The Raymer enterprise., 1914-11-19
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n ; Of Her Hand
George Barr McCutCheon
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the place of that despairing, hunted
creature who knew that blood was OF
the hands with which she ate. ant
whose eyes we're filled with visions o.
the death-chair?
So great was her fatigue that lonf
before she finished the meal her tired
lids began to droop. her head to noe
in spasmodlc surrenders to an over
powering desire for sleep Suddenly
she dropped the fork from her fingers
and sank back In the comfortable
chair. her head resting against the
soft. upholstered back. Her lids fell
her hands dropped to the arms Of the
chair. A fine line appeared between
her dark eyebrows-indicatiye of pain
For many minutes Sara Wrandall
watched the haggardness deepen In
the face OF the unconscious sleeper
Then, even as she wondered at the
act, she went over and took up one oil
the slim hands In her own. The hand
OF an aristocrat! 1t lay limp In hers,
and helpless. Long, tapering fingers
and delicately pink with the return OF
| warmth.
Rousing herself from the mute con.
temptation Of her charge. she shook
the girls shoulder, Instantly she was
awake and staring. alarm in her dazed
bewildered eyes.
You must go to bed" said Mrs.
Wrandall quietly. Don't be afraid.
No one will think Of coming here"
The girl rose. As she stood before
her benefactress, she heard her mur-
mur as II from afar-off: Just about
your size and figure" and wondered
not a little.
You may sleep late. | have many
things to do and you will not be dis
turbed. Come, take of your clothes
and get into my bed. Tomorrow we
viii plan further"
But, madam cried the girl, II
cannot take your bed. Where are you
to"
IF feel like lying down. / shall
lie there beside you"
The girl stared. "Lie beside me?"
Yes. oh, am not afraid OF you.
child. You are not monster. You
are just poor. tired"
"oh, please don't! Please." cried
the other. tears rushing to her eyes.
She raised Mrs. Wrandall's hand to
her lips and covered 1t with kisses.
Long after she went to sleep, Sara
Wrandall stood beside the bed, look.
Ing down at the pain-stricken face,
and tried TO solve the problem that
suddenly had become a part Of her
very existence.
1T is not friendship" she argued,
fiercely. 1T is not charity, 1t is not
humanity. It's the debt owe, that's
all She did the thing for me that |
could not have done myself because
loved him. owe her something for
that"
Later on she turned her attention
TO the trunks. Her decision was made.
With ruthless hands she dragged gown
after gown from the innovations" and
cast them over chairs, on the floor,
across the foot OF the bed; smart
things from Paris and Vienna; ball
gowns, tea gowns. lingerie, blouses.
hats, gloves and all OF the countless
things that woman OF fashion and
goes abroad for that purpose and no
means INDUCES herself in when she
other to speak Of From the closets she
drew forth New York "tailor-sults" and
other garments.
Until long after six o'clock she
busted herself over this huge pile OF
costly raiment. portions of which she
had worn but once or twice, some not
at all, selecting certain dresses, hats
stockings. etc, each OF which she laid
carelessly aside; an imposing pile OF
many hues. all bright and gay and gilt.
tering. In another heap she laid the
somber things OF black: a meager as
sortment as compared to the other.
Then she stood back and surveyed
the two heaps with tired eyes, curl
Gus. almost scornful smile on her
lips. "There!" she said with a sigh
THE black pile is mine, the gay pile
is yours" she went on, turning toward
tho sleeping girl. What trayesty!'
Then she gathered up the soiled gar
ments her charge had worn and cast
them into the bottom Of trunk, which
she locked. Laying out carefully Sc
lected assortment of her own garments
for the girls use when she arose, Mrs
Wrandhll sat down beside the bed and
waited, knowing that sleep would no,
come to her.
CHAPTER lli.
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