The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-05-27


you not coming, too?"
He had stopped. Not just now,
Lyddy. | think III run up to Toms
fat and smoke pipe with him.
Thanks. old girl, for the happy day
we've had. You don't mind II leave
you here?"
Her heart gave a great throb Of
relief 1t was best 10 have him out Of
the way for the time being.
"Well-so long" he said. difiidently.
$50 long. Lyddy."
so long" she repeated, dropping
into his manner Of speech without
thinking. There was a smothering
sensation in his breast
He looked back as he strobe off in
the direction from which they had
come. She was at the top OF the steps,
her fingers on the electric button. He
wondered why her face was so white.
He had always thought of II as being
full OF color, rich, soft and warm.
Inside the door, Lydia experienced
a strange sinking Of the heart. "ls
Mr. Brood at" she began, neryously.
A voice at the top of the stairway in
terrupted the question she was putting
to the footman.
"Is It you, Lydia? Come up to my
room"
The girl looked up and saw Mrs.
Brood leaning over the banister rail.
She was holding her pink dressing
gown closely about her throat, as If
ii had been hastily thrown about her
shoulders. One bare arm was visible
completely so.
81 came to see Mr.. Brood. Is he"
"He is busy. Come up to my room" "
repeated Yvonne, somewhat imperi-
ously
As Lydia mounted the stairs she
had a fair glimpse of the others face.
Always pallid-but Of healthy pal
lor-it was now almost CHASTITY. Per
haps is was the light from the window
that caused II, Lydia was not sure.
but a queer, greenish hue oyerspread
the lovely, smiling face. The lips were
red. very red-redder than she had
ever seen them. The girl suddenly re-
called the face she had once seen OF
woman who was addicted to the
drug habit.
Mrs. Brood met her at the top Of
the stairs. She was but half-dressed.
Her lovely neck and shoulders were
now almost bare. Her hands were
extended toward the visitor; the
fllmy lace gown hung loose and disre-
garded about her slim figure.
Come in, dear. Shall we have tea ?
1 have been so lonely. One cannot
read the books they print nowadays.
Such stupid things, ai-e?"
She threw an arm about the tall
girl and Lydia was surprised to find
that it was warm and full of gentle
strength. She felt her flesh tingle
with the thrill of contact. Yes, il
must have been the light from the
window, for Yvonne's face was now
aglow with the iridescence that was
so peculiarly her own.
A door closed softly on the floor
above them. Mrs. Brood glanced over
her shoulder and upward. Her arm
frightened perceptibly about Lydia's
waist.
1T was Ranjab." said the girl. and
instantly was filled with amazement.
She had not seen the Hindu, had not
even been thinking of him, and yet
she was impelled by some mysterious
intelligence to give utterance to a
statement in which there was convic-
tion, not conjecture.
Did you see him." asked the other,
looking at her sharply.
NO." admitted Lydia, still amazed.
Il don't know why | said that"
Mrs. Brood closed her boudoir door
behind them. For an instant she stood
staring at the knob as II expecting to
see 1t turn
81 know" she said, 81 know why
you said it. Because 1t was Ranjab.
She shivered slightly. 81 am afraid
OF that man, Lydia. He seems to be
watching me all of the time. Day and
night his eyes seem to be upon me, "
why should he be watching youT
asked Lydia, bluntly.
Yvonne did not notice the question
Even when | am asleep in my bed
in the dead hour of night, he is look
ing at me. can feel it, though asleep
Oh, il Is not dream, for my dreams
are of something or someone else
never of him. And yet he is there
looking at me. lit is uncanny."
AN obsession," remarked Lydia
quietly. "He never struck me as es
pecially omnipresent."
Didn't you feel him moment
ago?" demanded Yvonne, irritably
The other hesitated, rejecting :"
suppose 1t must have been something
like that" They were still facing the
door, standing close together. why
do you feel that he is watching your
Il don't know. just feel it, that:
all Day and night. He can read my
thoughts, Lydia, as he would read {
book. Isn't-isn't 1t disgusting?" Hei
laugh was spiritless, obviously arti
fetal.
81 shouldn't object to his reading
my thoughts" said Lydia.
"Ah. but you are Lydia. It's differ
ent. have thoughts sometimes, m!
dear, that would not-but there! lie
us speak of more agreeable things
Sit down here beside me. No tea
A cigarette, then. No? Do you for