The newspaper., 1909-03-19

20 escape, Dy drowning tne uoiSe VI
her movements.
For two eternal seconds she was
edging stealthfly down toward the
outer door; then, in no time at all.
found herself on the landing and
confronted by fresh complication.
one unforeseen: how to leave the
house without being observed.
stopped, and perhaps detained until
too late? There would be men at the
door, beyond doubt; possibly police
stationed there to arrest all persons
attempting to leave.
No time for weighing chances. The
choice of two alternatives lay before
her: either to return to the alcove
or to seek safety in the darkness of
the upper fioors-untenanted. as she
had been at pains to determine. Tn,
latter seemed by far the better. the
less dangerous. course to pursue. And
at once she took It.
There was NO light on the first-
floor landing-it having presumably
been extinguished by the janitor early
in the evening. Only feeble twilight
obtained there. in part reflected glow
from the entrance hall. partly thin and
diffused rays escaping from Maitland's
study. So it was that the first few
steps upward took the girl into dark
ness so close and unrelieved as to
seem almost palpable.
At the turn of the staircase she
paused, holding the rail and resting
for an instant. the while she listened,
ere ascending at n more sedate pace
to n haven of safety more complete In
that It would be more remote from
the battle-ground below.
And. resting so. was suddenly chilled
through and through with fear. sheer
childish dread OF the intangible and
unknown terrors that lurked in the
blackness above her. II was as f.
rendered supersensitive by strain and
excitement. the quivering filaments OF
her subconsciousness. like spiritual
tentacles feeling ahead of her. had
encountered and recoiled from shape
OF evil, a specter of horror obscene and
malign. crouching. ready TO spring.
there. in the shadow of night.
And her breath was smothered In
her throat and her heart smote so
madly against the frail walls of Its
cage that they seemed like to burst.
while she stood transfixed. frozen In
inaction. limbs stinening. roots Of her
hair stirring. fingers gripping the ban
lister rail until they nained her: and
with eyes that stared wide into the
black heart Of nothingness. until the
night seemed pricked with evanescent
periods OF dim fire. pcopled with mon
strous and terrible shadows closing
about her.
Yeti was absurd, She must no;
yield to such puerile supersiiuons.
There was nothing there.
There was something there
something that like an incarnation Of
hatred was stalking her
n only she dared scrcam' II only
she dared turn and ily. back 10 the
comfort OF light and human com
There arose trampiing OF feet in
the hallway. and she heard Maitland's
voice like far echo. as he hade the
police good night And distant and
unreachable as he seemed. the sound
Of his words brought her strength and
some reinsurance. and she grew
slightly more composed Yet. the in
stant that he had turned away TO talk
to the cabman. her fright of that un-
speakable and incorporeal menace
flooded her consciousness like great
wave. sweeping her-metaphorically
of her feet And indeed. for the time,
she felt as II drowning. overwhelmed
In vast waters. sinking. sinking into
the black abyss of syncope.
Then. as a drowning person-we're
told-clutches at straws. she grasped
again at the vibrations Of his voice
What was he saying?
you will wait outside. please. until
come out or send somebody. whom
you will take wherever directed. -
-Speaking to the cabman. think
ing of her. providing for her escape!
Considerable and foresighted as al
ways. How she could have thanked
him, The warmth OF gratitude that
enveloped her almost unnerved her;
she was put to II to restrain her i'm
pulse To rush down the stairs and
But no: she must not risk the
chance OF rebuff. How could she fore
tell what was in his mind and heart
how probe the depths OF his feeling
toward her? Perhaps he would re
ceive ber protestations in skeptic spir
II. Heaven knew he had cause to!
Dared she To be repulsed!