The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-03-13

pouring white glamour in her window.
The night nurse, sitting upright by her
bed, was sleeping soundly. She had
won Morpheus because she was spurn,
ing him instead Of counting him.
Gloria determined to try the same
method herself.
Doctor Royce, who seemed to think
of everything, had, during her Illness
made her present Of pair OF
binoculars. She had been able to
While away many tedious hours with
them watching the traffic on the drive
and boats on the river.
Now she slipped into a negligee and
slippers quietly, not to disturb her
sleeping sentinel. She took up the
binoculars and moved to the window.
The moon cast such a glow on the
river that she drew in deep breatbs OF
delight. The columns Of the monu
ment stood in the foreground like
marble trees clustered about a little
temple.
Suddenly her attention was caught
by the curious behavior Of man who
seemed to be skulking about the monu.
@ment. He had his hat pulled down
and his overcoat collar pulled up and
she could not see his face. He was
apparently waiting for someone. She
saw him take from his pocket some
thing that looked to her like re
volver. Gloria was greatly excited
Before she could decide what to &c
the skulker walked away. She saw
another man come around the column
and crouch down for moment.
She put up the glasses to see more
clearly. The figure moved forward be-
meath street lamp and Gloria could
see distinctly wild and bearded face
A shudder went through her; uncon
sciously she drew her robe closer
about her.
Turning her glasses down the drive
she saw third man approaching. He
looked vaguely familiar. Coming clos
er, he stopped to light a cigar. It was
F,reneau!
She realized it with establishment.
She wondered If he had missed his
train. He saw that she looked out of
; her window. Before she could wave to
him figure sprang from the shadows
and leaped upon Freneau, long hands
, clutching his throat.
Gloria tried to cry out. She could
not make a sound. Subconsciously
her hands kept their grip on the binoc.
ulars and held them to her eyes that
she might see the whole of the tragic
spectacle.
The struggle that ensued seemed i'm
possibly unreal. Surely she was in
some hideous nightmare. But the fight
! went on. No policeman arrived to in
terfere Then suddenly it was over.
! She saw Freneau's limp body fall to
! the ground, saw his enemy raise his
hands toward the sky and then hurry
away.
! And still Gloria could not give vent
to her terror, she could only watch
helplessly. Now the first man she had
seen came back along the drive, saw
Freneau's body, kne1t down quickly,
and listened to his heart. Gloria was
sure that he would help her lover.
She continued to gaze, though her
strength was ebbing away.
Instead of rendering aid, the shad-
owy figure began to ransack Freneau'
pockets. He found the envelope of let
ters and put them in his own pocket.
Then, startled by the approach Of a
third man, he also vanished.
The third man came on openly.
Gloria felt sure that She would either
waken from her-n gltmare Or that aid
was at hand She used all her will to
control her reeling senses.
The newcomer did not even see Ere
ncau till he stumbled over the pros
trate form. He knalt down by it,
seemed to be aghast at. recognition.
Then he, too, began to search through
Creneau's pockets. Then Gloria
screamed. Shrek after shrek burst
through me silence Of the Stafford
home
(TC BE CONTINUED.)