The Detroit times., 1910-04-07

Ailsa hesitated moment before she
replied. She had had occasion 10
change her mind very considerably
about old Susan OF late. There was
! time. and not so very long ago, that
she and the ancient servitor had been
very far apart.
Il have come 10 her way OF think
ing" she said. Susan Is strangely
secretIve. but | am gradually finding
my way into her confidence. She has
been very good about the poor creature
who came here from next door. and
rather gather that old Susan hitherto
has been acting under the influence OF
her husband. She seems 10 be terribly
afraid of Thomas. But what has all
that 10 do with it?"
Everything. as you will see lit
tie later on. II You have patience.
Stern replied. Il implore you 10 wait
and trust that am acting i'm your best
interests. Ask Susan IL she does not
think exactly the same as myself.
Ailsa sighed just little impatiently.
Ii seemed so hard TO have TO give
everything. and yet get. practically
nothing In return. Perhaps John
Stern saw this. for his face grew eager.
Il implore you TO continue your
noble confidence" he cried. IL swear
10 you that you shall and us all In
every respect worthy of IT,"
Again was the ring of sincerity In
the voice OF the speaker that had Inn
pressed Ailsa. despite herself. more
than once before She would go lit
tie further with the business. she de-
cided. She bowed her head coldly and
went along the corridor. She said
nothing TO old Susan as 10 what she
had seen; she took her place quietly
by the side Of the injured women.
She's sleeping beautifully" Susan
whispered She'll want nothing for
n long time yet I'll go and get bit
of rest in the dresslng-room.'
There was silence In the house
again. a silence that was likely TO re-
main undisturbed for the next few
hours TO come. for breakfast was rare
~ earlier than ten o'clock at No. Is.
end Susan was seldom about before
nine. Ailsa closed her eyes for a
moment: she was not quite so fresh
and vigorous perhaps as she had mag
ined. Anyway she closed her eyes,
and presently she slipped off into de-
licons. dreamy sleep. " was the
healthy sleep of youth: the minutes
and the hours licked off. and yet Ailsa
did not move. When she came 10 her
senses again the sun was hiSh over
head, there were sounds of people NOV
ing in the house. then passionate up
rising OF voices in the dressing-room
beyond With a thrill of outlines.
Ailsa recognized the tones OF her guar
dian. She felt that in some way she
had betrayed her trust She gave one
hurried glance NJ the bed whereon the
patient was still sleeping peacefully;
then she crept over 10 the door OF the
dressing room. which was not quite
closed. Beyond II she could see the
white passionate face of Colville. and
the logged features Of old Susan They
were both breathing very loudly.
you are fool" old Susan NUT
tered "A Jealous unreaSOning fool.
and you have been one all your life
time. | tell you you are mistaken.
tell You that YOU shan't go into my
bedroom II | have 10 drive you out
with this knife. What do YOU mean
By it,"
BY way OF reply Colville held up a
tortoiseshell comb in his hand With
a thrill Ailsa recognized the harp
shaped comb that the injured woman
had been wearing on her arrival next
door before the dreadful assault had
taken place.
II picked that up in the corridor.
Colville said There is no other Ike
it in the world. You lying old wretch,
what have you done with-my wife?'