Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-18

matter tomorrow will do what we want TO-
night"
/ thought for few moments. why do you
want to stay so muchi" / asked
why do want to? All, are you man to
talk like that, and treat me so hardlyi Would
you like to be turned out of your home at night,
out Of a home where you had been happy-tor
the first time for so many, many yearsy
The anguish in her voice, her eager pleading,
had their effect on me, but also l felt that she
had It in her power to frighten Elsie terribly,
and that the means she had suggested to do
away with the difficulty of leaving my darling
at her mercy, promised security. made up my
mind quickly After all, If she chose to brnzen
matters out, I had no proof against her, and |
realized that with Mr.. Dunn absent and Elsie III,
my position in the, house at all was strange
one.
Go and find the servant" said; "she has
already seen me once today, but she may be-
lieve, nevertheless, that am doctor. In any
case, she must be persuaded to do what re-
quire"
"Thank you," she said; "T am grateful to you
for this at least" And with her noiseless step
8. left me, while took up position by the
curtain to await her return.
1t was some minutes before she came back
but she returned at last, bringing with her the
servant who mad opened the door to me IN tne
afternoon.
The girl had evidently risen and dressed in
haste, and her eyes, in which sleep struggled with
surprise blnked heavily; but looking at her keen
| ly saw that she had an honest, stubborn, coun-
try face, and felt that I could trust her.
! / quickly took out of my pocket all the money
/ had about met was three or four pounds
and put it into her hands.
| 'T want you to do something for me- said
quietly, "and it is very important that 1t should
be done exactly as l say
| -Fhe girl stared at me with the money lying
in her open hand, and then turned to Mrs. Cath
l. =. o1In
"Lsten to me-" I said firmly; Mrs. Cathcart
is not we'll 1t is necessary that someone should
remain with Miss Grey, tonight. Will you"
The girl nodded as if relieved, and her square
face frightened ooh, yes, sir" she said:
'Very WELL" continued, ego to Miss Greys
room, now at once. Lock the door, and remain
there until Mr.. Dunn returns. And remember
that on no account must you leave the room, or
allow any one else to enter it until your master
himself is here. Have you understood, and can
l trust you"
The girls hand closed on the money at last,
and she nodded, giving shard glance In the
housekeeper's direction. Yes SIT, you can trust
me-" she said.
Every well then, co. I replied, and passing
Mrs Cathcart with toss of her head, she went
to Elsie's room.
The housekeeper and I, left alone, stood il
silence for minute, she motionless, with hel
eyes still turned to the ground, and her lips
like her face, pale marble; l, waiting till
should hear the door of Elsie's bedroom close,
and know that she was under guard
The latch clicked at last in the distance, and
turned to Mrs. Cathcart. "You had better
go to your room now, | said; tomorrow shall
communicate with Mr.. Dunn"
For moment she turned her eyes up to mine;
for moment thought she about to break
out again; but, biting her lips as if she would
make her teeth meet in them she controlled her
self, and without word she left me-.
I watched her until her footstep died away
high up the stairs and then / turned to the
window With the aid of my pocket-knife, 1
iammed the fastening that it could not be
secured before morning, and closing it gently,
I stepped out on the lawn, and all being quiet.
/ made my way homewards to get few hours
rest