Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-21

The Man Lifted His Arm.
| position OF all. OF coure Il might
have been only her imagination. The
little pinch Of fright engendered OF the
moving shadow and the eerie hour
passed away. He- eyes grew pensive
again How stil Il was, Had Cor
don fallen asleep? He lay so quietly.
Had he srieved himself into slumber
as a girl would do? No-men were
not like that
All There was the moving shad-
ov again She caught her breath
quickly. Then her eyes grew wide and
nIed with terror. This time the
shadow did not stink away again. Il
came near the window, crouching. Sud
denly, Il stood up straight Merciful
Father, Why IL Il that n human be-
Ing. a creature OF reason and judy
ment. proving about at unnatural
hours, inspires tenfold more terror 10
his kind than does a brute in like cir
| cumstances OF time and place? Louise
| tried 10 scream aloud. Her throat was
parched. A sudden paralysis held her
speechless. IL was like a nightmare.
! She writhed and fought desperately
20 shake herself free Of this dumb
horror. The cold damp came out on
her forehead. Afterward she rem.m.
bered that she knew the man and that
IL was this knowledge that had caused
her nightmare OF horror TO be so I'M
speakably dreadful Now she was
conscious only OF the aviaineas of not
being able 90 CRY out. n she could
only awaken Mary, Tho man lifted
his arm. lie had something IN HIS
hand. It's terrible import broke the
| spell OF her sreechlessness.
Mary. Navy"
She thought she shrielIed. In real
ity she gasped out broken whisper.
but 90 thrilled so with terror and
pleadinc that Mary was awakened on
the instant she snrang cut OF bed.
AS her bare feet touched the floor a
pistol shot rang out close by. She
had been trained 90 quick action. and
superb health left no room for cob
webs 20 linger In the brain when she
was suddenly aroused. She had no
need for explanations. The shot was
enough. II more was needed there was
the lighted window across the way
and here was Louise crouched before
their own. Swiftly and silently she
seized her revolver from the bureau.
| glided 10 the window and fired three
times in rapid succession. the reports
mingling with the sound OF shattered
glass.
Il think l nit him the second time.
1 ~.
Il can't be sure"
She lighted a lamp and began to
dress mechanically. Louise stayed not
TO answer. In the hall she encountered
Paul Langford, just as another shot
rang out
Go back. Miss Dale" he cried. hur-
riedly but peremptorily. You mustn't
come. / am afraid there has been
foul play"
She looked at him It hurt. that
look.
He Is dead" she whispered. 4 am
going to him." and glided away from
his OBTAINING hand.
He hurried after her Others had
been aroused by the nearness of the
pistol shots. Doors were thrown open.
Voices demanded the meaning OF the
disturbance. Putting his arm around
the trembling girl LangfOrd FASTENED
across the street with her. AT the door
Of Gordon's Office he paused
Il will go in first. Louise. You stay
I here"
He spoke authoritatively; but she
slipped in ahead Of him. Her arms
fell softly over the bowed shoulders
Her cheek dropped to the dark, gray.
streaked hair. There was little change
seemingly. The form was only a lit
tie more relaxed the attitude only a
little more helpless. II seemed as II
he might have been sleeping. There
was sound. faint drip. drip. drip
in the room. 1t was steady, monoton
Gus, like drops falling from rain pipes
after the storm is over. Langford
opened the door.
Doc! Doc Lockhart! Some one
send Doc over here quick? Gordon
Office. BE quick about it," he cried
In loud. firm voice. Then he closed
the door and locked it. In response
TO his call footsteps were heard run
ming. The door was tried. Then came
loud knocking and voice demanding
admittanoe.
No one can come in but Doc" cried
Langford through the keyhole. Send