The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-04-24
hYsteria.

"Oh. Harriet. darling. please" she
Nuavered. you've promised me! And
you can't refuse when it's nearly time.
I'm not going to faint or scream or
anything like that. I'll be just as
brave as a-a-lion-no. not lion.
maybe. but some other kind of animal
that isn't so terribly afraid. You
needn't be scared. I'll take care of
you, Hattie, dear. Now, do be sensible.
Isn't it time to go?"
Miss Harriet looked at the timepiece.
nodded, sighed and took the others
hand. They opened the bedroom door,
peeped out and listened. Nothing could
be heard but the ticking OF the hall
clock, the sound of the wind outside
and mellow snore that oozed from
Mr.. Renwyck's room across the hall.
IL wish he'd stop It," whispered
Imogene; lit makes ones hair rise up.
Don't let go my hand. darling-please."
Hush" breathed Harriet and led
the way along the silent upper hall.
Slowly the two gentle conspirators
tipped down the gloomy stairs, start
ing at cracking step beneath their
feet, fearful of dangers unknown, but
menacing, that seemed to Turk at every
turn. In safety they reached the lower
hall at last, paused. then drew aside
the heavy portieres which masked the
entrance to the library.
If the hall outside was gloomy. the
room which they entered was darker
still. BY a sickly light which filtered
through the draperies Of the window
opposite they could see the shadowy
outlines of the desk, the top Of a silver
inkstand and q ghostly high backed
chair. while in an angle Of the wall
they deserted the metal disk of the
combination lock on Mr.. Renwyck's
safe.
They waited in silence till the clock
in the hall behind them doomed out
the hour of 3 in solemn, measured
cadence, and as the last echo died away
they heard a cautious tapping on the
window pane.
ooh, Lord, it's himw gasped Imo-
gene, forgetting grammar and all else,
indeed, except her human terror in the
situation, while she chung to Harriet's
arm and shook from head to heel.
''Don't tremble so, Harriet, darling.
You-you make we want to scream"
"S-s-s-hv her friend admonished.
Don't speak above whisper now.
Leave it to me. There; I'm not afraid"
Miss Renwyck. having once keyed
her nerves to the point Of meeting a
stranger in the dark, was not woman
to falter in the crucial moment. A
sense of calm was settling upon her,
and, though her heart beat faster than
was its wont, she was now in posses
sion Of her every faculty and could
her voice or hand.
you keep the purse" she whispered
to Imogene. "Stand where you are
and don't speak single word. Really.
dear, there isn't much danger, after
all. Yet remember" she smiled, you
have promised to be little lion. and
the man is only 'Roddy -poddykins.'
She wondered afterward at this flash
Of humor, yet 1t CHANGED to be the
saving grace, for the terrified Miss
Imogene was crouched in the library
doorway, striving at once to be the
king of beasts and to keep her teeth
from chattering. In both efforts, alas,
she failed.
Miss Renwyck crossed the room, fun
bled an instant for the electric switch,
then turned off the burglar alarm.
She dared not make light, lest 1t be
noticed If any one came into the upper
hall Then, breathing an inward pray
er, she Unattached the window, raised
the sash and stepped backward to a
point of vantage beside the desk.
At first she saw nothing, but present
ly found herself enveloped for an in
slant in a fash Of light from small
bullseye lantern and heard low ex-
clamation of surprise from the dark
ness outside. Harriet rose to the emer-
gency.
"Mr. Fitzgeorge," she began in
guarded undertone, 81 am Miss Rem
wyck. Besides Miss Chittendon and
myself. there is no one here"
There was silence for a moment.
do you give me your word on
that?" asked the voice.
II do"
"On your honor as lady"
"On my honor"
The light flashed out, and the head
and shoulders Of a man appeared
above the window sill.
"Waitw commanded Harriet. "Are
you aloneT
"Sure," said the man; "you can see
for yourself, Miss Renwyck," and
thereupon he climbed cautiously into
the room.
He turned his bullseye carefully
about, cursorily inspected the hall out
side, appeared satisfied and slipped
his lantern into his pocket.
"Ahw said the visitor as he caught
sight of Miss Imogene's bloodless face.
you didn't go back on me, my dear.
didn't think you would, and I am
much obliged to you"
"Stopw said Harriet. "You must
conduct this transaction with me.
Imogene. is this Mr.-Fitzgeorge"