The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-28
AFRAID 2 Il: b < .&uc

In an instant, the world had gone completely still, and the only sound was the mad pumping of her own heart. But that was no sound, that was a feeling; and she wondered if she had lost her hear ing.
 Upon the streets, there was no steady hum of automobile motors, no brief note of a horn, no foot step of neighbor. It was as if a warning finger had quickly been raised, silencing all outdoors.
 From within the house, there came no comforting cough of an old man smoking his cigar, no re- laxing rustic of an evening news paper, no creaking of furniture as Q body adjusted itself. Within the house was only stiffness, the enveloping, overwhelming stiffness of the tomb.
 Only a second Joan stood there, yet it seemed a vague eternity, second suddenly suspended indefi- nitely with the infinite. She struggled to pull her senses together, to throw off this unrea- sonable, overwhelming dread. She forced her thoughts into common place channels, reminding herself of her mission, and the hope it ' held.
 But her thoughts would not be l adjusted. Terror held them in its unearthly grip, and all the hor- TOTS of darkness enfolded her.
 High above, the stars still gleam- ed in cloudless sky, but now their brilliance was harsh and glaring, and as she lifted her eyes, her im- agination painted weird picture.
 She saw an old woman, stupid and bedraggled, bending over four cards on table. And in her ears a harsh, cackling voice re- sounded: "A tall, dark man. And deathl"
 Then once more, the trembling seized her, and she knew that she was caught in a power stronger than life.
 How long she stood there, she did not know. Perhaps but sec ond, perhaps But of course it was no time at all. The clock in Steeple had not chimed the quarter hour; it was still but few moments after midnight.
 Gradually, as she thought of this, she composed her senses, and the terror subsided.
 If cha told I,arca1f Nothing but case of nerves. For so long had she trembled and quailed, that now this sudden hope had overcome her. It was as if her heart, frightened of it's load had sought to burst its bonds.
 She coughed lightly, taking new assurance from the simple sound. She squared her shoulders and walked across the porch, enjoying the noise her steps made. How foolish, to have felt so fearful!
 She pressed the bell quickly, and listened as it echoed and re- echoed through the silent house. There was no answering note.
 Perhaps MT. Hendry had dozed for the moment. Abraham, she re- called, went out on Thursday even- ings.
 She rang the bell again, longer this time. Still within the house silence reigned. She listened in- tently. Surely the sound must have awakened MT. Hendry; his hearing was exceptionally keen. i For the third time. she rang the bell, holding her finger on the button. Soon the sound would awaken the entire neighborhood, she thought. MT. Hendry must certainly have heard it, if he were inside.
 She started. Perhaps he was not home yet; perhaps he was still down at the Inn, slipping another brandy and soda in solitude! Why hadn't she thought to phone there first and learn if he had left?
 It was not too late, then. She might still catch him at the Inn. Or she could wait. She could sit right here on the doorstep and wait for him. She wasn't cold any longer.
 The light in the living room dis turbed her, however. If MT. Hen dry had not come home, why should it be lit?
 She walked over to the large window and tried to peer through the shade. It was unusual to see the shades drawn in MT. Hendry's house. One could always look into it, to see him sitting by the fire side. He liked the shade up, he said. So the light in the window could shine out. But perhaps to- night
 Joan caught her breath, remem- bering that tonight there was a reason for drawing the shades. To- night MT. Hendry carried $40,000 in his pocket!