The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-10-29

70 sweeping. and DOrcas counted Az
sently each quick scuff of the broom.
Once the maid dropped 1t and the
stick fell on the floor with startling
rap. Occasionally her dragging foot
steps clattered across bit of bare
floor or she paused to thump the pill
lows vigorously. Dorcas was reused
from her reverie by the imperative
call OF the telephone. She listened
while Mrs. Billerwell answered 1t.
Then the doorbell rang and she heard
Merry's voice. She began to grope
about. the dim room In search OF
matches to light the gas. She was still
in darkness when he tapped at the
door.
Andrew seated himself in shadowy
corner beside the window. A gllmmer
of light from street lamp fell upon
the girls face. In her eyes was an
appealing loneliness which he had
never seen before.
Miss Dorcas," he began with grave
gentleness, what can l Go for you!
You know me fairly well. There is
nothing heroic about me. I doubt il
l could fight a duel. It makes me
shiver even to touch pistol-but l
am ready to stand up to be shot at II
it will make things easier for you"
II believe you would said Dorcas
with an unsteady laugh.
81 swear 1 would" he assured her
with simple gravity. The girl felt
deeply moved.
There will not be any shooting. and
l don't know exactly what you can do
for me. l don't even know what to
ask you to do. / thought OF turning
to Mr.. Oswald at first. didn't. felt
| could come to you more easily"
THANK you for saying that" An
eager happiness flushed into the mans
face which seemed to warm each fea-
ture beneath the surface.
Dorcas stood before him trembling
and irresolute. ct is so hard-loving
my brother as I do-to sit in judgment
on him or to discuss him, even with
you. You love Enoch, or rather-you
did once?" she asked quickly.
Merry nodded.
Since things went wrong between
YOU" Dorcas hesitated for a moment,
since that time he has changed; you
cannot realize how he has changed.
Still, we were together and alone, and
l kept thinking that the old happy
days would come back"
She stopped short and Merry's
brows wrinkled into lines of perplex-
ity. What has happened? What can
l do to help your"
Yesterday" she began hurriedly,
when went home after the matinee,
Jason stood waiting In the vestibule
for me. He did not say a word, but
l knew that something had happened.
l pushed him aside and ran upstairs.
l could think of nothing but that
Enoch had been taken i'll. AS passed
the hall rack noticed the queer UNI
brella Miss Paget carries. 1t has a
tigers head for handle-you remem-
Der It? Even in my anxiety thought
how strange 1t should be there. When
l reached the library she sat beside
the fire. reading a magazine"
Where was Enoch?"
"In his little study, with the door
locked. He came out when she began
to talk to me-"
What did she want?"
ANDREW" the tears sprang to the
girls eyes, "that woman has come to
live in our home"
neutrality-suspicious." Mer-
rvs voice had an incredulous tone in
it. "Enoch has not-married Zilla
Paget?"
81 do not know. I cannot under
stand. I think that Enoch hates her."
"Then why is she there?"
81 do not know"
"He didn't explain?"
mo. He looked like a thunder
cloud. She talked. She said she had
come to live in our house. Her clothes
were unpacked She has taken the
spare room. Her things, a lorgnette.