The San Francisco call., 1906-07-15
CHAPTER xL.
Suspense.

suspense
Katharine never knew how she lived
through those hours between Tuesday
and Friday, the day set for the con-
summation Of the tragedy. For years
she could not speak OF them, could not
think of them. That way madness
lies. she would say TO herself, when
they presented themselves to her
memory. Certain dim Impressions she
had Of doors opening to let in a pity
ing face, then gently closing again. OF
hearing Elsie wall, 'T want nv
mamma" and Of some one dragging
her away, OF Nora helping her to nm.
dress and coaxing her to drink a glass
OF milk OF lying awake staring at the
night lamp, of watching the light grow
Into another day, and OF all the time
being whirled on, on, on, to that day
that hour!
She must have slept, and vet she
could not remember TO have done so
She had not at any time, she believed
been really asleep or quite awake; then
all at once she was keenly, sensitively
alive TO 'the approaching crisis She
must know-as soon as 1t was over
Not through Arthur, or any one else
who could feel at liberty to question.
or comment. or look at her curiously.
messenger, a servant, Jerry must
bring the news.
While ii was yet dark she arose and
dressed herself and, softly unbolting
the great front door. stole out of the
house.
Early as it was. there was a light in
the barn. She could see 1t move to
and fro. Jerry was doing his chores
He was earlier than usual He, too.
could not sleep. He had not called the
"greenhorn." He wanted to be alone.
She paused at the door. The smell of
the hay and of the well-groomed horses
came out to her, bringing associations
with childish games of hide-and- seek
and 8f housekeeping In the haymow,
mingled. with other pictures OF more
recent date. the coming home late from
a gallop or driving her steaming grays
with flourish up to the door-mem-
ories Of careless. happy. light hearted
childhood and sirlhood- A woman, now,
she stood there, paying the price of her
womanhood.
Jerry" she called softly.
He came out at once, and pulled off
his cap when he saw who had called
him.
Yes. ma'am. od-morning, ma'am." ;"
he said, as If ii were no unusual occur
ence for his mistress to present herself
at the barn at four o'clock of chilly
November morning.
i want you Jerry" she said hastily.
ito go down 10 the jail and bring me
word aIter-as soon as
Il viii. ma'am," he replied earnestly.
us there-anything else. ma am-any-
word
NO, that's ALL" She could trust her
self to say no more, but hurried back
into the house and again bolted the
door behind her.
Five O'Clock came. six 1t was still
dark. Seven. Nora tapped at the door
Was she ready for her bath? What
would she have for breakfast?
The young Irishwoman showed won
derful self-command. Her sorrow for
the prisoner had been absorbed by soli-
citude for her mistress. Katharine felt
her strength and leaned upon it. She
let Nora brush her hair, tie her slippers
do all the little things for which she
had always scorned to have a lady's
maid. She even let Nora butter her
toast and pour out her coffee. ate
few mouthfuls, drank a swallow or
two, dallying with the agony which she
knew awaited her.
Eight o'clock came. and nine. Jerry
was riding out of the yard on Brown
Bess. her own saddle-horse. the 1eetest
animal in the stable. Now it all came
crowding back on her and would not be
denied.
Leave me. Nora" she whispered,
'and don't let any one in"
AS an extra precaution she locked
the door. Then she came back and