The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-16
THE VOICE IN THE DARK
BY KIT DEALTRY.

and rushed into the room. By the piano two men were engag- ed in a desperate stru uggle-her son and Jap whom she had never seen before.
 She clutched at the bell and rang 1r furiously. As she did so she heard Desmond give a short cry, and the Jap fen, with a stif1ed curse, face downward. The woman took a rapid step to her son. He was KneeIlng. staring before him. His face was gray, like the face of the dead. l She grasped his arm- 'Desmond,'' she said hoarsely, | "can you see? | He shook his head slowly. sNo," he answered. ''I see nothing now-no othfng." 1 Her presence of mind returned to her. She took a Handkerchief from l her pocket and bandaged his eyes l feverishly, oblivious to everything but the danger to his sight.
 "Oh. my son. my son!" she said, | EtGod grant that no harm has been done to your poor eyesl" 1 He stumbled to his feet. A ques- tion came from him as he pointed | downward. | eIs he-dead % | Mrs. Sanderson threw a glance at l the Jap and shuddered. l "I don't know she said. "He isn't
 moving"
 "He tried to kill Nora.'' he said be- l tween hts teeth.
 s'"To kill Noran' echoed the woman | looking from the inaimate Jap to the figure that was stretched across the
 doorway.
 sYes. Where is she? Is she safe?" Mrs. Sanderson took his arm and
 felt him trembling. "I1l see to her, she answered. But you must sit down. You must
 think of yourself, Desm mond-of your
 self''
 "Nora-Nora, where are your" he | called out as he suffered himself to be led to the couch.
 Mrs. Sanderson threw another
 glance at the Jap, assured herself
 that he was still unconscious, then
 moved across to the girl and bent
 over her.
 Desmond's old nurse came running
 along toward her. She looked up. Send for the police,' she called to them. Get Independently! quick1y!'' The nurse turned and ran swiftly. T Mrs. Sanderson un1oosened Nora's
 dress, her thoughts working rapidly
 She remembered Nora's fear Of the
 Japanese servant, and knew now that the girl must have been in dairy fear of what had come to pass. Ii
 was the aftermath of Morals past and what had that past been? | She heard her son calling pit , eously.
 'tNora-Nora!' } ."Oh, God!' she thought as snt
 stroveto bring animation back to the
 unconscious girl, "how is all this go- ing to end? Why did I ever bring thi: girl into his hfe?" For in that hour she learned tha } Nora and her music had grown to be r her blind sons very world-Nora May
 the sea. 3 And who. and what was Nora Ma! Heller? t Would this night tell? Mrs. Senderson prayed that I 5 might.
 Nora opened her eyes. She was lying in her own bed. I'm 1 gas was burning low. Mrs. Sander ; | son was bending over her. g What has happened?" asked tn t girl faintly. Then. as memory slowl. e returned, a gleam of fear shot int n her eyes. Where is-thaI man :?
 she added. y "In the hands of the police" Mrs e | Sanderson replied. e "Gone?" $ "Yes. They have taken him away. d Nora gave a sigh of relief. e Thank Heaven!" she said.
 How are you feeling now?" ques it toned Mrs. Sanderson. o 'He nearly choked me-" she sai6 :, My son saved you,'' said the eide l. woman. "He has risked losing hi
 (sight forever by what he did tonight. IS Nora looked up at her dumbly. l. "One ray of 1ight-one ray of light y The words haunted her, lashed her. Is But I don't mean to reproach you 1T continued the mother, reading th
 look. 'I know you did not willingl = place him or yourself in such tel l. rible position. Well, this must be tn et end of it. I just hate to say it, bl 70 you cannot stay here any longer d "I know! I know!" came from tn Is girl in a sob.
 "As soon as you are well enougI a you must go.' or Let me go tonight-now!'' 7: Mrs. Sanderson shook her head. d Its too late,' she replied. Tt IF past twelve o'clock
 But in the morning we will arrans a something. Do not worry, Nora l. she added in a kinder voice. "Ye
 shall not go unprovided for. Yo le will find me still your friend in spi .r of aI.''
 Nora tried to speak, but failed. Sf
 was mute with misery ,n The events of the evening had tai
 en all the vitality out of her.
 In the early hours of the mornfr d. she arose, feeling weak and i'll, b
 determined to leave Staten House tn - day.
 She drew up her blind and lookt n- out on the snow-clad scene. m Suddenly a black object 1yil be against the snowy ground about hal +b way down the garden caught her ey lg. 4I,. IL intenlly' anu oecan tn sa,,a+L1ae ooJect was al mai
 struck her. She dressed quickly al
 ran downstairs ,as No one was about It was too ear
 for the domestics. Nora unlocked t