The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-22

withstanding the coarseness of the ex.
pressi0ns. the voice was Georgian's
and laden with a hundred memories.
Ransom now decided that II he
must keep up his watch-and nothing
now could deter him from doing go
he must take position consistent
with his assumed character. Detec.
ton by Georgian was what he now
feared. Whatever happened. she must
not get the smallest glimpse of him,
or be led by any indiscretion on his
part to suspect his presence under
the same roof az herself. Yet he must
see all. hear all that was possible to
him. For this q continuance of the
present conditions. an open door and
NO light. were positively requisite.
But one expedient suggested ITSELF He
would light cigar and sit In the win
dow. II questioned he would say
that he was engaged In deciding
how he would end the story he was
writing; that such contemplation call.
cd for darkness but above all for
good air; that had the weather been
favorable he would have obtained the
latter by opening the window; but It
being so bad he could only open the
door. Certain eccentricities are al.
lowable In authors.
This settled, he proceeded to take
Q chair and envelope himself in
smoke. With eyes fixed on the dimly.
lighted vista of the hall before him,
he waited. What would happen next?
Would his wife reappear! No; sup.
per was coming up. He could hear
dishes rafting on the rear stairway,
and In another moment saw the maid
coming down the hall with q large
tray In her hands. She stopped at
Anitra's door. Knocked. and was an
swered BY the harsh command:
"Set II down. I'll get II for myself"
The maid set It down.
+ Next instant Mrs. Ransom's door
opened.
Don't be too generous with me-" he
heard her call softly out, II can't
eat I'm too upset for much food.
Tea" she whispered, "and some nice
toast. Tell Mrs. Deo that want
nothing else. She will understand"
The maid nodded and disappeared
down the hall Just as a bare arm was
thrust out from Anitra's door and the
tray drawn In. A few minutes later
the other tray came up and was car.
ried into Mrs. Ransom's room. The
contrast In the way the two trays had
been received struck him as showing
the difference between the two women,
especially after he had been given an
opportunity, as he was later. of seeing
the fsrecious way In which the food
brought to An!tra had been disposed
OF.
But I anticipate, The latter tray had
not yet been pushed again into the
hall. and Mr.. Ransom was still smok-
ing hia first cigar when he heard the
lawyers voice in the office below ask.
ing to have pen and ink placed in the
small reception-room. This recalled
him to the real purpose of his wife's
presence In the house, and also rs.
sured him that the opportunity would
soon be given him for cnolher glimpi.o
OF her before the evening was over.
1t was also likely to be full-face one,
as she would have to advance sew.
eral steps directly towards him be-
fore taking the turn leading to the
front staircase.
He awaited the moment eagerly.
The hour for signing the will had
been set at nine o'clock, but 1t was
surely long past that time now. No,
the clock In the ONCE is striking; it
IL just nine. Would she recognize the
summons? Assuredly; for with the
last stroke she lifts the latch Of her
door and comes out.
She has exchanged her dark dress
for light one and has arranged her
bair In the manner he likes best. But
he scarcely notes these changes in the
interest he feels In her intentions and
the manner in which she proceeds to
carry out her purpose,
She does not advance at once to the
staircase. but creeps first to her sis
ter's door, where she stands listening
for minute or so In an attitude OF
marked anxiety. Then, with a ges-
ture expressive Of repugnance and
alarm. she steps quickly forward and
disappears down the staircase with
out vouchsafing one glance in his
direction.
His vision of her as she looked in
that short passage from room to stair
case was momentary only, but it left
him shuddering. Never before had lie
seen resolve burning to a white heat
In the human countenance. The inro-
cent. affectiOnate young girl. whose
soul he had looked upon as a weeded
garden, had become in a moment to
his eyes a suffering. determined, deep
ly concentrated woman Of unsuspect-
ed power and purpose. What was she
Going In dO2 Sign awav all her nrOn-