The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-22
Bx JEAN DICKEfssoN.

Literary Press.
The flames whispered about the
dogs in the great fireplace and out
side OF the bungalow the trees lashsd
to end fro in the strong wilma. The
rain druinmed steadily on the roof
without one break in the steady
downpour until Nancy tossed her
ma gazine aside and walked the floor
to steady her nerves.
She was all alone in this little
mountain lodge: all about her was the
primeval forest filled with number
less vague terrors Of the night.
Nancy was afraid She had been
alone since 3 o'clock that afternoon
when her guest. Mrs. Carruthers, had
suddenly left for home in response
to a telegram brought through miles
OF dripping forest by messenger
from Bidwell station.
Timothy Finn. the man of oil work,
had harnessed the horses TO the DUCK
board and taken Mrs, Carruthers to
the station. At the last moment, TIM
othy's wife, Mary Finn. had climbed
in beside her husband. announcing
that she had a dozen errands to be
attended to in the village and that
She would be home with Tim in time
to prepare Miss Nancy's dinner.
IN the haste Of their departure and
the last hurried good-by from Mrs.
Carruthers. Nancy aid not realize
the significance of being left alone
in that isolated spot.
When the sound OF the wagon
wheels bad died away and there re-
manned only the rain and the wind
and the fire on the hearth she felt
a sudden pang of terror ct the lone
illness.
The Firms were addicted to drink
when opportunity offered, and Nancy
shuddered as she realized that II
might be hours before they returned
and they might not come horne un-
til morningi
She had fastened every door aad
window and had drawn the curtains
closely and pinned them at the eiges
SO that no curious eye might dis
cover that she was alone.
Hours passed. She tried to read.
but the printed words held no mean
ing for her. She opened the piano.
but the sound of the instrument only
intensified the stiffness.
The clock in the corner chimed 10
and still there was no cessation OF
the rain nor OF the iashng wind.
Nancy thought of her father down
in the. close. hot city, and she knew
he was counting the days till F'ridf.
when he would run up to the lodge
for his weeks stay. Every other week
Simon Mead spent up here in the
mountains. There was usually Jolly
party OF young people here, too, chap
eroned by Mrs. Mead, but now she had
gone 10 the city with her husband
and Mrs. Carruthers and Nancy Mead
had been left alone for few days.
II don't care how intoxicated they
are II they will only come declared
Nancy for the tenth time, IS she
listened in vain for the sound OF re-
turning wheels Il Simply can't stay
here alone all night
The clock struck IL. and almost as
II It had waiting for that hour there
If It had been waiting for that hour
there followed the sound Of a human
Voice outside. mans ~olce califrG
for help.
Nancy shuGdered. Perhaps Il Was
the F1nns coming homo. She tip
toed up the stairs that ran to the half
story under the caves and pushed
aside small easement window. The.
rein fell en- her hair and face. out
the night air felt cool and refreshing.
There was no sound Of VIII aeis. tut
q ye In came the mans voice:
Bungalow. ahoy! He:p!"
II was rot the rich brogae If TIM
othy Finn. nor was IT. the voice II n
backswoc dsman that cai.eu.
Nancy hardened to Its "a,l. @hud-
Gering at its growing feabieness. not
daring to go forth In answer to II.
fer she had from a child been afraid
ztst. e
erd this forest was a maze IN her
after sunset.
The voice sounded again; IT ~as
i from the lake. Some nsti. had met
! With an accident. and perhaps might
| die unless she could go 70 his al t.
Then the voice became silent and
| Nancy uttered q little sob and dashed
/ down Tie stairs 10 the coat closet
! she WRAPPED herself in :. large ulster
/ belonging to her father and let her
selr out into the dripping night
! She called once timitly. and ihe
! Aayfarer heard her and answered
18th note of hope in his voice.
Nancy made her way toward the
/ IL ke, now and then dumping hatt
trees or stumbling over roots. fer II
the pitch darkness she oou' 4 not gee
a hands breadth before her.
Here" sang the voice close
I hand. and Nancy fioundered through
/ the wet leaves until she touches
something alive, Supprsssing "a des'rt
to scream. she asked bravcly.
What liz the NATTER"
! II believe I've broken my Ieg-~lv'
! been lying here for several hours
! saw the lights of the bungalow. bu
/ it was so quiet there ] was afraid
I 1t was deserted II you can call ont
Of the men he might help me inside.
1t was a pleasant, refined voice will
! IA note of authority.
II will help you in said Nancy
/, firmly and she bent down TO assis
I him.
He was a big man. and heavy anf
whatever agony it cost him to craw
over the hundred yards that led Il
| the bungalow no one but himself evei
knew. Nancy went beside him, heip'
ing him over the rough places ana a.
I the front steps supporting him tntt
the house.
Il When the door closed behind hen
/! ne sank forward on the great beat
skin rugs and tainted away.
-,.t4 he fvp SRI