The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-18
DRACULA,
THE VAMPIRE
BY BRAN STOKER.

I/(Y DIDN'T Know that she was
here till she spoke: and she
didn't look the same.
don't care for the pale peo-
pie; like them with lots Of blood
| in them, and hers had all seemed TO
have run out, I didn't think OF 1t at
| the time, but when she went away ]
began to think, and It made me mad
to know that He had been taking the
/ life out Of her" ! could feel that
/ the rest quivered. a. I did; but we
remained otherwise stiIl. so when
He came tonight i was ready for
Him. / saw the mist stealing in, and
I grabbed Il tight. I had heard that
madmen have unnatural strength, ana
as knew I was q madman-at times
anyhow-I resolved TO use my power.
Ay, and He felt It. too, for He had to
come out cf>the mist to struggle with
me.
IT held tight. and I thought I was 10
ing to win, for I didn't mean him to
take any more of her life, till ] saw
his eyes. They burned Into me, and my
strength became like water. he slipped
through Il and when tried to cling to
him he raised me up and nung me down.
There was a red cloud before me and q
noise like thunder. and the mist seemed
T, to steal away under the door" His
voice was becoming fainter and his
breath more stertorous. Van Helsing
stood up instinctively.
I'VE know the worst now" he said
He Is here and we know his purpose II
may not be too late. Let Us be armed
the same as we were the other night.
but lose no time; there is not an instant
to spare"
THE MANIAC IS HELPLESS
IN HIS MASTERS GRIP.
There was no need to put our fear,
nay, conviction into words-we shared
them In common. We all hurried and
took from our rooms the same things
that we had when we entered the counts
house. The professor had his ready. and
as we met in the corridor he pointed to
them significantly and said:
They never leave me, and they shall
not tin this unhappy business Is over.
Be wise also. my friends. It Is no com
mon enemy that we deal with Alas
Alas that that dear Madam Nina should
sufrerT' He stopped; his voice was
breaking, and do not know II rage or
terror predominated in my own heart
Outside the Harker's door we paused
Art and Quincy held back. and the lat
ter said:
SHOULD we disturb herT"
I'VE must" said Van Helsing grimly.
IF the door be locked shall break 1t
in"
May it not brighten her terribly II
Is unusual to break into a lady's room!"
Van Helslng said solemnly.
You are always right but this Is life
and death. All chambers are alike to
the doctor; and even were they not they
are all one to me tonight Friend John.
When turn the handle. II the door does
not open, do you put your shoulder down
and shove. and you. too. my friends
Now"
He turned the handle as he spoke. but
the door did not yield We threw our
selves against It. With q crash 1t burst
open, and we almost fell headlong into
the room. The professor did actually
fall, and I saw across him as he gathered
himself up from hands and knees. What
1 saw appalled, me- / felt my hair rise
like bristles on the back Of my neck and
my heart seemed to stand still
The moonlight was so bright that
through the thick yellow blind the room
was light enough TO See On-the bed be-
side the window lay Jonathan Harker.
his face flushed and breathing heavily
as though IN q stupor.
THE COUNT SUCCEEDS N
MAKING NINA A VICTIM.
Kneeling on the near edge Of the bed.
facing outward, was the Whitehead ng-
ure Of his wife. By her side stood q tan.
thin man clad in black. His face was
turned from Us. but the instant We saw
we all recognized the count-in every
way, even to the scar on his forehead
with his left hand he held both MrA
Harker's hands. keeping them away
18th her arms at full tension; his right
nd gripped her by the back Of the
ok. forcing her face down on his
som. Her white nightdress was smear
with blood and a thin stream trickled
wn the mans bare breast. which was
own by his torn-open dress.
The attitude OF the two had q terri
resemblance to a child forcing q
tens nose into a saucer OF milk to
pmpel 1t to drink. As we burst into
room the count turned his face