Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-02-02
face and throat famed scarlet with the
color that flooded them.

his heart misgave him. Not that alone
but the girl was very good to lool
upon.
I'm sure" he began soothing!y, 81
doesn't matter. You mistook one dool
for the"
"But you don't understand" She
shuddered This dreadful habit! And
I was hoping 1 had outgrown it! How
can I explain?"
believe me, Miss Bannon, you need
explain nothing"
but I must. I wish to. l couldn't
! bear to have you think But surely
you can make allowances for sleep
walking!"
To this appeal he could at first re,
turn nothing more intelligent than a
dazed repetition of the term.
So that was how Why hadn't he
thought Of it before? Ever since he
had turned on the lights he had been
subjectively busy trying to invest her
presence there with some plausible
excuse. But somnambulism had never
once entered his mind. And in his
stupidity, at pains though he had been
to render his words inoffensiye in
themselves, he had been guilty of con-
structive incivility.
In his turn Lanyard colored warmly.
Il beg your pardon" he muttered
The girl paid nc attention.; she was
thinking only of herself and the
anomalous position into which her in
trinity had tricked her. When she
did speak her words ran swiftly:
You see. was so frightened! l
found myself suddenly standing up in
darkness, just as if had jumped out
of bed in my sleep at some alarm;
and then l heard somebody enter the
room and shut the door stealthily Oh,
please UNDERSTANDINGS!
But do, Miss Bannon-quite."
II am so ashamed"
please don't consider it that way"
But now that you know-you don't
think"
my dear Miss Bannon!"
But it must be so hard to credit!
Why, it's more than a year since it
last happened. OF course, as a. child,
it was almost a habit; they had to
watch me all the time. Once But
that doesn't matter: am so sorry!"
"You really mustn't worry" Lam
yard insisted. Its all quite natural
such things do happen-are happen
ing all the time"
But don't want you-"
II am nobody, Miss Bannon. Be-
sides, 1 sha'n't mention the matter to
a soul. And if ever I am fortunate
enough to meet you again, shall have
forgotten it completely-believe me-"
There was convincing sincerity in
his tone. The girl looked down, as
though abasked.
you are very good" she muir
moving toward the door.
81 an very fortunate"
Her glance of surprise was question
enough.
ITO be able to treasure this much
Of your confidence" he responded with
a tentative SMILE
She was near the door; he opened it !,
for her, but cautioned her with. a
gesture and a whispered word: wait.
I'll make sure nobody's about"
He stepped noiselessly into the hall
and paused an instant, looking keenly
right and left, listening.
The girl advanced to the threshold
and there halted, hesitant, eying him
auXiously.
He nodded reinsurance: "AI right
clear!" /
But she delayed one moment more.
TITS you who are mistaken" she
flushing again beneath his
'egard, from which admiration could
lot be absent. 1T is I who am for
have met a-gentleman."
Her diffldent smile, together with
lin in such degree that for the mo-
cent he was unable to frame reply.
"Good night" she whispered-"and
hank you, thank you'll
Her room was at the far end of the
orridor. She gained it's threshold in
ne swift dash, noiseless save for the
ilken whisper of her garments,
urned, flashed him a final look that
eft him with the thought that novel
SITS did not always exaggerate, that ;
yes could shine like stars. {
Her door closed softly.
Lanyard shook his head. as if to dis
ipate a swarm CT Fostering thoughts,
nd Went back into his own 5edcham-
err.
He was quite content with the ex-
the girl had given, but as
he victim of a netEodical and peril
acious habit of mind, spent five busy
linutes examining his room and all q
sat it contained with a perseverance
lat would have done credit to $
And no shadow could have made
'ss noise than he. slipping cat-fcoted
cross the courtyard and up the stairs,
voiding with superdevelcped sensi-
veness every lift that might have
beneath his tread. In
ice he was again in a corridor lead
lg to his bedchamher.
It was quite as gloomy and empty q
) it had been five minutes ago, yet q
18th a difference. a something in it's Il
that made him nod briefly
confirm alton of that suspicion
hich had brought him back so q
ealthily.
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