The Washington herald., 1909-07-04
The Vigil.

* where he was, smoking cigarette after Gig
4 arctic. his brows knit in anxious thought and
by one the lighted windows faded into
darkness and he knew the whole crescent slept Not
sound was heard the laundering breakers on
the beach
AT last he stole softly into the house and in
few minutes emerged enveloped in a long warm
cloak Without pause he strode silently into the
night and the quick. alert step told OF a definite
purpose.
a little over an hour he was back again Ar
Wayside, and keeping close under the shadow OF the
silent houses he skunk along unobserved till he
reached the hospital that stood By Itself some
what back from the main road.
Not entering IA by the gate but Ike a midnight
burglar, climbing over the low wall he was soon
crouching under the windows. from some OF which a
faint glimmer was stl shning-the night light OF
some weary sufferer longing for the morning Very
cautiously he approached OF these feebly lit win
doWs and tried 20 peer within. But the fast-drawn
blind Afforded no chink. and he turned away with a
sign tae trled al the windows. with like result
Il had hoped 1 might see something" he whispered
to himself Now. there Is nothing but wait and
watch and listen"
Hour after hour he stood motionless while the
S@S@ts @ %aeeled IN their courses over the heavens.
- ne ne ISlo "e.e Jhe PetG1ant cries OF those in PAIN
o1 me Stodns Of the sleepless-
AFRAID that the morning light would soon surprise
MN MN IN tAe pace Of MS hiding. ne was about turn
came clearly 70 his stralning ears
heard the qaeraous cry ana sound Of one moving
caused heart 10 beat Ike hammer in his b~.t
and ne kne-t on the sward under the silent stars
FoE he heard wOmans voice singing low. soft
lullaby that ne knew Wen:
oh. hush thee my baby. thy sire is a knight"
It was enough. With glad haste he sped along the
the birds were beginning to twi,ter in ~ 9ssI 5 "a
Jle sun 10 rise IN glow Of glory the eastern
The next morning the count was down betnes
oTe4miess sleep instead OF in lone vigu under the
Gilbert Rutherfurd ate his breakfast IN silence
ts4Illy BY the way, when do you purpose returning
looking up sadly; "our mission is accomplished
4 ne olner smiled curious smile. saying in his
SIDE TO see some friends in Boston; VIII you wait
Iapped the end Of a cigarette on his thumb-naiL
once more could help wondering at the heart
Iess3ess Of The man who had chided him the
qIfd1i And thus without any show Of feeling they parted
days more, and the count promising 10 be back
- No sooner was the count out Of sight Of the hotel
ana s1@n ne ordered the driver 10 take him 10 wayside
out and bade him, walt his return
oI once more he knocked boldly at the door Of the
ing face Of the tall woman in charge
This is the hour for visitors" said the InatrOn
% r. II "a n01sH @ b Sbe WIua & Jnq6 AZ me me door IN his face
bly, pushing open the door and walking into her
The matron looked at the determined face Of the
bandbox and there was a look Of disdaia mingled Il
with fear her stern face.
What right have you" she began.
"Sit down." he said peremptoriIy He toved idlv
with his mOnocle he continued with a smile $50
Mrs. Knight is stil with your
she is not here said the matron after DauSe
Pardon madam" he said suavelv but Won
are a-a-vhat is the English wOrd2 I intend TO see
this Mrs. Knight who is, as you doubtless know the
missing Lucille de ia Valiere. J have come All ma
way from Berlin 70 her. She is a this moment
In the farthest east along with her little bOv
"Oh. what shall dOH" walled the woman seeing
that the secret known she entreated me to
shield her"
And have done your best" Very gently he
pushed her aside and made his along the "a ssage
In answer to his knock the voice he knew so well
said, Come in" The blinds tightly drawn and
ne looked about the room for any sign the woman
ne loved
who are your" the voice spoke from the bed;
and he stepped forward and knelt down
Lucille, he said, I am come 10 You with
glad message"
At the sound Of the voice Lucy uttered a low
moan, and hastily covered her head with the bed
clothes.
"oh. go away. go away" he heard the voice say
Don't look at Raoulr'
All right dear. you hear meT'
"W hat is it?'
81 have come with message from your-your hus-
band. He is here. He is IN agony OF longing to take
you 70 his heart again. He wants you badly Lucille
MY husbandr the stihed voice said with intense
earnestness.
Yes, your husband. Let bring him to you II
viii be the most glorious hour OF my life"