Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30

said. III you can. IL can never TOT
give myself. How can best goT'
For answer she moved to the WIN
dow. slender and wraithlike. He foi'
lowed silently. As she parted the cur
tain a second Of bright lightning re-
vealed the landscape, the dark hedges
and clustered trees. 1t blackened. ana
she drew him back. with hushed
word, pointing where lantern was
flashing through the shrubbery
ut is a Waterman" she said. ZIG
will be gone presently"
God help mel" he whispered, the
pent passion Of his dreams rushing to
utterance. "Why did I ever see your
face? was reckless and careless then.
I had damned the decent side OF mo
that now Is quivering nlive. nave
tried to blot your face from my mem
ory. but II Is useless. I shall always
see It,"
On the lawn Just outside the window
low voices were heard through the In
crenslng rain. They passed. and after
moment he softly unlatchcd the VIM
dow.
"Goodby." he said.
She stretched out her hand. He
touched T., then drew the window
wide. AS be stepped noiselessly down
on TO the springy turf the lightning
flashed again. pale green glow that
seemed almost before her face she
drew back, and the same instant,
through the thunder. the electric bell
on the wall rang sharply. She threw
on her dressing gown. thrust her feet
into slippers and hastened from the
room.
The same cash that had stnrtled Jes.
sica lighted brightly the physician and
the Waterman, who stood mt the cor
ner OF the building, having finished
their tour Of inspection. II was the
latter who had found the open door
and who had aroused the doctor. insist
ing that he had seen a man in the hall.
The other had poohpoohcd this. but
now by the lightning both saw the
figure emerge from the French window
and disappear in the darkness.
They ran back. the physician ahead.
The window was not locked. and they
stepped through It into an empty room.
ITO be sure" said the doctor disgnst-
eddy. HE was here all the time. heard
lis searching the halls and took the
first unlocked door he found. Miss
Holme, no doubt. Is sitting up with
Mr.. Stires. Not word Of this" he
added as they walked along the hall.
He barred tine outer door behind the
Waterman and went on. As he renched
David St,res room the door opened.
and Jesslca came out. She spoke to
him IN low. anxious voice. II was
coming for you" she said. Il am
afraid he Is not so we'll. | cannot rouse
him. Will you come In and see what
you can do"
The doctor entered. and a glance at
his patient alarmed him. Until dawn
he sat with Jessica watching. When
the early sunlight was flooding the
room. however. David Stires opened
his eyes and looked upon her quite
naturally.
"Where is Harry Sanderson?" be
asked. II thought he was here"
She looked at him with a forced
smile. "You have been dreaming" she
answered.
81 suppose So" lie said. with sigh,
''but It was very real l thought he
came in and spoke your name"
She stroked his hand. ut was fancy,
dear"
He lay silent n moment. Then be
said. "If 1t could only have been Har.
r. you married instead Of Hugh. for
be loved you. .Jessica."
She flushed as she said. "Ah. that
was fancy too"
1t was the first time since the day Of
her marriage that he had spoken
Hugh's name.
81