Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-18

,aat Il would be moro remote from
the battle ground below. >
And, resting so. was suddenly chilled
through and through with fear. sheet
childish dread of the Intangible and
unknown terrors that iurked In the
blackpcss above her. II was ~ II
rendered representative by strain and
excitement, the quivcring filaments oil
her subconsciousness. like spiritual
tentacles feeling ahead Of her. had
encountered and recoiled from q shape
Of evil. . specter OF horror obscene and
malign. crouching. ready to spring
there, in the shadow OF night.
And her breath was smothered In
her throat and her heart smote 80
madIy against the frail walls OF Its
cage that they seemed like to burst
while she stood transfxed. frozen In
inaction, limbs stiffening. roots OF her
hair stirring. fingers gripping the ban
lister rail until they panied her: and
with eyes that stared wide into the
black heart Of nothingness. until the
hight seemed pricked with evanescen'
periods Of din fire. peopled with mon
strous and terrible shadows closing
about her.
Yeti was absurd! She must not
yield to such puerile superstitions.
There was nothing there.
There was something there
something that like an incarnation OF
cts hor
II only she dared scream! II only
she dared turn and fly, back tn the
comfort Of light and human corr
pany!
There arose . trampling Of feet IN
the hallway: and she heard Maitlands
voice like a far echo. as he bade the
police good night. And distant and
unreachable as he seemed. the sound
of his words brought her strength and
some reinsurance. and she grew
slightly more composed. Yet, the in
slant that ne had turned away to talk
to the cabman. her fright OF that un
speakable and incorporeal menace
flooded her consciousness like a great
wave, sweeping her-metaphorically-
of her feet. And indeed, for the time
she felt as II Drowning, overwhelmed
In vast waters, sinking. sinking into
the black abyss a syncope.
Then, as a drowning person-we're
told-clutches at straws. she grasped
again at the vibrations of his voice
What was he saying?
you will wait outside. please. until
I come out or send somebody. whom
you will take wherever directed. -
Speaking to the cabman. think
ing of her, providing for her escape!
Considerable and foresighted as al
ways. How she could have thanked
him! The warmth OF gratitude that
enveloped her almost unnerved her;
she was put to it to restrain her i'm
pulse to rush down the stairs and
But no; she must not risk the
chance OF rebuff. How could she fore
tell what was in his mind and heart
how probe the depths Of his feeling
toward her? Perhaps he would re
ceiye her protestations in skeptic spir
It. Heaven knew he had cause to!
Dared she To be repulsed! =.
But no. He had provided this means
for fight; she would advantage her
self of 1t and and thank him
by letter. Best so: for he must ever
think the worst Of her; she could
never undeceive him-pride restrain
ing and unfolding her.
Better SO: she would go, 60 quickly
before he discovered her absence from
the fat.
And incontlnently she swung about
and few down the stairs. silently
treading as lightly on the heavily
padded steps as though she had beer
th.stledown whirled adrift by the
wind. altogether needless Of the
creeping terror she had sensed on the
upper aight, careless Of all save hel
immediate need to reach that cab be
fore Maitland should discover that she
had escaped.
The door was Just closing behind
the cabby a. she reached the bottom
step: and she paused. considering that
It were best to wait moment, al