The Washington times., 1912-06-13
House of the PurpleWindows
tt By =-=
MARY KATHARINE MAULE
Copyright. The Frank A. Munsey Coz

Young Baramore then glanced at Mrs.
Chisleigh
Go en-" she whispered, don't worry
about me; can take care OF myself II 1t
small pearl-handled revolver in the
pocket Of her jacket.
The young man shot a quick, admir-
ing glance ,,, at her calm face. and. bend
noiselessly. with the ease OF recent
usage. It swung up until It rested
against the wall
As 1t opened the four leaned forward
,os TSroWins ;s the the light t.. of the electric
yawned at their feet. they saw mar
stant's hesitation Clifford Baramore
| stepped down and began to descend,
while the others. with their hearts in
their mouths followed close behind him
| The stairway went down some eight or
| ten feet. and terminated In a narrow,
With the light OFF. they stood for
lessly: There was not sound. Caus-
tiously Clifford slid back the switch Of
the light and let out a narrow stream.
As As o, ies feeble ray penetrated the
| they We're In a narrow passageway of
| which the walls and ceiling were Of a
most dark clay.
An underground tunnel whispered
yq% ladies had better turn bsefI'' 'l'"A
Please go on" whispered Annabel.
| I'VE are losing time here!'
Without another word the little pro-
| cesson set forward in single file, Lord
Baramore following his nephew, and
| the rear.
The passage along which they made
their stumbling way vas not more than
seven feet high and about three in
cement beneath their feet.
IT was strange. weird nerve prick
ing journey, and the hearts of ali four
were beating much faster than common
as. they stole noiselessly on.
| All at once young Baramore switched
out his torch and stood still. and the
tthcrs hushed their very breath to list
en-.
Around them was black, rayless dark
ness. A darkness so absolute and in
tense that 1t seemed to press upon
them( smothering them with its velvet
pail.
lnstinctively the women drew closer
toEethcr and Lord Baramore grasped
his stick tighter in his hand.
AS they STOOD thus, breathless, mo-
tionless, listening. there came to them
a'ntly the sound Of n child's voice. An
natel started ana almost cried out. and
Lord Baramore gave vent TO sort OF
gasp and pressed quickly forward.
With no light now. and as silently as
they could, they crept on, feeling their
way by the walls on either side. Sud
denly young Earanore stopped again
with a warning "S-sh?
Ahead Of the% they could see the
A little farther and a cry Of astonish.
ment, was checked on their lips, as q
compact stone chamber of medium size
and height opened before them.
In one corner of this chamber stood g
bed. IN another cot, and the place wal
| ~ IOhI rni had xxytth 49,
chairs and table, upon which burnet
candle In curiously-wrough iror
candlestick.
Across one END extended a rough. dars
curtain, and before this a woman wal
sitting, her head bent forward on hel
I knees.
That she was tall and gaunt was evi
dent. even In her STOPPING position. anC
the black hair that fell about her face
the black garments that clung to hel
emanciated figure, made Annabel's hear
leap. then thump wildly.
AS they looked the woman raised he
head and moaned aloud, and with {
| cry Lord Baramore Ieaped past hi
! nephew and rushed into the circle o
light.
. Janet Branscombn
The woman cried out and sprang t
= her feet, staring at him. And even a.
the echo of her cry rang through tn,
n passage the curtains at the back o
the chamber were pushed aside. ant
I | a white, scared, wild-eyed child face
. with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes
q loked out.
: For one pulseless instant Lord Bara
= more stood as If turned to stone, star
ing at her. Then, with a cry that RAJ
, cchotng through the place, he spran
a forward.
o "E.enore. Flenore!" he exclaimed. wit
e infinite feeling.
p Tho child. with an answering cry. wa
Y locked tightly to his breast.
: The Others bewildered lost in amaze
nent. scarcely able 20 believe the evi
> ~ forward, and the woman, tall, darn
d Caunt. With a llvil purple scar fror
e cheek to brow. stood with tears rainin
: down. her face, her hands claspe
h against her breast, murmuring agaI
u and again:
Thank Heaven! Oh. thank Heaven!
n 4 Continuation of This story Wi
], Be Found In Tomorrow
Issue of The TtneAs