The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1911-03-10

the mad tumult Of suppressed feel
ings. She felt that she could not
wait until morning to tell that man
what she thought Of him.
But in the morning she did moth
ing Of the kind, for the explanation
Of this mans strange behavior had
suddenly come to her. Folwell--
how simple, and how surprising that
she had not thought Of it sooner
was a somnambnlist, sleep welker-
She did not attempt to define the
feeling of relief that came to her
with the thought.
Annie, at the breakfast table, cast
a compassionate glance across at the
visitor. Doubtless, the youth was on
the very verge Of a nervous break
down. She reproached herself for
having been suspicious of him.
On this day the youth vanished
from the house and did not reappear
until evening. Annie had no chance
to talk with him. The house seemed
strangely lonely and deserted during
the absence of their guest.
Folwell at last returned, hot, tired
and dusty. He offered no excuse for
having absented himself without ex-
planning to his hostess that he would
not return to lunch-and none was
demanded.
That night Annie again took up
her vigil behind the curtains Of her
boudoir. Presently, through the
murk of the dim night, she discOV-
cred her guest strolling leisurely up
and down the lawn.
Annie Hartwell, prepared for just
this, had not disrobed. Hurriedly
she tripped out through the French
window into the night, finging
gauzy scarf about her as she did so.
She joined the youth. Somewhere
she had read that sleep walkers were
always unconscious Of others in their
immediate proximity, and also that
it was not safe to wake them.
The youth quickly proved the fall
lacy of the former bit Of Annie's
knowledge. "Wh-why," he gasped,
suddenly turning as the girl Joined
him. 81 didn't hear you, Miss Hart
we'll"
Annie, thrown out Of the nut Of
her carefully thought-out plan, de-
cided to humor the somnambulist.
"There, there" she soothed, much as
she would have talked to baby.
"Don't pay any attention to me at
all, Mr.. Folwell, just pretend that
am not here"
"But that is impossible, Annie"
declared the youth, using the girls
given name for the first time.
Gust go on and do whatever you
intended doing" interrupted the
maid hurriedly. Something must
have brought you out here at this
time Of night"
Folwell gazed curiously at her.
"Would you like to know what
brought me out here" he questioned
softly.
eyes," exclaimed the girl, eagerly,
prepared to listen to confession.
"Well, them" began the man,
"you are the cause of it."
The girl gasped.
eyes, YOU" continued Folwell, as
II the girl had spoken her protest.
81 love you, and ON such short ac-
quaintance l was afraid to tell YOU
until now"
"My work here is completed
and successfully. l must return to
the city tomorrow. You are rich
now, little girl. II can't ask you
to marry me, but l want you to
know that | love you"
81 don't understand" cried the
girl. "You must be asleep. You
would not talk this way if you were
not"
81 have been on a search for bur
led treasure. The Hendersons, in
whose possession this old manse had
been until circumstances compelled
them to sell it to your father, were
very, very wealthy at one time, but
after the Civil war, during which
the head Of the house, Confederate
officer, was killed in battle, their star
of fortune waned.
81, who am the only remaining
descendant If Tho HeDdarsonc ba,,r