The Washington times., 1908-11-15

throbbing thar was unzccoulbanied by
any feeling Or pain. but which. never
theless, had a disquieting effect on ny
nerves, ehecting a sensation OF irrf-
tation and detection.
This irritation was increased BY fhs
wait 20 which I vas subjected. Mn.
ute after minute went by. but in The
house I heard no sound The silence
became oppressive. Even the ONYX
clock on the mantcI seemed 10 havs
lost its voice. but as con pared its
dial with that Of my watch I found
that IL was ticking of the seconds one
by one.
At length the limit Of my pstiencs
was reached As glanced again ct
the clock saw that if was twenty
minutes aftef s. Had the butler faile5
10 give my card 10 Miss I4olIister2 II
he had taken IL 20 her. why did he rot
return? The odor Of the iodoform va
becoming uncomfortable
The idea occurred TO me 20 return
10 the hsll. take my hat and walking
stick. then 20 10 the front and again
ring the bell.
was just on the point or RISING
when I heard the low voice Of a man
speaking a the head OF the stairs 81
the hail. The voice that answered
was that ora woman. but 50 quietly
spoken were the words Of both thar
they were uninteligible TO me.
moment later 7 heard the Eof
rustling OF silk. Nearer and nearer II
came as its wearer descended the
stairs From where J sat 7 was IN -
bic TO command a view Of the hail.
but the sound Of the silk indicated
that the woman had passed the door
Of the drawing room without stop
ping and a low. quick cough assured
me that she was accompanied ~ q
man-prObably the one ] hard heard
speaking a few moments before.
Al the rear OF the drawing room was
a pair OF folding doors AS I now
looked toward these. a light suddenly
appeared between them am I saw that
they stood about six inches apart
Once more heard the voice 81 the
man
You appear to be in q hurry 90 g.
on" he said. There is no reason for
such haste, and -"
There IS a reason. an important
one"
The words were spoken quietly b8t
firmly The voice was that Of Miss
Rollister.
And what is the nature Of the res-
son, my DEAR" drawled the man 81
hooking accents.
Il have an appointment at 8"
with q frlend7"
Yes"
Ar And the exclamation was
followed by low. seif-satisfed
chuckle. wen. in view Of the fact
that you have already kept him wait
ing nearly half an hour. he must be
resigned TO his fate Let him wait
longer"
Il am going at once"
Not until you have affixed your sig
nature 10 the document that have
shown you. Here's table. pens. and
ink. Sit down, my dear"
There was a pause. Once L fancied
heard the cracking Of paper Then
Miss HOLSTER spoke.
Tomorrow. perhaps, but not to-
day" she said. and there was an IN
voice.
Why tomorrow. when it might 0s
done tOnightT'
Because 7 would have il So
There was another pause that vas
broken AZ length by the man
You wish TO consult some one con.
corning"
Yes"
Il have told you that it IS matter
that neither Of Us must conhde 10 =
third person"
There must be witnesses TO my sig
nature
True. but it is not necessary tha-
such witnesses should have any knowl-
edge Of the contents OF the instrument
The paper Is nothing more than =
power or attorney authorizing me O.
act for you IN the investment or funds
TO be raised on securities which 7 de-
Iivered to you at the time 7 rendered
10 YOU an account OF my guardianship.
three years aSo. They we're safe N
my hands then Why do you doubt
that they would be safe now2f
There vas a pause.
THE securities are not in my poses
sun Miss HOLSTER replied
''Nvt Ia your possession" cried the
other thickly.
NO. have committed them TO the
hands Of my lawyer, and Z will make
no other disposition Of them without
his advice"