, 1912-12-05

ed he circumference. 1auy Eveiyu
started and stared unbelievingly into
b darkness. striving to penetrate 1t
with her gaze. 1T was she-Penelope,''
she cried. coming to her feet She's
really gone-she meant It"
For many minutes she peered out
Into the night. expecting to see the
shadow returning. A touch of anxious
hope possessing her. she left the win
dow and hurried down the corridor to
Penelope's room. What she found
there was o convincing. Itswa. rot
o trick Of the lanterns. The shadow
had been real. 1t must be confessed
that the peevish heart Of Lady Bazel-
hurst beat rather rapidly as she has
tened back to the window to peer anx-
iously out into the somber park with
Its hooting wis and chattering night
bugs. The mournful yelp of a distant
dog foated across the black valley.
The watcher shuddered as she recalled
stories Of panthers that had infested
the great hills. A small feeling of
shame and regret began to develop
with annoying insistence.
An hour dragged itself by before she
arose %petulantly. half terrified. half
annoyed in spite of herself. Her hus-
band still was sitting in the big chair.
his face in his hands. His small. de-
jected figure appealed to her pity for
the first time in the two years of their
association. She realized what her
temper had compelled her to say to
him and to his sister. She saw the in
suits that at least one Of them had
come to resent.
II hope that foolish girl will come
back" she found herself saying. with
a troubled look from the window.
where can the poor thing go? What
will become of her? What will every
n say when this becomes known?'
she cried. with fresh %selfishness. 81
Il should not have let her go like
this"
Even as she r~eproached herself a
light broke in upon her understanding;
a thought whirled into her brain, and a
moment later a shrill. angry. hysterical
laugh came from her lips.
"She knew where she could 60! How
simple l am. Shaw will welcome her
gladly. She's with him by this time
his doors have opened to her. The lit.
tie wretch! And I've been trying 30
hard to pity her." She laughed again
so shrilly that his lordship stirred and
then looked up at her stupeHed, un-
certain.
"HulloT he grunted. What time
is it?"
"Oh. you're awake. are your scorn-
fully.
Certainly. Have l been DOING?
Whats there to laugh at, my dear2''
he mumbled. arising very ~unsteadily.
where's Penn"
she's gone. She's left the house,
she said. recurring dread and anxiety
In her voice. A glance at the dark
ness outside brought back the grow
ing shudders.
"What-what dye meanr" demand
ed he. bracing up with a splendid ef-
fort
"She's left the house. that's all. We
quArreled. don't know where she's
gone. Yes. ! do know. She's gone to
Shaw's for the night. She's with him.
! saw her going.' she cried. striving
between fear and anger.
"You've-you've turned her out?"
gasped Lord Bazelhurst numbly. ain
the night? Good Lord! Why-why
did you let her goT" He turned and
rushed toward the door, tears spring
Ing to his eyes. He was SOLDERING now
and the tears were wrenched from his
hurt pride. How long ago"
IAN hour or more. She went Of her
own accord. You'll find her at Shaw's,"
said her ladyship harshly. She hated
to admit that she was to blame. But
as her husband left the room, bang
ing the door after him. she caught her
breath several times in a futile effort
to stay the sobs and then broke down
and cried. a very much abused young
woman. She hated everybody and ev-
erything.