Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-08-13

" Just become aware Of black mark
on the soft mauve material OF her dress.
With her gloved hand she attempted to
brush it off, and as this had no effect she
began rubbing it with tiny handker-
chief. Then she raised her eyes. Miss
Winter was watching her with curious
smile-a smile much more suggestive OF
pain than of pleasure.
Their eyes met, and for some moments
both seemed on the verge of saying some-
thing which was never said. Then sud
denly Helen leaned forward and covered
her face with her two hands.
Helen recovered herself as suddenly as
she had given way, and. rising from
her chair, stood with her shoulder turned
toward her friend, her two hands upon
the nte-piece, looking down into the
fire. Her attitude, moral and physical.
was reflective.
II wonder" she said III every one
got out of the theater?'
"Mr. Easton phomised to come and tell
u.s. answered Miss Winter.
Helen raised her head and looked crit
icaly at her own reflection in the old
fashioned mirror over the fireplace. The
trace of tears had almost vanished from
her young eyes-it is only older counte-
nances that bear the marks for long.
Before she moved again the sound Of
cab wheels made itself audible in the
street, and the vehicle was heard to stop
at the door. Miss Winter rose and went
to let in the newcomer.
1t was Matthew Mark Easton. He fol-
lowed Miss Winter into the dining room,
walking lightly-an unnecessary precau-
ton. for his step was like that of
child.
Il do not know" he was saying, "the
etiquette observed in England on these
points. but l could not resist coming
along to see if you had arrived safely.
| No one hurt, trust?" continued he.
YES" answered the girl. gently; Mr..
| Tyars Is hurt-his arm 10 broken"
Easton's mobile lips closed together
with a snap, betraying tho fact that ne
had allowed himself the luxury of an ex-
| pletive in his reprehensible American
way. He turned aside, and walked back
ward and forward for few minutes, like
| man made restless by the receipt OF
very bad news.
1t was a matter Of a second only. Like
a serpent's fang the mans keen eyes
peculiarly nervous face instantly assumed
| an expression as near stOlidity as could
be expressed by features each and all
laden with an exceptional intelligence.
Then he turned away, and took up
broken fan lying on the table, opening it
tenderly and critically.
But Miss Winter was as quick as he.
She knew then that he had guessed.
Whatever he might have suspected before.
she had no doubt now that Matthew
Mark Easton knew that Helen loved
Caud Tyars.
1.-The worst OF It," he broke out, with
sudden airiness, "is that there was no
fire at all. 1t was extinguished on tho
stage. The performance might have been
continued"
ut only makes It more horrible" said
Miss Winter "for l suppose there-were
some killed"
THAT is So" he answered. "Thev took
forty-two corpses out of our box alone"
II did not know" said Helen, after a
painful pause. that 1t was so bad as
| that"
Oswin Grace came In, opening the front
door with his latch-key. lie was greeted
with an interrogatory well" from
Miss Winter.
''He IS all right" he answered. ut
was a simple fracture. Old Barker set it
very nicely, and l sent him off to his club
in cab"
"Then," said Easton, holding out his
hand to say good-by, II shall go and
help him into bed-tuck him in, and sing
soft lullaby over his pillow. Good
night, Miss Winter. Good night, Miss
Grace"
| ITO be continued.)