shadow on the cur.
tain itself. The sound, which Is like
'the softest step, fills her with horror
that would unconsciously cause a
Shrek to leave her lips, If MI Gryce
were not close at her side. AS 1t is,
she can hardly refrain from catching
him by the arm and asking him if he
hears and sees this person approaching
him. But his silent and immovable
figure invites no such display of feel.
ing, and fixed but trembling she
watches the shadow growing upon the
curtain till, to her secret surprise and
immeasurable relief, it assumes the
proportions, not of a man, but of
slight and graceful woman, whose out.
lines she is sure she will know, if
But Mr.. Gryce is moving; he has taken
look through the space left at the