The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-09-08

~ just become aware OF q black mari
on the soft mauve material Of her dress
With her gloved hand she attempted tc
brush 1t off, and as this had no effect shs
began rubbing 1t with a tiny handker
chief. Then she raised her eyes. Miss
Winter was watching her with a curious
smile-a smile much more suggestive o.
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 az
she had given way, and, rising from
her chair, stood with her shoulder turned
toward her friend, her two hands upon
the mantel-piece, looking down into the
fire. Her attitude, moral and physical,
was reflective.
II wonder" she said, "if every ono
got out Of the theater?'
Mr.. Easton promised to come and tell
u.s." answered Miss Winter.
Helen raised her head and looked crit
ically 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 a
child.
do not know" he was saying, "the
etiquette observed in England on these
points, but I could not resist coming
along to see If you had arrived safely.
No one hurt, I trustT' continued he.
YES" answered the girl, gently; "Mr.
Tyars Is hurt-his arm IL broken"
Easton's mobile lips closed together
with a snap, betraying the fact that he
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
q man made restless by the receipt Of
very bad news.
1t was a matter Of a second only. Like
. serpent's fang the mans keen eyes
flashed toward her and away again. The
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.
he might have suspected before,
she had no doubt now that Matthew
Mark Easton knew that Helen loved
Claud Tyars.
"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
ut only makes 1t more horrible" said
Miss Winter; "for suppose there-were
some killed"
THAT Is So" he answered. "They took |
forty-two corpses out Of our box alone"
II did not know" said Helen, after a
painful pause, shat 1t was SO bad as
hat"
Oswin Grace came In, opening the front
1oor with his latch-key. He was greeted
with an lnterrogatory "Wel?" from
Miss Winter.
He Is all right" he answered. att
vas a simple fracture. Old Barker set Il |
'ery nicely, and sent him off to his club
n a Cal" ,-.,.....r,..
Then" said Easton, holding out his
land to say good-by, IL shall 20 and
lelp him into bed-tuck him in, and sing
soft lullaby over his inflow Good
light, Miss Winter. Good night, Miss
trace"
Ito be continued.)