Daily Arizona silver belt., 1908-10-30

houetteu on tue pearl gray wall. II wore an expression of strained concern and of deep helplessness. The instant agitation and surprise plotted the pug gle of his presence there. She forgot that 1t was the dead of night: that she was in her nightgown. It dashed across her mind that some near and desperate trouble had befailen him. All the protective and maternal in her love welIed up. She went quickly to- ward him.
 He did not move or stir. and then she realized that. though his eyes seemed to look at her. 1t was with passive. tranced fxity. They saw noth- ing. He was asleep.
 She halted. deep compassion and painful wonderment holding her. feel ing with thrill the power she pos sessed over him. Then. like a cold wave. surged over her a numblng sense of his position. How had he entered? Had he broken locks like burglari The situation was anomalous. What should she dor Walked abruptly. the result might be disastrous Discov- cred. his presence there when all slum- bered. suspected as he had been. would be ruinous. She must get him away, out of the house. and quickly.
 A breath Of cool air swept past her. putting out the iamp-an outer door was open. At the same instant she heard steps beyond the curve of the hall. Dr. Brent's voice peremptory and inquiring. Her nerves chilled. He blocked the sole avenue of retreat No. there was one other. and only one "a single way to shield him. Quiet and resourceful now. though her cheeks were hot. she took the hand of the unconscious man. drew him silent and unreslstlng Into the friendly shad- ow of her room. closed the door noise lessly and bolted 1t.
 For a moment she stood motionless her heart beating violently. Had he been seen? Or had the open door ere ated an alarm? Releasing his hand gently. she i:und her way softly to a stand. lighted tiny night taper and threw shawl about her. sudden confusion tingled through her veins. a sense of maidenly shame. opposing the sweet reminder of their real relation ship--was he not in fact her husband? that lay ever beneath her thought to justify and explain.
 Suddenly. in the tense silence of the room. the mantel clock struck In deep chime. Ike the vibration of faroE church bell. The tone was not loud indeed. the low roll of the thunder had been well nigh as ioud-but there was in the intrusive metallic cadence peculiar suggestion to the dormant mind. It penetrated the crust of sleep. It touched the inner ear ot tho conscious intelligence. Harry started. shudder ran through his frame. he .wayed dizzily. his hand went to his forehead.
 In the instant of shocked awakening iessica was at his side in an agony of apprehension. her arm thrown about him, her hand pressed across his lips. her lips at his ear in an agonized warning:
 Hush! Do not speak! It is l, Jee- sica! Make no noise~
 She felt her wrist caught in a grasp that made her vince. His whole body was trembling violently. "Jessicaw he said In q painfully articulated whis- per. "YouE Where am I?'
 This Is my room." she breathed. You have been walking in your sleep, Make no sound. We shall be heard"
 A low exclamation broke from his lips He looked bewideredly about him, his eyes returE.,ng to her face with mortified realization. "l-came hereto your roomT' The voice was scarcely audible.
 Tt was l who brought you here, You were in the hall. You would have seen found. The house Is reused"
 He turned abruptly to the door. but she caught his arm. What are you going to do? You will be seen!'
 "So much the better It will be at my proper measure-as a prowler. a housebreaker. a disturber of honest sleep!'
 "No. nov' she protested in panic. "You shall not. will not have you taken for what you are not l know. But they would not know. No one must see you leave this room. Do you not think of meT'
 He caught his breath hard. Think of your he repeated huskily. 'Is there even an hour when l do not think of you1 Is there a day when would not die to serve you? Yet in my very sleep
 He paused. gazing at her where she stood in the half light a misty. uncer- tain figure. She was curiously happy. The delicious and pangless sense of guilt. however-the guilt of the hidden. not the blameworthy thing-that was tingling through her was for him shrinking and acute self reproach.
 She was silent. Forgive me-" he said. .if you can. I-I can never for. give myself. How can best goT"
 For answer she moved to the win dow. slender and wrsithlike. He fol-