Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-08


ever. Bat whence came ~ could
not say-alI at once kind of subcoa-
Sctous and instructive, perception
came upon me that some alteration
had taken place. even in the short
Time She had been left alone.
felt that all was not we'll with her.
| seemed Ia know hat some subtle al.
most definable yet very real and ON.
nous degeneration had come 10 pass
in her
For . long minute stood mere eaz-
Ing down upon her. under that light
which, s9ftcned though il was. could
not wholly conceal the alarming
change. Then, a poignant fear grip
ping al my heart, | bcnl and peered
risht into her face with savage eager
ness
Just at that moment Alexandra
opened her eyes and looked up al me
her eyes. paler now, and seeming 10
lack those lovely golden situations
mat had rendered them more the eyes
Of goddess than Of human crra.
lurc.
Her eyes were lovely still, YET less
so Than they had been. She smiled at
NE with lips now paler than before.
The smile was SURPRISINGLY sweet: but
| knew on the instant that il lacked
some subtle quality which only little
time before had rendered it divine.
What is it, doctor" she asked me
in rather 1t weaker voice than before.
Andre is here at last? And he's well?
Quite weIl?'
Quite we'll | answered. But
you?"
~ Oh, about the same. Only a
little tired. Not quite so strong as |
thought ! WAS at first. II must have
been the surprise and stimulus OF the
first excitement, the first great reali-
zelton. that sustained me and gave me
seeming strength | did not really
have. Now--yes, doctor, am terribly
tired; more tired, think, than have
ever been in my whole life"
"Of course; OF course" quickly as
sented. trying 10 soothe and reassure
her IT'S quite natural that You
should be. Nothing in that to wonder
about. after what you've been
through In little while--s day or
two your real strength will reasserl
itself.
Now, Alexandra, 90 to sleep again.
Rest is what you need and mus, have.
Don't think OF anything. Don't WORRY
about anything. Just 90 TO sleep. and
when you awaken you'll be strongef
again.
She smiled inscrutably, and very
slightly shook her head in negation
Then she closed her eyes again and
lay quite still.
A terrible and Wconquerable fear
pierced my heart With burning eager
ness TO know the truth, | ben, still
closer over her and kecnly peereG into
her face.
Only too true Impossible now to
deny the fact change, slight yet
very real--an appalling change - had
swept like blight over that won.
drous perfection. AS breeze. presag
Ing tempest, troubles the mirrored
surface Of a lake and destroys the re.
Election OF natures beauty on its calm
bosom, so this fatal alteration had
troubled The absolute and perfect
beauty of the woman, Alexandra.
AghasI feeling. my heart 90 sick
within ne and my soul shrink from
this terrible phenomenon, | drew
back, trembling. Pale and with wide
eyes / stared a, Alexandra Alexan-
d9a. beautiful still, vet seemingly Wis
ihy 20 fade and wither before my
sight,
Their as | stood there dumb and
hon or.smirten, Steadying myself with
N, right hand against the table at my
side, ali at once | heard sounds OF
speech in the upper hallway surely
an alteration of some sort
Low at first and mere humble OF
confused sounds, She voices presently
rose 10 . louder pitch ard tool, an
angrier tone.
Came then cry--and after that a
sound rs Of a heavy body falling with
jar that shook the house