Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-21
| hysteria.

"Oh, Harriet, darling, please" sh
 quavered, you've promised me! Ant
 you can't refuse when it's nearly time
 I'm not going to faint or scream O
 anything like that. I'll be just a:
 brave as a-a-lion-no, not a lion
 maybe, but some other kind of anima
 that isn't so terribly afraid. Yol
 needn't be scared. I'll take care o1
 you, Hattie, dear. Now, do be sensible
 Isn't it time to go?"
 Miss Harriet looked at the timepiece
 nodded, sighed and took the others
 hand. They opened the bedroom door
 peeped out and listened. Nothing could
 be heard but the ticking of the hall clock, the sound of the wind outside
 and mellow snore that oozed from
 Mir. Renwyck's room across the hall
 TT wish he'd stop it," whispered Imogene; "it makes ones hair rise up. Don't let go my hand, darling-please."
 ''Hush," breathed Harriet and led the way along the silent upper hall.
 Slowly the two gentle conspirators tipped down the gloomy stairs, start ing at q cracking step beneath their feet fearful of dangers unknown, but menacing, that seemed to turk at every turn. In safety they reached the lower hall at last, paused, then drew aside the heavy portieres which masked the entrance to the library.
 If the hall outside was gloomy, the room which they entered was darker still. By sickly light which filtered through the draperies of the window opposite they could see the shadowy outlines of the desk, the top of silver inkstand and ghostly high backed chair, while in an angle of the wall they deserted the metal disk of the combination lock on Mir Renwyck's safe.
 They waited in silence till the clock in the hall behind them boomed out the hour of 8 in solemn, measured cadence, and as the last echo died away they heard cautious tapping on the window pane.
 "Oh, Lord, it's him" gasped Imo- gene, forgetting grammar and all else, indeed, except her human terror in the situation, while she clung to Harriet's arm and shook from head to heel. Don't tremble so, Harriet, darling. YOu-you make we want to scream"
 "S-s-s-h" her friend admonished. Don't speak above whisper now. Leave it to me. There: I'm not afraid"
 Miss Renwyck, having once keyed her nerves to the point of meeting q stranger in the dark, was not woman to falter in the crucial moment. A sense of calm was settling upon her, and. though her heart beat faster than was Its wont, she was now in posses sion of her every faculty and could face the danger without a tremor of her voice or hand.
 You keep the purse," she whispered to Imogene. stand where you are and don't speak single word. Really. lear, there isn't much danger. after lll. Yet remember" she smiled, you have promised to be a little lion, and the man is only 'Roddy -poddykins.'
 She wondered afterward at this flash lf humor, yet it chanced to be the saving grace, for the terrified Miss Imogene was crouched in the library doorway, striving at once to be the iing of beasts and to keep her teeth rom chattering. In both efforts. alas. the failed.
 Miss Renwyck crossed the room, fum- ,led an instant for the electric switch. hen turned off the burglar alarm. She dared not make light. lest it be noticed if any one came into the upper lall. Then. breathing an inward pray r. she unlatched the window. raised he sash and stepped backward to a Doint of vantage beside the desk.
 At first she saw nothing. but present. y found herself enveloped for an in tant in a flash of light from a small ,ulseye lantern and heard a low ex- of surprise from the dark less outside Harriet rose to the emer- .ency.
 MT. Fitzgeorge." she began in a .uarded undertOne. "I am Miss Ken vyck. Besides Miss Chittendon and myself. there is no one here.'
 There was silence for a moment.
 Do you give me your word on hat?' asked the voice.
 II do.''
 'On your honor as a lady?'
 "0n my honor"
 The light flashed out. and the head nd shoulders of man appeared hove the window sill. Wait" commanded Harriet. Are 'Ou alone:" Sure" said the man; you can see ! or yourself. Miss Renwyck," and hereupon he climbed cautiously into he room. He turned his bullseye carefully bout. CursoriIy inspected the hall out ide. appeared satisfied and slipped 1. is lantern into his pocket. An said ihe visitor as he caught {; ight of Miss ImOgene's bIoodless face. . You didn't go back on me. my dear. !
 didn't think you would. and I am | luch obliged 10 you" Stop said Harriet. You must | onduCt this transaction with me. 1 mogene. is this Mr.-FitzgeOrge?' Yes = faltered the shiverins youn- ] ldy- -It's-ii's he ~Very we'll Miss Renwyck began gain Then we needn't waste fur.