The evening world., 1920-01-02

reassure her win ms steauy
clasp.
Il thought" she went on in the
serious, toneless voice he had first
heard during their first walk to "Her
WISH" that l was awake. was
lying in my own bed. IN my own room.
And something said, Comet Then
thought that a dark wind"-she
shuddered agatha cold, strong cur
rent OF air, like yes, IL was
like a resistless river lifted
me and bore me out, into the night
over the fields and woods
=. up TO that door
that terrible door ="
She was shaking so now that he put
his arm ABOUT her without more ado,
and held her against his side. She
pressed close to II as IL only for
warmth, for human warmth in her
cold ague of fear caused by the SUI
pernatural: there was no sc nse OF his
being her lover in that Btraining of
her shuddoring body against him.
Now she tripped and stumbled over
ner thrOnglng words:
s Il thought the dreadful air. river
pressed me against that door and II
opened ~, 4 was sucked In
=. into the DARKNESS :.
me- .NhN NahFNAAANae NHA
that corridor -. through that
other door : into that room
= 4. Up TO her portrait II was
aiight. glowing 1t was look
ing at me The Lips parted
frantic horror she repeated twice: 1T
spoke to me! II spoke TO met
my darling" said Radford. his
cheek to hers, my darling, II was
only dTeam-a hideous, beastly
dream"
1T was more. e. Oh! 1t was
more" she walled. and her soft cheek
felt cold to his as death. 1T was a
warning .. command. DO not
dare to love him. . II said. DO not
dare to love him . Oh! the black
malice of those eyes-those awful,
painted, living eyes!"
She shook and shook with the mem
DRY of that grisly visitation.
Alarm began to mIngle with the
ardor of his love. Could II be, AZ he
had first feared. that her insistent
dwelling on these dark things. had
slightly destroyed the balance Of her
mind? Well, II II were so-and he
had a rush OF thankfulness that his
love was real enough to meet even
this test-the sooner he could per-
:, kpAdN Aers to smaETy HIM, the better
(ifhkkl bhuld be, no bdtter proof than
the passionate COInplbllOu Oh buCu n
love as theirs, that her terrors had
no foundation in reality.
Nov that you've told me that. tell
esallo -ORe- Other thing he said, holding
Z, her 50 close that she felt his violent
~ Young heart against her side. Tell
!. me whether you love me?"
But she only kept gasping: lam
afraid =. am afraid e. for you
-. for you e"
For me?" lie caught at 1t joyously.
For me?" he repeated. Why, you
y dearest thing, haven't told you over
and over, that I've no fear Of herr"
y. "Yes, but through me- She
might hurt you through me-"
!, At this he fairly laughed, a laugh
> LET her try to touch you'll" he cried.
"Just let her try TO harm hair OF
your darling head!"
Though how he would have pun
: ished the presuminR ghost, even low
ers might fail TO imagine.
'Why as to that" he rushed on,
how could she hurt me more than
by frightening you into not being
Z wiling 10 marry me? There would
be a deviIish cunning IL you like
though / don't admit for a moment
any reality in your abominable dream
why. my dearest, dearest girl, fancy
allowing not even "a ghost but q
= dream about a ghost, to come between
? us!"
e ''You forget" she said, resumint
=, her FIRST sad. colorless tone, "tha
= things I've felt -. this wa!
- have come true"
y He had a quick answer Cor this.
~ 81 spoke of you allowing her l.
sr come between us-but haven't W
= agreed that I've already come betweel
YOU and herT'
- "oh. did think you had!" was he
y piteous response.
'You don't think so any lonRer7"
NJ tsHoW can latter what I've toll
= you?" She had drawn herself ava
npom him. but he still kept firm hol
4 Of her hand.
~ dearest" he SAID after a sligf
- pause, with tender modulating {
~ his. vibrant young voice TO her dc
- iected mood, you've told me moi
~ than perhaps you meant to. You'N
- told me, in spite Of words, Mat 20
81 love me"
- Her hand quvered in his, trying
- release itself. and she stammered
= great distress:
~ 'No No -. said
aAS a. Su Int that's just III" he subdu,
himself again. Isn't Il precise
your love for me that makes yC
- afraidT'
~. at can't BE- 1t mustn't be
she cried, half rising, and he heal
~ the tears that he wouldn't look at
her voice.
He drew her down beside him, ar
gently memorable, again folded
arms about her.
"Listen, dearest,p he said in a gra'
voice quite new TO her. You sa
something to me once that / mi
seem cruel 10 remind you OF, but Z
both our sakes, ! must do II. Y,
spoke that first day. OF beinA afra
OF something much more terrible thj
she Is ." He pressed her
jealousy 70 him now that II was ha
for her 10 breathe. "Of being afra
OF madness. My own
face was bent 20 hers, and In I
gathering dusk she could see I
bright anxiety OF his eyes-'that
still what you must be most afri
o.. That you must fight agar
with all the terror OF your 30
-. And with all your love for n
and mine for YOU"
She lay quite still on his brea