Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-01-17
CHAPTER XNl=Contlnued.

CHAPTER XVI-Continued.
And so it came to pass that at an
hour when all the other Woodworking
people in the building were asleep,
or at least striving to sleep, these two
men still sat at their work, one in the
light, the other in the darkness, fac
Ing each other, consciously to the one.
unconsciously to the other, across the
hollow well of the now silent court.
Eleven o'clock! Twelvel No change
on Brotherson's part or in Brother
sons room; but a decided one in the
place where Sweetwater sat. Objects
which had been totally indistingush-
able even to his penetrating eye
could now be seen in ever brighten
ing outline. The moon had reached
the open space above the court. and
he was getting the full benefit OF it.
But 1t was a benefit he would have
been glad to dispense with. Darkness
was like shield to him. He did not
feel quite sure that he wanted this
shield removed With no curtain to
the window and no shade, and all this
briiliance pouring into the room, he
feared the disclosure of his presence
here, or. if not that, some effect on
his own mind Of those memories he
was more anxious to see mirrored in
another's discontinue than in his
own
Was 1t to escape any lack of con-
centration which these same memo
ries might bring, that he rose and
stepped to the window? Or was II
under one OF those involuntary i'm
pulses which move us in spite of our
selves to do the very thing our judg-
ment disapproves?
No sooner had he approached the
sill than Mr.. Brotherson's shade flew
way up and he. too, looked out Their
glances met, and for an instant the
hardy detective experienced that in
voluntary stagnation OF the blood
which follows an inner shock. He
felt that he had been recognized. The
moonlight lay full upon his face. and
the other had seen and known him.
Else, why the constrained attitude
and sudden rigidity observable in this
lifted hand? A man like Brotherson
makes no pause in any action however
trivial, without reason. Either he
had been transfixed by this glimpse of
his enemy on watch, or-daring
thought had seen enough of sepul.
chral suggestion in the wan face
looking forth from this fatal window
TO shake him from his composure and
let loose the grinning devil of remorse
from its iron prison-house? If so. the
movement was memorable one. and
the hazard quite worth while. He had
gained-nu, he had gained nothing
He had been the fool of his own
wishes No one. let alone Brother
son. could have mistaken his face for
that of a woman He had forgotten
his newiy-grown beard. Some other
cause must be found for the others
attitude. IL savored of shock. if not
fear. II it were fear. then had he |
reused an emotion which might re- |
bound upon himself in sharp reprisal !
Death had been known to strike |
people staEding where he stood: mvs. |
tericus death of species quite unrec-
ognizable. What warranty had he |
that it would not strike him. and now? !
None
Yet il was Brotherson who moved |
first. With a shrug of the shoulder
plainly visible to the man opposite |
he turned away from the window and |
without lowering the shade, began |
gathering up his papers for the night
and later banking up his stove with
ashes.
Sweetwater, with a breath of decid
ed relief. stepped back and threw him
sell on the bed. IL had really been a
trial for HIM to stand there under the
others eve. slough his mind refused |
to formulate his fear. or to give him
any satisfaction when he asked him
self what there was in the situation
suggestive of death to the woman or
harm 10 himself
Nor did morning light bring conn
sci. as is usual in similar cases. He
felt the mystery more in Re hubbuh |
ana restless turmoil OF the day than
III the nights silence and inactivity
he was glad when the stroke of six
gave aim an excuse 10 leave the room.
Al haf past six be found the JAM
tor' re was. 70 ell appearance. in a
state OF great excitement and he
spoke very fast
won stay smother night IN that
room nc loudly declared. breaking
IN where the family were eating
breakfast by iamplieht I don't
want TO make any trouble ana
cont want 10 giYn my reasons; but
thai room don't 81 me. ia rather
eSfe tae dark ooe yoa talked about