The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-06

deep as the old well outside And
even y you got 10 the bottom OF the
heart. you would only find just what
there Is at the bottom Of the Well"
why. that's water" SID MRS. Par
sons.
That's what there is at the bottom
ot my heart" said Alice, "wster-
tears. and the past is drowned in
them"
Then there is nothing more. be-
tween you2" asked Mrs. Parsons In
sidiously.
"Oh. yes. Isabel" said Alice. look
ing intently at her sister. there is
Iruch between US. Don't be alarmed,
sister-it is dead and there Is one poor
dead thing between us. one poor lit
tie dead thing that lies an impossible
a2rrier''
why. my dear" said Mrs. Parsons.
you talk Ike a dime novel. You
win be saying next that you hate Mr..
Jenner."
7 do"
''Heavensr' gasped Mrs Parsons.
you'll be terrifying me soon by say
ing you could XIII him"
Il could" replied Alice. Then added
with that incomprehensible smile OF
hers. that is. with a fair opportunity
and no risk OF discovery"
Heaven preserve US. cried Mrs.
Parsons. I shall have "a warn him.
II would not have taken very much
action on Mrs. Parsons part TO have
warned Jenner. for the room allotted
him in the queer old Drtch farmhouse
on the Hudson which Gilbert Parsons
had bought for a country home, was
but a little way down the corridor on
which Alice Greer's room opened and
was next TO that suite occupied by Mr..
and Mrs. Parsons. The new owners
had changed the name of the place
from Ruyter's Farm to Quiet Corner.
but they had had the good sense not
TO change any OF the physical charac-
teristics OF the old place. So they left
the open hearths with their nobs, the
trellised stcops, the bottle-b bottom
glass in the windows. the oven cup
boards, the heavy door-latches which
took the place Of modern locks and
keys, and the sweep-well in the word
This well lay Just below Alices win
dow, and in the white light OF
the moon. which was then at her full
every detail Of the antique contrivance
bucket, chain, rope, and retaining
notch could be seen as plainly as
though II were day. The water brought
up in 1.-The old oaken buckle" was the
coolest sweetest water in The whole
country side.
Imperturbable though Alice had ap-
peared, their sisterly yet uIsisterly
talk had much upset her. and there
was just as much reality as acting in
the little stagger which she made,
and the feeling Of faintness which
overcame her.
II must get a drink OF water" she
said, with hesitating step toward the
door. Il don't-feel-very we'll"
The slsterly came to the fore In Mrs.
Parsons. I'm get you a glass; she
said.
Not that faucet water" pleaded
Alice. ''It seems to me that nothing
but That ice-cold we'll water would sat
isfy me-"
IAN right" said Mrs. Parsons. I'll
get Hubby TO fetch you a glass OF it,
mo, don't trouble him.. objected
Alice. Hes gone TO bed. certainly
do feel foollshly overcome. 1 guess
I'm not thoroughly strong yet"
why, OF course. ii get you 5iaSS
Of the well water" said Mrs. Parsons,
swho was now all sisterly.
And I will sit here In the window
seat where I can see you. and where
you can see me al the time, so that
You need not be afraid"
SO Alice sat in the window seat be-
side the open window while Mrs. Par
sons ran down stairs and into the
well yard. There was no need Of a
lartern because OF the bright moon
light. the white radiance being so
clear and strong that Alice saw every
feature o. her sisters race and Isabel
- - - -, 4. -.