The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1914-12-18
TheHOlOW
b ! Of Her Hand
George Barr Me- utCheon


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| tins-rooni VINO can put herself in
the place Of that dsspairins. hunted
creature who knew that blood was on
the hands with which she ats. and
whose eyes we're allied with visions Of
the deathchai1f
50 great vas her fatigue that loag
before che finished the meal her tired
lids began 70 drooD. her head 70 nod
In spasmoAic suryUaddrs 70 an over
powering desire foe deep. Suddenly
she dropped The FORK fsom her fingers
and sank hack n the comfortable
chair. her head resting against the
soft, upholstered hack. Her lids fell.
her hands dropped to the arms Of the
chair. A ins line appeared between
her dark MISUNDERSTANDING OF pain.
For many minutes Sara Wrandall
watched the hagsardness deepen In
the face Of the unconscious sleeper.
Then, even - she wondered ct the
act. she went over and took up one Of
the slim hands in her own. The hand
Of IN aristocrat! Il lay limp In hers,
and helpless. Long. taperins fingers
and delicatsly 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 1assd.
bewildered eyes.
you must 90 to bed" said Mrs.
Wrandall quietly. Don't be afraid.
No one will think Of coming here"
The girl rose. A. she stood before
her benefAetress. she heard her muir
muir - II from afar-ofl: "Just about
your siss and ngurs." and wondered
not . little.
You may sleep late. I have many
things TO % and you will not BE- dis
turbed. Come. take on your clothes
and get into my bed. Tomorrow Ne
will plan further"
But madam" cried the girl, Il
cannot take your bed. Where are you
to-"
IF feel ike lying down. shall
lie there beside you"
The girl stared. Lie beside met"
"Yes. Oh. am not afraid OF you.
child. You are not . monster. You
are Just poor. tired"
"Oh. please don't! Pleased" cried
the other. tears rushing to her eyes.
She raised Mrs. Wrandall's hand to
her lips and covered Il with kisses.
Long aftev she went to sleep, Sara
Wrandall stood beside the bed, look
ing down q ths pain-strickeu face.
and tried to solve the problem that
suddenly had become . part Of her
very existence.
1T d mot friendship" she argued.
6ercely. 1t II not charity, II IL 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 % she turned her attention
10 tho trunks. Her decision was made.
With ruthless hands she dragged gown
after gown from the innovations" and
cast them over chairs. on the noor.
across the foot Of tho 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 "tailorsuits" 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
nj 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 Silt.
tering. In another heap she laid the
somber things Of black; n meager as
sortment m compared TO the other.
Then she stood back and surveyed
tho two heaps with tired eyes. curl
GUS. almost scornful smile on her
lips. "There!" she said with Z niEh.
The black pile 10 mine. the gay pile
Is yours" she went on. turning toward
tho sleeping girl. "what q travesty!"
Then she gathered up the soiled gar
ments her charge had worn and cast
them Into tho bottom Of trunk. which
she locked. laying out carefully Sc
lected assortment Of her own garments
for the girls uss when she arose. Mrs.
Wrandail sat down beside the bed and
waited. knowing that sleep would not
como 70 her.
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