Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-03

bcculcu tO iuUk ut ucT, II WuS Wltu U passive. tranced fxity. They saw noth- Ing. He was asleep.
 She halted, deep compassion and Q painful wonderment holding her, feel Ing with thrill the power she pos sessed over him. Then, like cold wave. surged over her q numbing sense of his position. How had he entered? Had he broken locks like burglar? The situation was anomalous. What should she do? Walked abruptly, the result might be disastrous. Discov- cred, his presence there when all slum- bered, suspected as he had been, would be ruinous. She must get him away, out of the house, and quickly. A breath of cool air swept past her, putting out the lamp-an outer door was open. At the same instant she heard steps beyond the curve of the hall, pr. Brent's voice peremptory and inquirlngy Her nerves chilled. He blocked the sole avenue of retreat. No, there was one other, and only one "a single way to shield him. Quiet and resourceful now, though, her cheeks were hot, she took the hand of the unconscious man, drew him silent and unresisting into the friendly shad- ow of her room, closed the door noise lessly and bolted 1t.
 For moment she stood motionless, her heart beating violently. Had he been seen? Or had the open door ere ated an alarm? Releasing his hand gently, she found her way softly to a stand, lighted tiny night taper and threw shawl about her. A sudden confusion tingled through her veins, sense of maidenly shame, opposing the sweet reminder of their real relation i ship-was he not in fact her husband? that lay ever beneath her thought to justify and explain.
 Suddenly, in the tense silence of the room, the mantel clock struck in deep chime, like the vibration of a faroff church bell The tone was not loud indeed, the low roll of the thunder had been we'll nigh as loud--but there was in the intrusive metallic cadence a peculiar suggestion to the dormant mind. It. penetrated the crust of sleep. It touched the inner ear of the conscious intelligence. Harry started, shudder ran through his frame, he swayed dizzily, his hand went to his forehead.
 In the instant of shocked awakening Jessica was at his side in an agony of apprehension, her arm thrown about him, her hand pressed across his lips, her lips at his ear in an agonized warning:
 Flush! Do not speak! It is I, Jes- i slca! Make no noiser' i She felt her wrist caught in grasp that made her wince. His whole body was trembling violently. "Jessica" he said in painfully articulated whis- per. You? Where am I2'
 'This is my room," she breathed. You have been walking in your sleep. Make no sound. We shall be heard"
 A low exclamation broke from his lips. He looked bewilderedly about him, his eyes returning to her face with a mortified realization. "I-came hereto your room?' The voice was scarcely audible.
 Tt was who brought you here. You were in the hall. You would have been found. The house is roused."
 He turned abruptly to the door, but she caught his arm. What are you going to do? You will be seenr'
 "So much the better. It will be at my proper measure-as prowler, a housebreaker, disturber of honest sleep"
 "No, no" she protested in a panic. You shall not 1 will not have you taken for what you are not I know. But they would not know. No one must see you leave this room. Do you not think of mef'
 He caught his breath hard. "Think of you" he repeated huskily. "Is there even an hour when I do not think of you? Is there day when would not die to serve you? Yet in my very sleep
 He paused, gazing at her where she stood in the half light, misty, uncer- tain figure. She was curiously happy. The delicious and pangless sense of guilt. however-the guilt of the hidden, not the blameworthy thingrthat was tingling through her was for him shrinking and acute self reproach.
 She was silent. Forgive me-" he said, If you can. IT can never for. give myself. How can best go?'
 For answer she moved to the win dow, slender and wraithlike. He fol- lowed silently. As she parted the cur tain second of bright lightning re- vealed the landscape, the dark hedges and clustered trees. It blackened, and she drew him back. with a hushed word. pointing where a lantern was flashing through the shrubbery.
 Tt is watchman." she said. "He will be gone presently"
 God help mel" he whispered, the pent passion of his dreams rushing to utterance. Why did ever see your face? was reckless and careless then. I had damned the decent side of me that now is quivering alive. I have tried to blot your face from my mem- ory, but 1t is useless. shall always see it."
 On the lawn just outside the window low voices were heard through the in-