The Washington herald., 1908-01-10

/ mean to stand between these children
and the harm you would do them"
Camilla stood like one transfixed
The letter luttered from her hand
and Law on the floor.
The strong light of the electric light
that was placed above her long mirror
fell mercilessly upon her.
Her radiant charm seemed blotted
out in this moment. She was like a
woman blanched with some acute phys
ical suffering.
This blow had fallen so suddenly. so
Unexpectedly She had always known
that she was an object of dislike. even
of hatred. to all her husbands people.
except, perhaps. his brother, that her
claim upon them was recognized
grudgingly; but she had quickly
taught herself to think about them as
little as possible Her dependence only
angered her when it had seemed to
demand something of her IL was not
the hurt 10 herself that sent the blood
running like ice in her veins il was
this stern revelation OF authority. this
demand for her children and the knowl-
edge that placed as she was defiance
to that authority was absolutely out
Of the question.
She put out her hand and steadied
herself by the toilet table: but she
trembled and swayed as she stood. and
once her eyes turned to the door ia a
hunted way. as though she could
fashion out of the shadows on the
landing the figure OF the stern old
man, who denounced her in words she
dared not repeat to herself. who claim
ed from her the dearest possession life
held for her.
The silent emptiness of the room
came upon her all at once as the clock
on the mantelpicce chimed three
Four hours of solitude stretched be-
fore her Four hours before she could
expect Dennis TO knock AT her door
Four hours Of heart degradation and
anguish, and deadly sickening fear,
She put up one cold hand and pushed
her hair back from her brow
1t seemed 20 her as if already she were
alone; already she had been robbed of
those little lives that made everything
sweet even the darkest hour
Il am frightened" she said 10 herself,
Il am frightened! frightened What
shall I do"
She began 10 pace the room. avertng
ner eyes from the letter that lay on the
floor. once she said with her pale lips
Violet has done this
Another time she almost cried aloud as
If with a sudden pain Then all al once
she stood still Her expression changed.
Her face famed with color, and she com
menced with cold. feeble fingers to get
out of her beautiful gown.
\ feverish intention born of that sudden
thought began 10 run like wildfire in her
veins She tore at the hooks. she had TO
thought for the delicacy Of the lace. or
the fragility of the material She almost
spurned the gown with her foot as it slip
ped from her and she veritably threw
aside the jewelry she had worn.
On her way to the door she only paused
to fold herself in her warm dressing
gown and TO shed her high-heeled satin
shoes. Then softly, and with that same
curious fever urging her on. she mounted
the stairs cautiously till she stood out
side the room where her children slept
Katherine was a light sleeper She
started up in bed nervously as she heard
the door open and some one move softly
into the room.
who is it, she asked "Who is there?
Is it you. Dennis? Has anything hap
pened?"
Camilla came 60 the foot of the he'd
She could not speak; she was breathing
hardly. with difficulty At first the girl
could not distinguish her CLEARLY. the
light was so dim; but almost Immediately
she recognized that IL was not Dennis
who had come, and, slipping in haste
from the bed. she went az once TO the
bowed figure that sat rocking itself To
and fro. breathing i'm that painful fash
ion. as if struggling with some great suf-
feTing
To BE CONTINUED TOMORROW