New-York tribune., 1907-09-08

T,HE girl in the green mask leaned against the
foot OF the bed and IDLY fingered a revolver
which lay IN the palm of her daIntIly gloved
hand The dim glow Of the night lamp enveloped
Re- softly. and added q sinister CLINT to the bright
steel Of the weapon Covering IN the bed was
another figure-the figure of woman Sheets and
blankets were drawn up tightly to her chm and
s-a-tled eyes peered anNlouSly as II fascinated at
t1e revolver,
Now please don't screa1nl'' warned the masked
g.-t Her voice quite casual, the tone IN which
one might have discussed 4 affair of far removed
personal interest. 1t would be perfectly useless,
ard besides dangerous
Who are you." gasped the IN the bed.
s-ar5ng horror stricken At the InscTuable mask d"
her visitor What do you want.
4 FAINT flicker of amusement lax III the shadow
e-es Of the masked giri. and her red lips twltched
slightly. L don't think | can be mistaken, She
sd inquiringly This IS Miss Isabel Leigh Hard
Yves" was the chattering reply
Originally of Virginia:
Great granddaughter of William Trenlaine
E4riing an officer IN the Continental army about
The infection of the questioning voice had risen
almost irIlrercettbv; but the remained coldy.
ezquisitelv courteous At the last question the
masked girl leaned forward a little exPectantly
GeS. faltered Miss Harding family
Good very good commented the masked
g.rl. and there MAS note OF repressed triumph III
Ter voice 4 congratulate you. Miss Harding,
upon Your self possession nder the same clTcuIf-
Stances most women would have begun by scream
jrg | should have myself
But who are you." demanded Miss Harding
again How did YOU get in here: What do you
F-ant>
She sat bolt upright IN bed. with less OF fear no%
tla1 curiosity her manner and her luAurant hllii
f,1nbled about her sernibare shoulders IN pro1use
Gsheyelnent
= the sudden movement the masked girl took
f-rnt-r grrp on the revolver and moved II forward
{ little threateninglv- - Now please don I make
any rristaket she advised Miss Harding pleasantly
You will notice that have drawn the bell rope up
l.evond your reach and knotted IT The servants
are on the floor above IN the extreme rear, and
doubt If they would hear q scream Your com
r,anjo Is away for the night and besides there Is
this She tapped her weapon significantly
-Furt hermOTe. may notice that the lamp Is
bevond your reach; that YOU cannot eXtlngulSh
= as long a remain IN bed
Miss Harding SAN all these things, and was con-
vnced-
Now as TO your question. continued the masked
prl quietly. Ny identity IS of absolutely no con-
Ce-ra or importance YOU. You would not even
recognize my name Il | gave It 70 you 10" did
ge- here! Bv opening unfastened window N the
drawing room on the first floor and walking n
shall leave il unlatched when | 90; perhaps You
had better have fasten Il, otherwise thieves
NAV enter She smiled little AT the astoniSh-
1seT1t in Miss Harding's face " NOw IS TO whE
am here. and what | want
She sat down on the foot Of the bed, drew her
clpk more closely about her, and folded her hands
IN her lap Miss Harding placed pillow and ounged
against It comfortably, watching her visitor N
as-grish-rent Except for the mask and the