Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-02-24

detective of whom he had any knowl-
edge; be found himself surprised and
discountenanced by this!
Confusion no less intense informed
the girls expression; her eyes were
fixed to his with a look of blank In
Quiry; her face, whose ccloring had
won his admiration two hours since,
was now colorless; her lips were just
ajar; the fingers OF one hand touched
her cheek, indenting 1t.
The other hand caught up before
her the long skirts of pretty robe
de chambre, beneath whose edge was
visible hands breadth of simmer
ing white silk. with the toe of silken
mule to match the dressing gown
Thus she stood, poised for fight, at
tired only In negligee over what, one
couldn't help suspecting, was her
niEhtdress-her hair was down. she
was unquestionably all ready for her
bed
But Bourke's long and patient train
ing had been wasted IL this man
proved one to remain long at loss.
Rallying his wits quickly, he made a
brave show Of accepting this amazing
accident as a commonplace.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Bannon-"
he began with formal bow.
She interrupted with a gasp of won
dering recognition. ''Mr. Lanyard"
He inclined his head second time:
SORRY to disturb you"
But I don't understand"
Unfortunately" he proceeded
smoothly, Il forgot something when I
went out and had to come back for It !"
"But-but-"
"Yes?"
Suddenly her gaze for the first time
broke from his and swept the room
with a glance OF wild dismay.
This ROOM" she breathed-T don't
know tt"
1T Is mine"
Yours! But"
THAT is how I happened to--inter-
rupt you"
The girl shrank back a pace-two
pAces-uttering in low-toned mono
syllable of understanding, an obi"
abruptly gasped. simultaneously her
face and throat famed scarlet with the
color that flooded them.
Your room, Mr.. Lanyard"
Her tone was so convincing in its
meditation Of shame and horror that
his heart misgave him Not that alone,
but the girl was very good to look
upon.
I'm sure" he began soothingly, SIT
doesn't matter You mistook one door
for the"
But you don't understand" She
shuddered This dreadful habit! And
/ was hoping / had outgrown it! How
can explain?"
Believe me, Miss Bannon, you need
explain nothing"
"But / must. I wish to. couldn't
bear to have you think But surely
you can make allowances for sleep
wslkiag!"
To this appeal he could at first re-
turn nothing more intelligent than
dazed repetition of the term.
So that was how Why hadn't he
thought of 1t 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 inoffensive in
themselves, he had been guilty of con-
structive incivility.
In his turn Lanyard co1ored warmly.
II beg your pardon" he muttered.
The girl paid no 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 I was so frightened I
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 understand mel"
"But do, Miss Bannon-Quite."
Il am so ashamed"
please don't consider 1t that way"
"But now that you know-you don't
think"
MY dear Miss Bannon!"
"But 1t must be so hard to credit
Why, it's more than a year since 1t
last happened. OF course, as O child,
1t was almost habit; they had to
watch me all the time. Once But
that doesn't matter. l am 80 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"
Il am nobody, Miss Bannon. Be-
sides, sha'n't mention the matter to
a soul. And IL ever I am fortunate
enough to meet you again, shall have
forgotten 1t eompletely-believe me-"
There was convincing sincerity in
his tone. The girl looked down, as
though abashed.
you are very good" she muir
INJURED. moving toward the door.
II am very fortunate"
Her glance of surprise was question
enough.
ITO be able to treasure this much
OF your confidence" he responded with
q tentative smile.
She was near the door; he opened It
for her, but cautioned her with a