The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-09

WIS D@' ip sic Calico Ut maid 10 Ter ana tOS0uNl uoy nun "u
TIN" r gs f on Il no q f@r a b snaT rs e ,G Gomm bG @3neg Es WAN IN he w on
have had to issue from his room and take open part in the excite
ment of the moment.
A few minutes of quiet now supervened- During these he decided
that if he must keep up this watch-and nothing now could deter
him from doing so-he must take a position consistent with ms IS
sumed character. Detection by Georgian was what he now feared.
Whatever happened, she must not get the smallest glimpse of him
under the same roof as herself Yet he must see all, hear all that
was possible to him. For this a continuance Of the present condi-
how avert the Comment which this unusual state Of things must
light a cigar and sit in the widow. If questioned he would say that
he was engaged in deciding how ne would end the story he was
Tor good air; that had the weather been favorable he would have
obtained the latter by opening the window but 1t being 50 bad he
could only open the door Certain eceentrichies ar allowable IN
authors.
in smoke. With eyes fixed on the dimly lighted vista Of the hall
oeror nm NE "ameu mnat Would nappen mex rIl h nou Sa. ms wme
Ting on the rear stairway, and in another moment saw the maid
coming down the hall with a large tray in her hands. She stopped
at Anitras door knocked. and was answered by the harsh COM
SET it down. I'll get it for myself"
Next instant Mrs. Ransom's door opened.
81 can't cat I'm I'm too unset unset for r much mc ffo food d. Tea Ta% She wbiis8eTsE
land some nice toast. Tell Mrs. Dec that / want nothing else
she will understand"
arm was thrust cut from Anitras door and the tray drawn in. A
few minutes later the other tray came up and was carried into Mrs
Ransom's room. The contrast in the way the two trays had been
received struck him as showing the difference between the two
women, especially after he had been given az opportunity, a he was
later OF seeing the ferocious way in which the food brought to
But I anticipate The latter tray had not yet been pushed again
into the hall, and Mr.. Ransom was still smoking his first cigar when
he heard the lawyers voice in the office below asking to have pen
and ink placed in the small recepion-room. This recalled him TO
the real purpose Of his wifes presence in the house, and also assured
him that the opportunity would soon be given him for another
glimpse Of her before the evening was over. 1t was also likely
to be a fun-face one, as she would have TO advance several steps
directly towards him before taking the turn leading to the front
staircase.
He awaited the moment eagerly. The hour for signing the will
had been set at nine o'clock, but it wa surely long past that time
now. No, the clock in the office is striking; it IS lust nine. Would
she recognize the summons? AssuredIy; for with the last stroke
she lifts the latch Of her door and comes out.
She has exchanged her dark dress for a light one and has ar
ranged her hair in the manner he likes best. But he scarcely notes
these changes in the interest ne feels in her intentions and the man
ner in which she proceeds to carry out her purpose.
She does not advance at once TO the staircase, but Greens 6,sf
to her sisters door, where she stands listening for a minute or N
in an attitude of marked anxiety. Then, with a gesture exnressiye
OF repugnance and alarm, she steps quickly forward and disappears
down the staircase without vOuchsafng one glance in his direction.
His vision of her a 5 she looked in that short passage from room
to staircase vas mOmentary only, but it left him s~hudderinp. Never
before had he seen resolve burning to a white heat in the human
countenance. There was something abnormal in II, taken with his
knowledge OF her face in its happier and more wholesome asDccts
The innocent aHectOnate young girl, whose soul he mad looked uD-
on as a weeded garden, had become in a moment to his ewes \
suffering determined, deeply concentrated woman of unsusDected
power and purpose A suggestion of widness in her ali aided to
the mysterious impression She made; an impression which rendered
this instant memorable to him and set his pulses beating II = mn
quite new to them. What was she going to do? Sion ava,, III
her property? Beggar her heirs for He could not sav What NJ.
eNG0 AIC0 A k0I1G T4nI1 nor 0r~nH.A