The Washington herald., 1910-11-30

stances / might have been tempted 10
take advantage of. For she was dis
tinctly making up 10 me. l could see
that very plainly. She did like me. So
was unchivalrOus enough. or chivalrous
enough. IL you Ike. 10 try to keep her'at
arms length. though that is putting it
rather too strongly.
II was not so easy. though. that night.
with the seclusiOn, the comfortable open
fire. the soft lights and the rain outside
The situation was romantic I was alone
with a pretty girl, prettily gowned, and
quite frankly DESTROYS OF little more in
innate companionship than I vouchsafed
Somehow l was rather proud of myself
having at that time, after all, such hay
reasons for forbearance. / scarcely need
add 10 this that I was becoming fond OF
Miss Fielding. In spite Of the puzzllng
mystery about her. She was alluring In
any mood. My intuitions, however, were
all for caution.
With such distractions the hours flew
fast. The candles burned low and flick
cred till we talked only by the light of
the fire. She told me good deal of her
life as a girl-there were no iapses of
memory at that time-how she had been
left an orphan and had always been
more or less of hermit thereafter Part
OF the time she played with my hand,
quite as a child might. Part of the time
she sat. her chin at her knees. gazing
into the dying flames in the fireplace.
Then she would smile, look up suddenly,
and quote some nonsense rhyme, or make
fun OF my discretion. Her body was
never quite still: she was nervous and
restless. If nothing else about her NOV
ed, her toe would be describing little cir
cles on the rug.
She and Leah helped me upstairs at 10
O'Clock Miss Fielding flung me a CHEEKY
Good night. Chetr and went into her
room alone
few minutes after I heard a soft
tapping at my door Leah was there
with jug of milk and some biscuits.
Il thought you might like something TO
eat perhaps. before you went 10 bed. ="
she said. Miss JOY forgot TO speak OF
IT,"
THANK you. Leah I said. taking the
little tray. I was about to close the door
when she gave me a look that delayed
me.
did you want anything else?" I asked.
DO YOU mind II I speak 10 you for a
minute?' she asked. She STOPPED and
listened intently for a moment
Leah, where In the world are you?"
Miss Fielding called impatientiy.
Leah spoke I'm an undertone TO me.
please wait. I'll be in as soon as I
can" Then she went into Miss Field
ings room.
I left my door ajar and sat down by
the window. The rain had ceased. and
a full moon was breaking through
masses Of drifting cumulous clouds over
the top of the hin behind the house.
could hear the dogs swapping and growl-
ing occasionally in their sleep. and be-
low. in his little box OF a room off the
library. Uncle JerdOn's deep snoring.
must have been there for fifteen minutes
before Leah reappeared with her candle
She shut the door noiselessly and came
softly up 10 my side
Mr.. Castle, how are you feeling nOw?'
she asked.
"Oh. I'm afraid I'm getting well" I
said. smiling. Why Do YOU think I
ought to be leaving?" 7 asked the ques-
ton loosely, but she took it up with
seriousness.
I'm really afraid you'd better Mr.
Castle" She looked me square in the
eyes Her own shone very wide and
deep.
Il don't wish 10 hurry you. she went
on. but it will be much better for you
to leave as soon as you can. You'll for
give me for mentioning il, won't you? 7
hope that you won't think that ! don't
realize my position: butt can only say
that I am doing what I think is best IF
I weren't so sure that you are a gentle
man and a friend Of Miss joys, I'd never
dare mention it. But. oh, therell be
trouble If you stay. and heaven knows
we've had trouble enough" Her voice
grew lower at the end OF her sentence,
and then she breathed poignantly. "Oh.
please 60"
I felt pang of seif-reroach and a
great pity for her. "Oh, I'll go," I reas-
sured her II understand Or. at least,
if 7 don't quite understand, I'm sure
you're quite right, ] think ! can get
away tomorrow morning If you'll get
the carriage for me-"
TN attend to that Uncle Jerdon can
drive you 10 the station. And don't,
please, mention 1t TO Miss JOY that
spoke 10 YOU about H. She may ask you
10 stay-she likes you. really; but she
doesn't know what ! know, and | don't
dare tell her, She clasped her hands
and pressed them closely to her breast
in the intensity Of her feeling as she
added you must help me. Mr.. Castle,
! have nobody else to turn to-"
Are you sure that I can't help you by
staying here?' ! asked. I'm do any
thing YOU suggest Why can't you trust
meo ] dread to think OF your having to
fight It out alone. whatever it is"
"Oh, I don't dare TO tell have no
right TO tell" she mOaned. turning half
away. looking down. Indeed, / wish
might It's breaking my heart" She
turned TO me again with a desperate
glance wen get on. somehow"
The doctor win help you. won't he?
Surely you can trust him?"
She gave me frightened look, and her
white teeth shone through her parted
l:ps. cleaning in contrast TO her fine.
dark face. Then her eyes strayed again,
can be uusted7'
Why nOt?" I replied, watching her
sharply. How. at any rate, can / tell
after having seen him only once?"
She gave a quick indrawn sigh. "Oh,
once was enough for mel"
'You mean-that you don't trust him?"
1 exclaimed in surprise.
I mean I'm not sure that / do" She
was speaking slowly now, choosing her
words with an effort. That's quite as
bad, isn't IL? For don't know what to
do about him. I am afraid that 1 may
make things worse. perhaps
You're sure that you can't tell me?"
ooh, darent! IF were only sure. I
might, but even then 1t would be hard 9"
Her voice was plaintive, and yet her ac-
cent was decisive.
There was pause, in which thought
or many things. AS I waited. uncertain,
my eyes stayed on the fine. erect. col
ored girl before me, so passionately lovaI
to her mistress. so dellcately sensitive 10
the anomalous part she was playing.
Though her resolution had in no way
broken down. I could see how she was
wrought upon, how difficult a position
was hers in that strange house.
''Well," I said hnaIIyy, there's. of
oofrp1a r7ofFffnr ma ~ IL