,_v- v“! But his conscience smote Inmtitude to his guardirm He could never clearly recall all his guardian had said to him during that prolix introductory talk about his own affairs. He knew it had contained hints about ï¬nancial losses. invest- ments that had not turned out as they should. depreciation in real 9:: :n- fail- ure of railroad stocks to pay :3 ‘ ‘s, with a lot more of dry hm : ..‘; which had nothing in the Wit ., id to do with Ollie. At that ‘ ' zizre there was no other subject : : the sun ‘that held any interest for . And so the a'wkwardrdinner had (11“.: ged its slow length from soup to coflee. and Ollie had not followed the men into the library. as Tom had fond- ly hoped she would. Olivia looked at him furtively once or twice during the rather constrained meal. She wished her father had not thought it necessary to warn her against Tom‘s “boyish foolishness.†It had made everything so difï¬cult. so awkward, and it was “spoiling the poor dear’s holiday.†But “papa had said" he would be seriously angered if she allowed Tom to pay her any sort of loverlike attentions. He wondered if she would pin a nap- kin about his neck and cut up his food for him. She was assuming such vast- ly superior airs he was prepared for anything. everything. He was ready to snarl at everybody. His lovely vision was fading behind a bank of dark. leaden clouds. “I admit his perfections," Tom had snapped with the rudeness of an un- traveled donkey. "I like him immensely,†Ollie had re- tox-ted. with arched eyebrows and frosty emphasis, which had made Tom rejoice in the summons to the dining room. He had followed his lofty young hostess in meek silence. Tom stared ht the may of Eurmw with hot cheeks. Reason convicted him of having acted very like a tool ï¬t that juncture. “Father or son ?†he asked bluntly. “Son. of course. f‘Ollie had answered sweetly. “He is only three years older than you. Tom, dear, but he is‘so pol- ished. so cultivated, so broad. entirely owing to travel. you see.†Instead she had wrinkled her pretty brows sagely and said: “Yes; papa and I talked all that over before you came home. Tom, dear. It is really the right thing for you to do. A man is so crude. so incomplete, yon know, until he has seen something or the world, until he has measured himself by oth- er standards. Now. there is Mr. West- over"- What a ï¬nished young lady the pret- ty little thing had blossomed into on the strength of a debut! He had tried to talk to her of the future, giving it a tinge of common interestâ€"hers, his. theirs. She had persisted in question- ing him, with a matronly air of supeâ€" rior age, about his studies and his wardrobe and his physical condition. He had alluded to his guardian’s wish that he should travel and intimated that half a dozen words from her ad- verse to the project would settle his mind permanently. No power on earth could make him put the sea between her and him if she would bid him stay. -â€"“until we reached Florence~Florâ€" ence, the home of classic art, the scene of immortal Savonarola’s unap- preciated efforts and martyrdom.†“Poor, dear Rufus!†his guardian (ironed. “He had the making of a ï¬ne artist in him. Doubtless that six weeks in Paris would have been most proï¬t- ably spent by us. From Paris we meant to go by easy stagesâ€~â€"here the paper cutter ambled erratically over the map, descriptive of the easy stages Tom’s ears reported his guardian’s words, and when Olivia did come his heart complained. He had gone for- ward eagerly to meet her, almost ar- dently. She must have read all his adoring thoughts in his burning eyes and flushing cheeks. His telltale cheeks had gone flaming hot at sight of her. She had smiled at him as indulgently as if he had been a young spaniel frisk- tm'r at her heels. and for the brief spacw or time lapsing between his coming and the summons to dinner she had patronized him so openly that she had successfully imposed upon him an un- comfortable sense of extreme juvenilo ity. He gnawed his budding mustache in impotent rage. "We planned to remain in Paris six weeks on our ï¬rst visit. conï¬ning our- selves principally to the art galleries and the places of historic interest. You see that was or would have been just after the days of the commune.†crisp. pretty house gown. with shining eyvs and red ripe lips. it was impossi- ble to ac-cep: that ï¬ction of a headache. “.