Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-31

There was no light on the first
floor lhnding-it having presumably
been extinguished by the janitor early
in the evening. Only feeble twilight
obtained there, in part reflected glow
from the entrance hall. partly thin and
difYused rays escaping from Maitland's
study. So it was that the first few
steps upward took the girl into dark
ness so close and unrelieved as to
seem almost palpable.
At the turn OF the staircase she
paused. holding the rail and resting
for an instant, the while she listened,
ere ascending at more sedate pace
to haven OF safety more complete In
that 1t would be more remote from
the battle-ground below.
And. resting so, was suddenly chilled
through and through with fear, sheer
childish dread Of the intangible and
unknown terrors that lurked In the
blackness above her. 1t was as II,
rendered representative by strain and
excitement, the quivering filaments OF
her subconsciousness, like spiritual
tentacles feeling ahead Of her. had
encountered and recoiled from shape
OF evil, a specter of horror obscene and
malign, crouching, ready to spring,
there, in the shadow Of night. -.
And her breath was smothered p
her throat and her heart smote So
nadly against the frail walls Of its
cage that they seemed like to burst,
while she stood transfixed, frozen In
inaction, limbs stiffening, ROOTS Of her
hair stirring, fingers gripping the ban
lister rail until they panied her; and
with eyes that stared wide into the
black heart of nothingness, until the
night seemed pricked with evanescent
periods Of dim FIRE, peopled with mon
strous and terrible shadows closing
about her.
Yeti was absurd! She must not
yield to such puerile superstitions.
There was nothing there.
There was something there {.
something that like an incarnation OF
hatred was stalking her. :.
II only she dared scream! II only
she dared turn and fly, back to the
comfort Of light and human COM
pany!
There arose q trampling of feet In
the hallway; and she heard Maitland's
voice like far echo, as he bade the
police good night. And distant and
unreachable as he seemed. the sound
of his words brought her strength and
some reinsurance, and she grew
slightly more composed. Yet, the in
slant that he had turned away to talk
to the cabman, her fright Of that un.
speakable. and incorporeal menace
flooded her consciousness like great
wave, sweeping her-metaphorically-
of her feet. And indeed, for the time,
she felt as II drowning, overwhelmed
in vast waters. sinking, sinking into
the black abyss of syncope. -.
Then, as a drowning person-we're
told-clutches at straws, she grasped
again at the vibrations OF his voice.
What was he saying?
"You will wait outside, please, until
/ come out or send somebody, whom
you will take wherever directed. :"
speaking to the cabman, think
ing of her, providing for her escape!
Considerate and foresighted as al
ways! How she could have thanked
him! The warmth of gratitude that
enveloped her almost unnerved her;
pulse to rush down the stairs and :.
But no; she must not risk the
chance OF rebuff. How could she fore
tell what was in his mind and heart,
how probe the depths of his feeling
toward her? Perhaps he would re-
ceiye her protestations in skeptic spir-
it. Heaven knew he had cause to!
Dared she =. To be repulsed!
But no. He had provided this means
for flight; she would advantage her
self OF it and and thank him
by letter. Best SO; for he must ever
think the worst of her; she could
never undeceive him-pride restrain
ing and unfolding her.
Better SO; she would go, go quickly,
before he discovered her absence from
the fat
And incontinently she swung about
and flew down the stairs, silently,
treading as lightly on the heavily
padded steps as though she had been
thistledown whirled adrift by the
wind. altogether needless Of the
creeping terror she had sensed on the
upper flight, careless of all save her
immediate need to reach that cab be-
fore Maitland should discover that she
had escaped.
The door was just closing behind