The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1913-07-05

-. girl in a white ball gowI
k stone steps Light from the
arm. and shoulders. She bent her graceful head al"
erford. :. .
81 beg your pardon" she almost whispered; "mi'
Rutherford stopped and wheeled short.
FL really beg your pardon she sa'd' Out
ask you to find a cab?'
"a cabw he repeated uncertainty why, yes
at is urgent; but there is something esersometf
ficult for to ask you. ! must go to Willow BROOK
And IL have no money
ssThere is no train at this hour Of the morning.
"Then-then what am to do! 'he 'a'ereo'
ment in that house"
"There is nobody in the house." she said with
in Westchester; all the household there II cal
ago-unexpectedly-' She stammered under ms scr"
spar into her cheeks and she hid her whe race
Hetherford watched her for moment .
81 don't exactly understand" he said, gently, bu
you"
She dropped her arms with hopeless gesture
"But you say there is no train!'
"You could drive to the house of of your
mo, no! Oh. my friends must never know OF
'1see," he said sravely. ~ ~
mo. you don't see" she said un'te adily. lhe
frightened to DEATH
"Can YOU not tell me what has frightened you
eff tried to tell you, you would think me mad
you would, indeed"
"Try" he said soothingly.
"Wbv-whv il startled me to find myself in this
house." she began "You see, didn't expect to
come here | didn't really want to come here she
added piteously Oh, it is simply dreadful to come
like this!'
'Tel me-" he said in quiet voice.
''Yes-Pl tell you. At first it was dark-but l
must have known | was in my own room, tor fet
around on the dresser for the matches. And when
saw that it was truly my own room, and when
caught sight of my face in the mirror, terrified
me" She pressed her fingers to her cheeks with
a shudder. Then | ran down stairs and lighted
the lamp in the hall and peered into the mirror; and
saw a face there-a face like my own
Pale, voceless, she leaned on the balusrade fair
head dropping, lids closed. - =,
Presently, eyes still closed she said: You will
not leave me alone here-wl you" Her voice
died to whisper
"No-of course not he replied slowly.
"You see" she murmured, 81 dare not be alone;
dare not lose touch with the living. suppose you
think me mad, but | am not; | am only stunned
Please stay with me-"
"Of course" he said in a soothing voice. Every
thing will come out all right"
care you sure?
Perfectly | don't quite know what to say
how to reassure you and offer you any help"
He fell silent, worrying his short mustache The
situation a one to him.
Suppose" he suggested, that you try to take
little rest I'll sit down on the steps
She looked him in wide-eyed alarm. DO you
mean that should go into that house-alone"
"WelI--you oughtn't to stand on the steps all
night It is nearly o'clock. You frightened and
nervoS. Really you must go in sndN ~
'This nightmare is than ] endure alone
Pm not a coward none Of my "a. But | need a
living being near me. Will you Gomez
He bowed. She mounted the shadowy steps
without sound; and he followed warily, every sense
alert.
He was prepared to the end of this encounter
it through to explanation if it took all sum
mer. OF the situation, however, and of her, he hac
no theory. He that anything might hap
pen in New York, and, closing the heavy front door
he was ready for it.
The hall Jets were burning brightly. She askec
~ H.. I~o anAhS
did Co. curiosity now thoroughly aroused.
Slowly he turned to The girl beside him. warn
4 shadow dimmed her delicate features yet they were
the loveiest he had ever looked upon.
9