\‘(5W, When your dear father and I projected this identical tour our inten- tion was to go directly to Parisâ€-â€"the paper cutter halted directly over the black spot standing for that fascinat- ing metropolisâ€"“and from thereâ€â€" With rebellion in his heart Tom was summing up his grievances. Olivia hill] not emerged promptly on his ar- rival. Her long delay had the effect or making him feel crudely premature and not eagerly welcome. All the Sparkle had been blown off the day by her tarryiug. Her father excused her on the score of a headache. superin- ducml by loss of rest. When she did appear. however. cool and fresh in her anon in rm] 9:- stocks to [)3 y < re of dry bu» hing in the \\'i:. llie. At that )ther subject a ny interest for . cience smote n;_:; his guardian. w l mu- She was his idol. his all. What a 'g. clever little witch she was. too. older ..1: than her years by reason of her lifeâ€" †1012;: companionship with him! How we :uiroitly she had managed to let Tom the Broxton see that there must not be any 10w passage-s between them! And such with :1 slight him he had given her! No; ,1, had €01: years yet he wanted no" Involu- :u into on i had tried :iving it a Mr. Matthews got up from the table and walked out of the room by her . ‘ side. Tom retained his seat and a hers. P‘Sâ€" I sulky silence. All of a sudden the question- map of Europe developed an immense r °f “pf“ fascination for him. He glued his ’ 334.131“ gaze to it to the exclusion of all the condition : world besides. He could hear his [an 3 Vi 3" ‘ guardian outside discussing the horse intimated with Westover. 11 her ad ‘ “You say it is a new horse, West- settle his over, one you know nothing about?" ~ on narf‘h ‘-â€"â€" â€" “i can’t say that he does. In fact, I think I may say positively that he does not. But be careful, my darling. West- over, don’t let her be reckless. She loses her head when she mounts a horse. I think there must have been a jockey among her ancestors.†After watching the start the lawyer turned slowly back toward the house with his head bent and his hands fold- ed behind his back. He was in no par- ticular hurry to get back to the library. in spite of all that had been said. a lin- gering sense of uneasiness beset him. He was always uneasy when Olivia was out of his sight. > 7â€" “"“DV‘ ous?†Ollie cried, laughing triumphant- ly' as she ran lightly forward to mount the horse block. The three walked down the steps toâ€"‘ gether, Westover cutting at the shrub- bery with his whip, Ollie holding her pretty head well up under the little gayly plumed riding hat, Mr. Mat- thews with his bare head gleaming white and venerable in the bright sun- shine. Tom took it all in gloomily withâ€" out'once losing his interest in the map of Europe. There was certainly noth- ing about the new horse’s appearance to inspire apprehension. He stood with his head hung dejectedly, as if he knew and resented the fact of having been recently and somewhat unfavorably, criticised. ‘ “Now, papa, does he look dangeroi “Oh, yes. to be sure! A sheep is ï¬ery by comparison, ’pon honor. sir. My sister Jeanne is a notorious cow- ard. You don’t think I would let Miss Matthews run any risk?†This with an' ardent look at Olivia. "She is: quite right.†said Ollie, with din-mum. "He cannot.†Then she tip- ;wd to kiss her father. “Now, don’t go and spoil my lovely ride, papa. by conjuring up all sorts of ~imaginary dangers. You know I can manage a horse, it there Is any one thing on earth I can manage, and Mr. Westover says he is perfectly gentle." ion or his gait. She says a man can’t judge or what is pleasant riding for a woman.†“She is: l;!: ite night.†said Ollie, with d†ix. ,u. â€He oannnt †Than aha u- “Nothing but what his previous own- er tells me. He vouches for the beast’s goodness of CapOSiflOD. William, there, has tried him with a riding skirt, and I have been riding him for a week. Oh. I guess he‘s grade and all that! But Jeanne wanted Miss Matthews’ opin- chin in a p3 etty dark green habit on another leading a third on which was a lady' s sidesaddle. Westox er alone dismounted and strode briskly up the walk. Five minutes later Ollie sailed into the room buttoned to the chin in a pretty dark green habit. She held out one small gauntleted hand to Tom. “I'm so sorry. Tom, dear, that papa appointed today for you to spend with us. He didn’t know then that Jeanne Westover had asked me to try a riding horse for her. She is awfully afraid of horses. but said it I liked this one she would keep it. Her broth- er, says it is a darling.†Ollicï¬gilpd into the room buttoned to the Three horses had stopped in from of the gate. Clarence Westover was on one, and the Westover coachman was Mr. Matthews rubbed his chin re- flectively. with eyes on the map. In the pause that followed Tom’s ques- tion a great Clatter of hoofs ï¬lled the air. Tom sat facing the yard gate. His elbows shook. and he sat up very stiffly in his chair. Spent‘ weeks mapping out a pleasant foreign trip fonhim. and so he closed his heart and opened his mouth with a valiant shownf interest. “And so from Berlin. you think. I had best go on to Vienna, sir?