Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-10

with an EFFORT, the strain OF WHICH rs
tonished her. she succeeded in dragging
herself to where her eau-de-colOgne bot
tie stood; and after drinking few drops
mixed in water, and bathing her temples
and face, she threw off the hysterical
feeling, and sat down again, and was soon
able to smile at her weakness.
To that mood a feeling Of intense thank
fulness succeeded. She had not only es-
capped from the peril of death but had
saved Eva. The danger had been real
and terrible, but it was over now. The
last of the fearsome risks had been met
and beaten. And she began to count
up the advantages she had gained In
frightening Dorrison from the house.
She had indeed won the very thing
she most desired. 1t was all-important
for her plans that he should be absent
and 1t was out of the question that. after
such a scare he would venture to re-
turn until she and Eva were well away
on their journey. Once away, she would
have no difficulty in dealing with him
But she would take no risks even foI
the rest of that night. She would con-
tinue her watch. Not that she feared
Broadstone, now that his evil genius was
gone. He was a coward of towards at
heart, too despicable to be feared in any
her vigil.
She set the door between the two rooms
open. therefore. and laying aside he;
black cloak sat down to wait for the
daylight and think out her course In de-
tail.
In this way the time slipped past until
she heard Eva cry out She hurried in
and found her sitting up in bed. You
called, dear?'
.'Ah, you, Margaret. How good you
r1
been dreaming and woke in a fright.
Wee you watching?
II could not sleep. That's all. / was
IN my chair
Il thought some one tried my door.
l was dreaming. of course. Just a night
mare. I suppose. But l seemed to be
awake when l heard 1t.
There Is no one. dear Sadie switch
ed up the lights and showed her the
room was empty save for themselves. and
she said. smiling.
Il am so foolish / know" declared
Eva But it seemed so real. l shall be
so glad when We get away. ! think I
want some sort OF change. l am Sd
stupidity nervous.
I'm sit here till it is light. Eva. l
can't sleep. so one place is as good as
another: and she drew her chair to the
bedside. Shall l read you off to sleep
again?'
She began to read in low tone. and
presently, as Eva was about to doze on
again Sadie heard, or thought she heard.
q faint movement i'll the corridor outside
the door of the room. She stopped to
listen, but Eva woke at once: and, un-
willing to rouse her fears, Sadie con-
tinued to read lntil her charge had
droI ped asleep.
Putting the book down. Sadie went to
the door and listened. All was still out
SIDE Yet it was singular that they both
should have heard some sort of move
ment. Could any one be about at such
a time? II so. for what purpose? Was
the attempt 10 be renewed in some
form?
Softly and silently she passed back
through the room and entered her own.
The door leading from the corridor stood
ajar. She could have taken an oath that
she had not only closed it. but locked
1t also.
She turned up the lights. The room
was empty. A touch of unusual nervous
ness came TO her. and she closed and
locked the door now. without venturing
to go outside into the passage.
Then she examined the room. Every