The Washington times., 1912-06-06
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
House of the Purple Windows
MARY KATHARINE MAULE
Copyright The Frank A. Munsey Coz

la;ion settled down over the House Of
the Purple Windows.
At Hillcrest gloom and anxiety had
replaced the usual sunny atm osphere.
in spite of all their hopes and efforts,
Mrs. Paign made no Improvement, but
lay day after day rigidi and mottonless,
living soul in dead body, the suf-
fering, pleading eyes the only sign Of
To questions as to whether she was
suffering she closed her eyes once; to
those asking IL she wanted food or
water she Invariably responded by
Whenever Mrs. Chisleigh or Annabel
were near her she seemed tortured with
desire to speak, to unlock to them
some closed avenue of expression which
mere negative or affirmative answers
could not reach.
Gently. patiently, persistently, they
went from one subject to another, try
ing with all their power to, find the
thing that was tormenting her mind.
Always when they approached the sub.
ject Of the Jenningses or the night Of
her attack, she seemed relieved, and
closed and opened her eyes eagerly, as
If anxious to answer their questions.
But every time there came a point In
their questioning when she seemed 10
despair. Her eyes fixed themselves upon
snd shs tbsS faces oDene5 %5 ey Of s s
side to side, and became so eager, so
excited and wild that at last they
ceased questioning her entirely, fearing
into which It invariably threw her.
The morning after his interview with
Annabel in the garden, Barber appeared
at Hillcrest. and after an apology for
his abrupt departure of the morning
before. again offered his assistance.
Worried, perplexed, heavy of heart,
Annabel gladly accepted 1t.
For the first time in her life she felt
the need of a strong arm to lean upon,
and in this frank, honest, gentle-volced
young farmer she found a veritable
tower Of strength.
He never seemed tired, never discour-
aged, never lacking in new schemes
and plans for the Accomplishment Of
their object, no matter how unprom-
ising the outlook.
1t had been many years since there
was a man to give advice at Hillcrest,
and in the troubles that now surrounded
her she found the quiet forcefulness and
tact of this new friend very comfort
ing.
mabel came TO rely on him, and look for
his coming. She depended upon his
judgment in a way that surprised her
self
He paid her no compliments, assumed
none of the airs of gallantry so common
to the young men of her acquaintance,
but treated her with brothcrly consid-
Grafton and great Difference.
AS she became better acquainted with
him she was surprised at his general
knowledge and learning.
1t was evident that he had Travelled
much, although he never talked of his
journeys, and that he was we'll edu-
Gated, though he seemed at some pains
TO concealed the fact.
In the little village where the girl
had grown to womanhood she had
found few intellectual companions and
her keen Intelligence and active mind
leaped eagerly to meet a broader ex-
perience and bigger mind than any she
had known.
AS they walked and talked together
she felt a new life spring up in her
spirit, new incentive to accomplish
ment, and the evenings they spent at
Hillcrest talking and reading together
were the happiest she had ever known
surrounding them.
The fact that she was interested in
her determination to find the Jenninges
and restore the unfortunate child spur
red her on, and one morning when he
rode over to Hillcrest she met him with
an excited face.
Come over to the old house with
me-" she called to him. Il had a
dream last night. 1 want to look at
Barber willingly accompanied her,
The keys Of the house had been left at
Hillcrest., In spite of the bright morn
ing sunshine, the two young people
shivered a little as they unlocked the
ponderous front door.
The house was as silent as a grave,
and full of the odor of mold and decay.
Annabel led the way rapidly through
the rooms into the kitchen. There she
paused and looked about with wrinkled
brow.
Il don't know" she said with her
hand to her forehead: 1T was all SO
vague, so indistinct. I seemed to see
this kitchen in my dream, and little Liz
zie was standing here. l saw her pass
through a door-and then she went out
of sight.
A Continuation of This Story VIII
Be Found In Tomorrow
Issue of The Times.