Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-21
CHAPTER XII.
Suspense.

through those hours between Tuesday and
Friday, the day set for the contamination
OF the tragedy. For years she couio NOT
speak of them, could not think OF them.
a. That way madness iies.'" she would say
to herself. when they presented themselves
to her memory. Certain dim Impressions
she had of doors opening to let in plying
face, then gently closing again, OF hearing
Elsie wall. IT want may mamma and OF
some one dragging her away, OF
Norah helping her to unoress amo
OF lying awake staring at the night
lamp. Of watching the light grow into an
other day. and of all the time being whirled
on. on. on, to that day that hour.
She must have slept, and yet 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-it was
over Not through Arthur, or any one else
who could feel at liberty to question. or
comment, or look at her curiously. A mes
senger, servant. Jerry must bring the
news.
While 1t was yet dark she arose and
dressed herself and, softly unbolting the
great front door. stole out of the house.
Early as 1t 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
hay and of the well-groomed horses came
out to her. bringing associations with child
ish games of hide and-seek and Of house
keeping In the haymow, mingled with other
pictures OF more recent date, the coming
home late from gallop or driving her
steaming grays with a flourish up to the
door-memories of careless, happy, light
hearted childhood and girlhood. 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 Good morning, ma am he
said, as If it were no unusual occurrence
for his mistress to present herself at the
barn at four o'clock of a chilly November
morning.
go down to the jail and bring me word
after-as soon as"
II will ma'am." he replied earnestly. us
there-anything else, ma am-any-word-'
mo. 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, 9. 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 wonder
full self-command. Her sorrow for the pris-
oner had been absorbed by sollcitude 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 a few
mouthfuls, drank swallow two, daily
Ing with the agony which she knew awaited
her.
Eight o'clock came, and o. Jerry was rid
Ing out Of the yard on Brown Bess, her
own saddle horse, the sweetest animal in
the stable. Now it all came crowding back
on her and would not be denied.
Leave me. Nora" she whispered, land
don't let any one In"
AS an extra precaution she locked the
door. Then she came back and faced it
the terrible dream, the dreadful reality.
She flung herself on her knees before the
great lounging-chair in which she made
him sit the day she sang her song-their
song. The notes, the words came back now
mockingly:
HE sang of Joy in overflow,
He sang the Pain mankind must know.
And they who listened to that voice
With 1t did mourn, with it rejoice"
ST cannot oh, / cannot she gasped. ut
is-unendurabler'
In niche of the wall an alabaster Pieta,
brought home from Florence, slender and
white and fragile as the Indian pipes that
spring without warning in the black forest
mold, ghosts OF flowers. caught her eye.
1t had been almost forgotten among the
gayer, brighter treasures of the room. Now
1t was the only thing she saw; the pathetic
group, the white Mother, the white Christ
upon her knees.
20, Mother of Sorrows" she prayed.
Even Christ did not bear what you bore
to stand by-to wait-till 1t was donei Help,
help, Mother of Godp
A touch of that patience, reflection of
that love came to her. She, too, would en-
dure. stand by, wait and claim the precious
clay.
Was that a bell tolIing? 1t must not be!
1t could not be- Was there no power on
earth, In heaven, to stop this monstrous
thing? She flung out her arms like one
drowning and grasped the arms of the
chair
% Lord most holy. o God most mighty,
o holy and merciful Saviorg' she prayed.
'let not this deed of violence be donei Take
Oh God most mighty, Oh holy and merci-
full Saviourr F"
Holy and mighty and mercifur - the
words comforted and helped her. She lay
prone. clnging to the chair, saying them
over and over.
A horse. Jerry was returning. She
started up and fell back. Every particle
OF strength had left her. There was a
rap at the door.
Come ini' she faltered, staggering to her
feet and opening the door.
1t was Jerry. Nora was with him, and
behind them Sarah Wellmans rugged.
wrinkled face appeared.
Jack Perry-brought-a reprieve-from
the governors" Jerry's teeth Chartered.
'but.-ihe parSon-dropped dead-Wnen ne
heard the news!'
Katherine clutched the back OF the chair
Jerry" she said with tense lips, put
the grays into the surrey and drive me
down to the JAIL
Sarah Wellman came into the room; and
neighborhood kindness came with her.
"i'm goin. too. II you'll let me-" she said
quietly. Fetch her bonnet and shawl"
she added, turning to MIRA, and herself
wrapped her cloak about the younger wo-
man. as her mother might have done It.
Voices were heard above. OF the children
and Mabel and Miss Emmeine.
Quick" said Katherine. SELLING Mrs.
Wellman's arm. before they stop mel
And these two, who had never found
enough in common to bring them within
more than speaking distance of each other,
drove away. side by side. katherines hand
on Mrs. Wellman's knee under Mrs. Well
mans shawl. pressed by her hard kind old
palm.
1t was over. He was gone. She was left
behind. Nothing remained for her but the
last Offices. the heartbreak, the mourning
expressed by the Pieta. That was the way
of 1t. for a woman. To love, to long to
clasp. to cherish. and to be left with
memories and the consciousness of heart
made keen for aching.
(To be concluded tomorrow.)
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