†Wanted no lovers _ --_ vvâ€"uucuuu UCL- By the time he reached the outer gate to his own parklike lnclosure Olivia stood absolved in his loyal heart. She was altogether levely and trustworthy. He, Tom Broxton, was an ill mannered cub. not worthy to button her pretty boots. Sun never shone upon sweeter maiden. It was meet and proper he should go through some sort of probationary, toll to ren- He would spend this his last evening in the old Hall writing a long letter to Ollie. He composed it as he rode slowly through the weedy bridle paths on the outskirts of his own lands switching at the tail intrusive heads of sumac and sassafras bushes that { brushed against his stirrups. He would tell Ollie how impossible it was for him to go so far away as Europe without letting her know of his love and asking her to wait awhile until he should come back less crude and in- complete. better proportioned for hav- ing measured himself by other stand- ‘ ards. What a churl he had been for ‘ getting so vexed with her that morn- ing! Everything she said showed her interest in him. and if she did prick him with her little patronizing airs it was the result of her being the sole companion of the man who had to look after him and his interests and who doubtless had often consulted her. He swung rapidly through the door and up the stairway. Tom could never attain to a fully de- veloped case of the sulks. He rode forward Whistling softly. He had all the quiet roadside to himself. How silly he had been to flare up In that style at sight of Clarence West- over! It had all been so simple when explained. He hoped the dear little thing was having a real jolly ride. He pronounced himself a sulky dolt. In- herently sunny natured and generous, And so he rode along under the sweet smelling locusts on the shady roadside revising his beautiful vision. but never once doubting the ï¬nal outcome. Not for a moment did he relinquish that cherished purpose. on his foreign tour straight from col- lege. He would measure himself by broader standards before he should see her again. He must be without flaw in her eyes when he should ï¬nally ask her to be his wife.†Yes. he would go Back to 'collece ear- ly in the morning. He would not even wait to see Ollie again. He would start in spite of him, had obtruded itself once or twice during the day. As Tom rode away from the cottage, sme and disappointed about Olivia and smarting with a sense of defeat. it oc- curred to him that he was rather glad he had made that little speech to his guardian It was like cxozcising for- ever anv feeling of distrust that might have been aroused by that crazy non- sense of “Mother†Spillman’s which, The lawyer’s square set jaws quiv- ered for a moment, but he wrung Tom’s hand cordially. “Thank you. mylboy, thank you. A guardian’s posi- tion is not an enviable one at best. You have made mine much easier by your kind words.†“I am sorry, sir, but I ; back to college very soon in ,‘v -_.,- “Yes. I presume so. But, Thomas, my dear boy, this is a very abrupt termination to our talk. I have much to say yet about your own affairs. There are many points we have not touched upon.†He was very pale, and his lips were set ï¬rmly at the corners. Yes. the day had been an utter failure. and he want- ed to get back to Broxton before Ollie and Clarence Westover got back from their ride. He knew now why Ollie had no welcome to bestow on him. “I suppose I Will ï¬nd my horse in the back lot,†he ended abruptly. “I have been studying the map. sir. since you have been out of the room. and I am quite satisï¬ed with the route as you have marked it out. And. Mr. Matthewsâ€~â€"he rose from the table. pushing the map away with an irri- tated motionâ€"“we need not discuss the matter any further. I am ready to start as soon as commencement is over, the sooner the better.†portunity. Under some circumstances Clarence Westover would be as accept- able as another. The Westovers held a ï¬ne position in the world and had the For her sake he would- He started and lifted his head. He was back in the library. Tom Broxton was looking at: him with such keen di- rectness that his own eyes fell before the boy’s. THE WATCHMAN-WAHDER: LI‘JDSAY, 0N1 but I shall start 8h cision. “She m authority. “It is very good of you to make such large promises, Thomas, I’m sure, but I don’t Want to anv nn Ont? fan-“I'- †â€and. the matter having taken that 31:53:, Tom had tom den to the care “I wish you would not worry so to get away from here. Ollie. It is not as if I did not have plenty of room. you know, Your anxiety to get away is rather rough on me. It you are angry because I told Westover he did not have any brains to blow out. I'll ride over there and apologize to him toâ€" night. I’ll do anything you want done. Ollie. I’ll even go down to Simon's house to sleep and etface myself." This bumble apology was received loftily. So while the sun was still staining the western sky a vivid red. picked out with glorious purples and golds. ’ Simon’s wife had spread the great four poster in Miss Lucetta’s room with sweet smelling sheets of ï¬ne cid linen and thrown wide the shutters so that Olivia, lying under the blue brocatelle canopy, might gaze out at the sunset glories of the dying day.