The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-08-11

that moment, she almost laughed.
''Tes-yes," she answered.
''Then crawl to your feet. Don't try
to get up; crawl over this man. l don't
know who he is, but / surmise he is
dead"
She obeyed, and found her way out OF
the narrow door and up some steps.
Close behind her followed some one, whom
she took to be Matthew Mark Easton,
but 1t ultimately turned out to be Oswin
Grace, who was in his turn followed by
the American. but not until later.
Helen Grace heard the ward Come"
and submitted obediently - the support
ing arm, which half dragged, half carried
her up some steps. She remembered be-
ing carried like a child through some dark
some place where the atmosphere was cold
and damp. Then she was conscious of n
breaking wood and the tearing of some
material-probably canvas, for they were
among the scenery. After that she prob
ably tainted, and was only brought to
consciousness by the shock of a violent
fall in which her companion was under
most. Then she heard voice calling out:
This way, sir; this way"
She recoIlected seeing a fireman stand
ing in a narrow passage waving a Ian
tern. By the time that she reached the
open air she was quite conscious.
Let me walk" she said, Il am all
right. Where Is Agnes?"
'They are behind" answered Tyars.
"She is all right. She has two men to-
Loo Oft har Inv -
'sWait for them." said the girl. Il will
not go home without them"
''AH right; we shall wait outside. Let
us get out first
They were standing in a small room,
probably the Office of the theater, and
policeman stationed near the window, of
which the framework had been broken
away, called to them impatiently.
The window was about four feet from
the ground, and Helen wondered momen-
tarily why Claud Tyars accomplished the
drop so clumsily. In the narrow street he
turned to police inspector and pointed
to the window.
Lift the lady down." he said.
A cab was near at hand, and in 1t they
waited seated side by side in silence
for what seemed hours. The crowd dropped
away, seking some more interesting spot.
At last there was a movement at the win
dow, and Tyars got out Of the cab and
went away, leaving Helen in an agony
of mute suspense. In few moments it
was over and the girl breathed freely.
1t seemed strangely unreal and dream
like to hear Agnes Winters voice again;
to see her standing on the pavement be-
meath the yellow gas lamp, drawing to-
gether the gay little opera cloak round
her shoulders.
As Miss Winter stepped into the cab
sha leaned forward and kissed Helen.
That was all; no word was said. But
the two women sat hand in hand during
the drive home.
Tyars and Oswin spoke together few
words In a lowered tone quite overwhelm-
ed by the rattle of the cab and then sat
silently. The light of occasional lamps
flashed in through the unwashed window,
and showed that the mems clothes were
covered with dirt and dust, which neither
attempted to brush off.
When the cab stopped in Brook street,
Oswin got out first, and going up the
steps opened the front door nOiselessly
with a latch key. Tyars paid the cab
man, and followed the ladies into the
house.
The gas in the hall and dining room
had been lowered. and they all stood for
a moment in the gloom round the daintily
dressed table. When Oswin Grace turned
up the gas they looked at each other curl
ously.
Miss Winter kept her opera-cloak
closed, simply stating that her dress was
torn. Her hair was becomingly untidy.
but she showed no sign of scratch or hurt.
Helen was hardly ruffied beyond a few
little stray curls, almost golden in color.
stealing down beside her ears. She
doubtless owed her immunity from
harm, and in all human probability the
safety of her life to the enormous bodily
strength of Claud Tyars. 1t was she who
spoke first.
'Your ARM she said, pointing to
Tyars right sleeve. ''Have you hurt it,"
He looked down at the limb which was
hanging in peculiar way very close to
his body, with a vague and questioning
smile, as if it were not his property.
YES" he said. ''it is broken.
Miss Winter and Oswfn went to his
side at once. Helen alone remained stanJ-
ing at the table. She said no word. but
continued looking al him with very bright
eyes. her lips slightly parted, breathing
deeply.
lie avoided meeting her glance in the
same awkward, embarrassed way which
she had not noticed before: answering the
questions put to him with a reassuring
smile.
1T happened" he said, during the
first rush. We fell down somewhere
through some scenery, and my arm same,
underneath
You put it underneath" corrected
Helen. almost coldly, ''to-save me, l
suppose"
Instinct" he exclaimed, tersely.
Shall | fetch a doctor, or will you
come with me?" asked the practical
Oswin, gently forcing his friend into a
chair. I'VE are surrounded by them In
Brook street"
Il will go with you," answered Tyars.
Refusing all offers of hospitality made
by Oswin and his sister, Claud Tyars
went off with his friend to the doctors,
leaving the ladies comfortably installed
in arm chairs by the fire.
They protested that they could not
possibly sleep, and that, as it was only
twelve o'clock, they would await Oswin's