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


She could see his face distinctly. sill
houetted OIL the pearl gray wall. 1t
wore an expression Of strained concern
and Of deep helplessness. The instant
agitation and surprise blotted the puz-
zle Of his presence there. She forgot
that it was the dead Of night; that
she was in her nightgown 1t flashed
across her mind that some near and
desperate trouble had befal!en him.
All the protective and maternal in her
love welled up. She went quickly to-
ward him.
He did not move or stir. and then
she realized that. though bis eyes
seemed to look at her. it was with a
passive, tranced fxity. They saw moth
Ing. He was asleep.
She halted, u deep compassion and a
painful wonderment holding her. feel
ing with thrill the power she pos.
sessed over him. Then, like cold
wave, surged over her II numblng sense
of his position. How had he entered?
Had he broken locks like q burglar?
The situation was anomalous What
should she do? Walked abruptly. the
result might be disastrous. Discov-
cred, bis 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 lamp--an outer door
was open. At the same instant she
heard steps beyond the curve Of the
hall. Or. 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 resonrceful now. though her
cheeks were hot, she took the hand Of
the unconscious man. drew him silent
and unrcsIsting into the friendly shaG-
ow Of her room. closed the door noise
| lessly and bolted it.
For moment she stood motonless,
her heart beating violently. Had he
been seen? Or had the open door ere.
ated an alarm? Releasing his hand
gently. she found her way softly to a
stand, lighted tiny night taper and
threw n shawl about her. A sudden
confusion tingled through her veins,
sense Of ma;denly 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 md explain.
| Suddenly, In the tense silence of the
ROOM the martel clock struck in deep
chime. like the vibration OF faroff
church bell. The tone was not loud
indeed. the low roll Of the thunder had
been we'll nigh as loud-but there was
in the Intrusive metallic cadence q
peculiar suggestion to the dormant
mind. 1t penetrated the crust Of
sleep. 1t touched the inner ear Of tho
conscious Intelligence. Harry started,
q shudder ran through his frame, he
swayed dizzily. his hand went to his
forehead.
In the instant of shocked awakening
Jcssica 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 agonizcd
warning:
Flush! DO not speak. II Is I, Jes-
sica! Make no nolse"'
She felt her wrist caugh. in a grasp
that made her vince. His whole body
was trembling violently. "Jessicaw
he said in painfully articulated whis.
per Your Where am II"
This is my room" she breathed.
"Yon have been walking in your sleep.
Make no sound. We shall be heard"
A low exclamation broke from his
lips. He looked bcwideredly about
him, his eyes returning to her face
with q Mortified realization. "I-came
hereto your room?" The voice was
scarcely audible.
ut was I who brought you here.
You were in the hall. You would have
been 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!'
$50 much the better. 1t will be at
my proper .measure-as a prowler. .
housebreaker, disturber Of honest
sleep"
mo, mo-" she protested in n panic.
you shall not will not have you
taken for what you are not. know.
But they would not know. No one
must see you leave this room. Do you
not think Of mel"
He caught his breath hard. think
Of you" he repeated huskily. us
there even an hour when l do not
think Of your 10 there a day when
would not die to serve you? Yet In
my very Sleep
He paused. casing at her where she
stood In the half light, q misty, uncer'
tain 6gure. She was curiously happy.
The delicious and pangless sense Of
guilt. however-the guilt Of the hidden,
not the blameworthy thing-that was
tinglins through her was for hirs Q
shrinking and acute self rsproach.
| Abe WAn nilAnt uROr9iVA me-" he