- She had pro- tested violently. “There is nothing the matter at all with me. papa. I can perfectly well go home. I would rather after what I have said to Tom. for I can‘t possibly stay." Tom, who found it impossible to I keep very far away from the library door. heard her and here put in a rue- tul face to say kindly: “She shall,†said her father with de- Then Dr. Govan came and searched :liligcntly for broken bones without ï¬nding any, but he pronounced her distinctly feverish and badly shaken up. “She had best stay where she is for the night. Put her to bed at once and keep her there until I can see her again in the morning,†was his deci- swn. “I do. too." said Tom. turning angri- ly on his heel and leaving the room. ple.†ed after Dr. Govan. The two men had reached Broxton within a few moments of each other. They found Ollie seated on the sofa in the library soundly berating Tom for having “rais- ed such a to do about nothing" and in- cidentally for having abused Clarence Westover. “I am not hurt at all. papa. It is too bad to give you such a scare. I was just a little stunned by the tall. but I never was unconscious. I heard, but could not talk. Tom was really quite rude to poor Mr. Westover when he was not at all to blame for my riding the horse nor for that stupid man’s shooting on the other side of the hedge. He even told him he had no brains. I wish people would some- times try to be more just to other peo- Presently matters cleared themselves ln his fully aroused brain. He had been sent for by Tom in wild haste. Clarence Westover himself had gallop- the corner of an old fashioned armor and recoiled against an unfamiliar ta- ble. Finally he stood stock still where he was, dreading other collisions. Where was Olivia. and who had screamed? a thing existed in his old-friend’s chamber, was an unsolvable mystery. He struck his head violently against He had forgotten in the ï¬rst fright- ened moment that he was sleeping in a strange bedroom. His surrounding: baffled him. He could not ï¬nd a door. The location of the matchbox, if such Mr. Matthews, starting from a trou- bled sleep, sprang hastily out of bed and immediately lost his bearings. CHAPTER IX. A snmm: AT MIDNIGHT. Clear, piercing, startling, a woman’s voice rang out upon the solemn still- ness of the Broxton house at midnight. “You have none to blow out," said Tom, with brutal candor. Then, stoop- ing and lifting the unconscious girl in his arms, he swung rapidly through the door and up the stairway, followed by a. wailing and useless group. “You have killed her. How dared you mount her on an untried horse?†Westover was too utterly miserable to resent this masterful arraignment. “An idoit ï¬red a gun behind the hedge. Both horses bolted. Broxton, if she dies I’ll blow my brains out." Tom’s tall form was soon added to it. He pushed \V‘estover away without apology. His grieved yoang face was terrible in its stern wrath. A strange group clustered about his front doorsteps sent him forward with a bound. Jessy was there leaning over something that lay prone on the veran- da floor. Martin, his own yard man. was flinging his legs over the horse Clarence Westover had ridden away from the Matthews gate an hour be- fore. Westover was walking up and down. with bared head and blanched cheeks, wringing his hands and giving wildly impossible orders to everybody at once. Still. white and motionless. Olivia, his Ollie. lay the central ï¬g- ure of this excited group. want to stay on any terms.†3 - must," said Dr. Govan with For your sake, my sweet, I am glad of all the wealth that is mine. glad of the store of gems hidden away some- where, all for you, Ollieâ€"all for you. my beloved! The breath of wild clematis ï¬lled his nostrils; birds piped musically in the larch branches over his head; splashes of sunshine flecked the brown earth of the narrow bridle path. He whistled aloud in the full- ness of his boyish content. At a rapid canter he swung into the open before the Hall door. der him less unworthy of her. He never could be quite worthy of herâ€"â€" oh, no, never! But she would be his after a little While, all his. His pulses bounded joyously. Life was assuming roster tints with the passing of each moment. It made him glad to think it would be in his power to gratify her every Wish, let her wish for never so costly or unattainable a thing. “I don’t want to scold you at all. my darling. I onlyâ€"l meanâ€-â€" His strong square jaws were twitching convul- sively. His nerves were rapidly get- ting the upper hand of him. He looked imploringly at Tom. .Tom took up the task of nnmï¬nnina “Are you going to scold me. father. after all I have gone through? I nev- er saw you look so cross before." ‘1’ - There was an unfamiliar sternness in her father’s voice and manner which made her stare at him in surprise. she had no means of knowing that he was hiding his own fears behind that stem mask. “Get over what. Olivia? I Insist up- on your calming yourself sutflclently to give me a lucid account of what has happened.