The Washington herald., 1912-05-26


brothers safety Never mind how
managed it. You had better not ask ;
you had better not know But your
brother will be reprieved II is a eer-
tain thing"
She drew long breath. Once more
her face was at any rate human. The
lightning filled the room with a sud-
den glare. She caught at him with a
scream. "Ohl / am afraid, | am
afraidp she moaned.
He passed his arm around her reas-
suringly. you are oyerwrought," he
said. You are almost at the end of
your strength"
He poured out some brandy and wat
er, and made her drink it. Her hand
shook so that he had to guide the glass
to her lips.
Listen" he said. you must keep
calm OF you will be III, and you will not
be able to help your brother Tell me,
have you eaten anything today!
Il don't remember" she gssped.
Deane rang the bell. Something TO
eat" he ordered. "for one, as quickly
as you can. And some wine-anything
will do"
Il was to the mans credit that he
1
or surprise. Once more they two
were alone.
IF YOU have any faith in me" Deane
said, "or any belief, remember what l
have told you Your brother is safe.
Tomorrow or the next day the re-
prieve will be signed"
Say it again" she gasped, clinging
to his hand
Tomorrow or the next day." he re-
peated firmly, the reprieve will be
signed. There can be no mistake There
will be none"
"Ahp she murmured, half closing
her eyes. 1T was to hear you talk like
this that | came could not have
borne it alone for another second.
Something in my head seemed to be
giving away"
The storm, too. is terrifying" he
said 'You were fortunate not to be
ten minutes later. LoOkF
He led her to the window. Across
the marsh was a darkness that was less
of the atmosphere than Of the falling
torrents Of rain-rain that fell in sheets,
! flung up again from the hard paths of
I the marshes in a white, fringe-like
foam. Seswsrd, the waves had become
breakers. The one white line had be-
come a dozen.
You would have been drowned" he
said. leading her back to her chair.
1T is good of you," she said, not
to be angry l ought not to have come.
know that. Only / was afraid. In
London / should have gone mad
The servant entered with a tray.
Deane stood over her while she ate,
walking up and down the room, talking
in a disconnected manner of many
things. Outside. the storm was passing
away. Through the wide open win
dows fresh salt air came stealing into
the room. Deane stood looking out for
few minutes. and then turned toward
his visitor with an air of Perplexity.
She met his gaze, and her eyes suddenly
filled with tears.
"Oh, l know / have been foolish" "
she said. Il am here and you don't
know what to do with me. Isn't that
what you were thinking, / have been
very foolish" she added, with a sud
den food of color streaming into her
cheeks. But remember, when | came
| was mad You will remember that =
Yes" he answered reassuringly. Il
will remember that"
There was an awkward silence.
Deane felt that it would have been tor
ture to her if he had alluded to that
moment of madness. and yet It was
hard altogether to avoid it
Il am afraid" he said, that you will
have to put up with bachelor quarters
tonight. You can have my room here
| have another which will do, but you
would find il a little rough"
She looked at him timidly. Couldn't
get back to the village
He led her outside and pointed. The
storm. coming with the full tide, had
wrought a strange change in the face
Of the land. Up to the very top of the
dykes was a turbulent waste of waters.
The tower had been left as though upon
an island Nowhere in sight was any
land to be seen.
You see" Deane said to the girl, 1t
would not be safe to try and get to the
village The water is UP to within
few inches of the dyke. and in the half
darkness one might easily make false
step. From here one cannot quite see.
but / should imagine that the food IS
over the village street"
She turned back toward the little
gray stone building. IF you will let
me sleep IN your sitting then,
she said tinidly Il will not turn you
out of your room"
He laughed. My dear young lady"
he said. If anyone in the world ever
needed sleep tonight, it is you. / am
going to send you up to lie down at
once You must promise me, promise
faithfully: that you viii remember what
have said. that you will say this to
yourself: The reprieve will GOMEZ 1t
is the truth, mind Say that to your
self and sleep =
Then he touched the bell and spoke
to ghis servant. Grant. please make
my room as habitable as possible for
this young lady We are on an island,
and no one will be able to leave to-
night Put out anything Of mine you
think may be useful to her.
She turned toward him impulsively
you are very good to me-" she said.
"My dear Miss Rowan. |. only wish
that il were in my power"
Then he St6Pped short After all, It
was not wise to tell her too much. He
raised her fingers to his lips, and avoid
ed, with a sudden twinge of self-re-
proach, the soft invitation of her tim
idly raised eyes
@You must sleep WELL" he said, as
he pointed the way up the stairs. Re
member, you can take what / have told
yoc as a promise"
CHAPTER XVI.