The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-18

however confined to a radius of few feet by heavy lampehade. He glanced at the girl She had extinguished her candle, and her face remained obstinately in shadow.
 He sat down on one of the horsehair chairs; but his companion remained stand ing little distance away.
 They waited in silence thus for some minutes. Marsland tried to think of some thing to say, but there was a pensive aloof4 ness about the girls attitude which deterred him from attempting to open conversation with a conventional remark about the vio- fence of the storm. He listened for a knock at the front door which would tell him that her companion had returned, but to his surprise the minutes passed without any sign. He thought of asking her to sit down, but he reflected that such an invita- tion might savor of impertinence. He could dmly see the outline of her profile, and judged her to be young and pretty. Once he thought she glanced in his direction, but when he looked toward her she had her face still turned toward the door. Finally he made another effort to break down the bar Tier of silence between them.
 "I suppose must wait here until the storm has cleared away,' he began. "It is a coincidence that both of us should have sought shelter in this empty house in the storm-I assume the house is empty for the time being or we would have heard from the inmates. My name is Marsand. l have been staying at Staveley, and l lost my way when out riding this afternoon-the downs seem endless Perhaps you belong to the neighborhood and know them thoroughly"
 But instead of replying she made swift step toward the door.
 "Listenv' she cried. What was that?"
 He stood up also, and listened intently, but the only sounds that met his were the beating of the rain against the windows and the wind whistling mournfully round the old house.
 q hear nothing-' he commenced
 But she interrupted him imperativey
 "Hushv' she cried "Listenr' Her face still turned away from him, but she held out hand in his direction as though to enjoin silence.
 They stood in silence, both listening in tently. Somewhere a board creaked, and Marsapd could hear the wind blowing, but that was all
 q do not think it was anything" he said reassuringly. "These old houses have a way of creaking and groaning in gale. You have become nervous through sitting here by yourself
 Perhaps that is so,' she assented in frendier tone than she had hitherto used But thought-in fact, felt-that some body was moving about stealthily over head"
 Ut was the wind signing about the house," he said, sitting down again.
 As he spoke, there was loud crash in room above-a noise as though china and glass had been broken. Marsland sprang to his feet.
 There is somebody in the house." he exclaimed.
 "Who can it be-" she whispered.
 Probably someone who has more right here than we have" said Marsland sooth- ingly. He'll come downstairs and then we'll have to explain our presence here.
 "The man who lives here is away,'' she replied, in hushed tone of terror "He lives here alone. If there is anybody in the house, it is someone who has no right here."
 "If you are sure fo that" said Marsland slowly, "I will go and see what has hap pened in the room above. The wind may stay here until I reutrn?'
 "No, now she cried, "I am too frightened now. I will go with youv'
 He felt her hand on his sleeve as she spoke.