†-x-uvvu- L'UL I don't want to stay.†She shivered and clung closer to her father. “Ob. father. father, it was so frightful. so distinct! .I will never. never get over It"! it!†“As it I could be frightened by a mouse! You are very good, Tom, to a most troublesome guest. I am sorry I was so ugly to you this afternoon. But quivering lips. His face was scarcely less pale than hers. “Drink this water. Ollie. dear. and then tell us what has frightened you. See, I will light every gas Jet in the house so as to show you that you have been frightened by a nibbling mouse. and I will stay down stairs to keep the mice quiet all the rest of the night it only you won't say anything more about going home at midnight.†She drank the water eagerly. Then. i ï¬nding her courage come back with the companionship or the men and the illumination of the house. she said more steadily: Tom held a glass of water quivering Ups. His face was I less pale than hers. “Take me home, father; take a‘Way now, this very minute. 1 Ron know I did not want to stay. horrible, horrible!†,__-r â€"_~-v w an VluytJ' of course. The outdoor cisterns were his only hope. When he got back, Olivia bad regained consciousnen, but was sobbing and clinging to her fa~ ther’s neck with a frightened clutch. Her eyes were wide with terror. and short irrepressible shudders ran over her body visibly every few seconds. She was pleading excitedly with her father. Tom lighted a gas jet and rushed toward the dining room in search of water. Every receptacle was empty. There, in a heap on the floor. her shining hair falling in a thick mass over her pallid face and closed eyes, lay Olivia. Her father gathered her to his heart with a frightened cry and laid her on a sofa. was in the room looking like a man who has received his deathblow. “Ollie, Olivia, what on earth are you doing down there? By Jove, she is in a dead taint! Mr. Matthews, here, quiC'!†Before he had time to place his candle on the table his guardian Presently a cry scarcely less star- tling than the one that had broken up his sound slumber ascended from the floor below. It was in Tom Broxton’s voice. ’ Thomas proceeded to descend the steps with his candle held high. Mat- thews promised to follow as soon as he could get into his dressing gown. The gown proved eluswe. and his progress was slow. He was strongly minded to tell his guardian of the unpleasant experience that had befallen him on the memora- ble watch night. His guardian had an equally strong impulse to give his ex- perience on the eve of Ollie s fete. Nothing came, however, of the fleeting inclination on either side. He had much to do to keep his teeth from chattering and displayed no con- spicuous ardor for the expedition. Tom advanced resolutely toward the stair- case. “I think I shall feel better satisï¬ed for looking the house over.†“Whyâ€"well, yes, of course. if you think it worth While. But I am quite sure it came from my daughter room. She is sleeping very quietly now, and I do not care to open her door because it creaks so internally.†‘Nothing at all until I investigate it. I am going down stairs. Will you come with me?†“A-h-er, what do you make of it. Tpomas ‘2†he asked nervously. A clammy sweat broke out on the ‘ lawyer’s forehead and bedewed the backs of his hands. “I hoard it too. I imagine Olivia has been having had dreams.†‘ “But it came from down stairs. My room is immediately over the library. you know.†The soft thud of slippered feet broke the deathlike stillness. Glancing nerv- ously over his shoulder, he saw Tom. fully dressed, advancing with a light- ed candle held high over his head. “Hello, Mr. Matthews!" “Well. Thomas?†“I thought I heard a noise, a scream.†“How many times?†“Only 0mm." Everything was quiet inside. He had a distinct recollection of how dis- mally that particular door creaked and groaned on its hinges. It would be scarcely worth while to arouse Ol- lie just to tell her that she had had a nightmare. Doubtless she had been dreaming of the runaway or perhaps of the many who had died in this gloomy old house. Personally he found it a most depressing spot. Horace Matthews’ .