The Detroit times., 1910-02-17
CHAPTER 1.-The Portrait.

Ailsa stood there with a certain
curious exultation in the knowledge
that she was no longer afraid Here
was a real and tangible danger, SO
different 20 those suggested by the
utter loneliness OF the dreary old
house. This was no spirit from the
other world. but a real, live man, who
hac no business here. He vas bur
clar after some OF the valuables with
which the house was crammed, ana u
vas Ailsa's obvious duty TO hand him
over 10 the police without delay.
BUT was he no more than the avei-
age burglar? II seemed absurd 10
think so. but Ailsa's instinct told her
that there was something more thah
met the eye AS she stood there she
could hear the passing cabs OUTSIDE
and the tramp OF policeman truus'
inc along his beat. IL would haEe
been so easy for Ailsa TO slip quletiy
down the stairs and call the oihcer III.
And yet she stood there, hesltatine'
curious, and not afraid. III TINS Ihah
had been a real burglar he could nave
filed his pockets and departed DIS
quickly as he had come. But ne seeu'-
ed 10 be looking about him Tor some
definite object. AS he moved again
presently IL struck Ailsa that he must
he familiar with the house. Ihere
xas none OF that fumbling hesitation
about the stranger. Perhaps he had
forgotten his bearings for moment,
hence the striking OF the match. a
discharged servant, perhaps? But DIS
charged servants do not wear diamond
rings OF price.
Then a sharp and sudden thought
came 70 Ailsa Had this man any
thing TO do with the injury TO the old
woman lying in the kitchen? susan
had declared that her hurt had been
caused by accident: she had been I'M
necessarily emphatic on this point.
Even in her semi-delusion she had
seemed very anxious TO shield some
body. Ailsa made up her mind that
she would go downstairs and make
sure. II was easy TO feel her way 10
the handrail and creep down nolseless-
| " In her stockinged feet.
Old Susan still sat In her chair with
her eyes closed. She was breathing
more easily now. she seemed TO have
fallen into deep sleep, the heavy
sleep of intox!cation as II appeared.
But Ailsa knew that there was MOTH
ing of the kind here. 1t might be n
cruel thing 10 do. but she laid hand
on Susan's shoulder and shook her
forcibly. The old woman opened her
ewes. and glared round her as II IN
terror.
"You1l be found out" she whisper.
ad "He is certain TO find out, and
You'll go to jail Mind you. nothing
oan save YOU from that. But II was
cutie an accident"
The woman repeated the last sen
tence flercely, as IL trying TO convince
others of what she did not herself be
Iueve. Ailsa waited for the fit of an
ger TO pass. -
what is that man doing UPSTAIRS
sha asked sternly. Tell me at once.
Susan sat UP suddenly, and her eyes
cleaned There was look in them
"a cold and revengeful that Ailsa fair
I " staggered back The old woman
staggered 10 her feet. and caught the
oirl by her two wrists I'm a grip o.
steel Her manly strength and vital
lit came positively as a revelation to
/ Ailsa. She was terribly frightened,
7 but she would not show II. She had
Tread somewhere that II was the best
thing TO display GOODNESS and courage
in the face OF dangerous lunacy. and
I that old Susan had suddenly gone
rad. she did not for moment doubt.
u cost the girl n great effort to keep
! bnck the cry OF pain and fear that
struggled for utterance at her lips.
And she felt quite sure. too, that old
Susan knew all about the man up