Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-02-12
CHAPTER vIi.-contlnued.
And YOU saw

And you saw
him. Yes. l saw him as plainly
as / did that night on the lawn when
ne fell from space, only now he was
a hundred times more hideous. And
ne was making mouths at me or try
ing to say something or-Oh. | don't
know what he meant. but anyway l
Jumped out OF bed and ran to fathers
room. He came back instantly with
the gun he has Just bought. but there
was nothing in sight then. Why is
lie haunting me? What can it be?
The first night on the lawn he seemed
Go single me out from everybody else.
and now again in the midst Of all
these horrible things he is doing he
comes TO my window at midnight l
am frightened. dreadfully frightened
and do not want to be alone a moment
I had TO call up some protector to be
with me this afternoon, so | rang you.
Can you imagine what the creature
means?" A cold, prickly chill had en-
veloped March. a nameless fear at the
thought OF the monsters apparently
eITiHk IdSClldllOu LII NuO onCcl
woman at his side, but while his voice
was more or less serious as he an
swered her he tried to present the
matter in as light a form as possible.
Il am inclined to think like this.
Il is probable that your trinket with
its peculiar likeness to a leaf with
which he was familiar in his own
world and which may have some SYM
bolic meaning among his people, first
attracted his attention and curiosity
to you. And so having noticed you"
March had to start his love making at
the first opportunity-"and your sweet
mess and prettiness-" She checked
him.
las II a monstrosity like him could
appreciate what we are pleased to call
prettiness among ourselves, even as
Stunning that any Of us possess 1t. Why,
we must look as ~grotesque TO him as
he does to US, with our wingless bod
Ges. earth-bound forms. clumsy looking
limbs. queer tapping garments and
snsil-like gait"
Very well. We will assume then
that you, personally, were a secondary
consideration and that he was merely
fascinated by the trinket. That should
relieve your mind. and nothing is sim
pier than to leave him the ornament
outside as a peace Offering. Also, you
must remember this house is the place
where he received his first introduc-
ton to human beings, and last night
in his prowlings he probably CHANGED
this way and stopped for a moment
merely out Of curiosity
But why come to my window"
Probably through coincidence pure
and simple. Perhaps he merely wished
10 g what was inside. He sees like
a bat in the dark, you know"
She removed her hands from her
face and once more sat composedly.
of course it may be that what you
have said is true. since all any Of US
can do is guess. However, | think
differently. ! think it was a desire
Tor revenge that brought him here, for
shat he is malevolent and r%evengeful
Shere can be no doubt. And it was
here, remember, that he was first at
lacked. attacked before he had offered
violence to US. You know Clay start
I'D II by shooting him, and Clay was
more for several days afterward while
be was getting well. 1t is possible
hat the creature knew that to be so,
does not know that Clay has left and
came here looking for him. And then
.sain perhaps he was after me once
more. Oh. l. don't know. but / am
terribly worried"
Doris" he cried almost nercely.
Fathers are all right enough as far
BIB they go, but what you need above
all other things ia m who can be at
your side in the darkness as well as
the light, someone who can guard you,
protect you and comfort you in times
of distress like this as no father can"
Which ] suppose means that l need
"A husband" she broke In quietly.
You have guessed ma~ryelously."
And therefore that the husband
SHOULD by rights be you"
"Unquestionably."
A faint smile rippled across her face.
Very well. sir. / will file this appll-
cation among the others, and a little
Eatar II ] ind ! have need OF such an