ï¬rst thought was for Olivia. Something had frightened her. Gad, would he never ï¬nd a door? He did ï¬nally and groped his way through It Into the large dark central hall. Absolute silenée enwrapped the house. He tiptoed across the hall to put an ear to the keyhole of Olivia’s door. taker’s cottage to impress his wife Jessy into service as lady’s maid. Be- tween them all Ollie was treated like a queen temporarily disqualiï¬ed from reigning. But to come back to that scream. 01' Questioning :00. But shiver-ed to her Oh. When Tom stood over her. modeling the bromide all mixed ready for mk' mg. she looked up into his pale and worried face with one of her sweet?5t smiles. Suddenly she put out a hand and drew him down on the sofa by â€5 side. “Father, you are being absolutely un' just and cruelly unkind. You know 1 am not imaginative in that way Y0“ know I am not a coward. But we Win let It stop at that. I hear Tom coming back." “How cad I explain away the}? murky“ a frightened girl's imaglm' flan? I presume women always c011“ jure up something grotesque when they ï¬nd themselves awake at an 113' usual hour.†He knew that he W†maligning one of the bravest “If†souls in the world. but his necessity know no law. Her insistence irritated him. H9? wide questioning eyes would not loose their hold of his agitated face. He took refuge in roughness. “Who was iâ€"t. fathex-“B What was it? Why don’t you answer me 3†Herfather wrapped his arms about him 3 1111313? Whisper esmped from his lip!- “Wk- â€"-‘ 3A A ,. The lawyer’s tongue felt dry and hot as it clove to the mot of his mouth Clammy moisture stood in great head! on his for. ohud. He cleared his than! to “in command or his voice, but on)! on the ceiling of the studyvand some thing tall and white, as tall as old Colonel Broxton, leaning over his desk." “Then what did I see, rather, there. rlxht through the open glass door! You know I am not tanciful. and! know what I lawâ€"o. taint light shinin: “And, having become sleepless in: strange bed, you grew fanciful. Res assured, my love, you did not see: ghost.†“No one ever has seen one. Olivia You were unstrung by your accident and prowling about at midnight in this gloomy old house did the resc.†“I was not at all unstrung, father. I slept like a baby until I had all Ill sleep I needed." “Not even after people have seen one. papa, with their own eyes?†“Papa, I would rather not have to! that story In poor Tom’s presence. but you made me.†Her teeth were ch11- toting. and she clung to him conni- slvely. “Father, do you believe the: are such things as ghosts?†“Of course I do not. No sensible per son does,†her father answered, with explosive violence. Olivia raised herihead and 115mm! until his footsteps could no longer be heard. Then she said: “No wine, thank you. Thomas: a m. tle bromide now. if you could ï¬nd sud a thing about the house.†“There is a medicine cabinet in t} thet’s room. I'll explore it.†“Wouldn’t a glass of wine be 1; for her, Mr. Matthews?" - M “Then she had seen it. too." want. unspoken thought of both men. '11:. sound of Olivia’s sobs nearly bmh Tom’s heart. His voice shook a link as he asked briskly: ~_.. Her §tory told, she began to weep. hystencally that further question; would have been cruelty. Her tam: wrapped his arms about her and pom. ed soothing endearments into her em “mknn “In“ 1“) __A_, p ‘ ""4 “I I see both of you now, a mu {igupeh white standing by Colom-l Bronon'. desk! Whoever it was stood wim hi head bent low over the desk. :1 1111:: light that seemed to come fmm m, bosom ofâ€"ofâ€"the thing shone on a. desk. I screamed and dropped my cand}e and didn’t know anything mm; until I heard Tom’s voice. papa, m felt your arms about me. The: is ill“ I was afraid of the steps G‘s-3 waking you up. And then. 01 oh, Tom, just as I stepped 0v brary doorsill I saw, just as r “Why, you made me go to be such a ridiculous hour of the day' by midnight I was wide awake, ‘ no more sleep left in my eyeg T1- I might, I just got wider awake‘ ery moment. So I thought, let slip down stairs without an“ knowing it and get a book out of library. I stole down just as softl‘ one of those mice Tom talks shnm' “Olivia, I insist upon x more rationally. What b down stairs at such an )3 night ?†Her father had himself well in ham; now. Then she had seen it too: 8.4 neither she nor Thomas must 8 ‘ that her experience was a repetition it} his own. He maintained his stem “1 titude even to the point of disen 1 her clinging arms from about his new and holding her hands in a ï¬rm at“ I 1 7-.., will] “We are asking you to tell ug"; frightened you so badly, Ollie, 693: as to punish him or them or it Y see. we want to be doing 50mm“! about it, but we are all in the dark": tar.†. u She shook her head mournf 1 “Oh. there is nothing to be d Tom; nothing you can do, not 3 nothing anybody can do, Sen “I place, Tom. and let strangers 117, h: it. You can never be happy here, OK; papa. papa!†i ully, WIID tenaer soomxng (To be continued.) MARCH IST er the l.‘ ulainly 3 ï¬gure x; honmw 1 00113 anSboa, otth',