The Angel of Terror

er that littered her table, rolled them i

with a smile her stout landlady who came in carrying a tray on which sto

eale?" asked the

girl with a nod, and stood

delicate spiritual face she owed to her Celtic ancestors, the grace of her movements, no

y," said Mrs. Morgan, wiping her h

She had completed her pencil sketch and Mrs. Morgan gasped appreciatively. It was a

said in awe. "I suppose thos

d as she put th

in the shape of lawyers' clerks with writs and summonses. It's a relief from those mad fashion plates I dr

ad sympathetically and L

en this afterno

replied the stout woman with a sigh. "I

irl g

e debts," she said in despair. "I've enough writ

r had seen her the day after the funeral and had made some uncouth reference to the convenience of a death which had automatically cancelled George Beale's obligations. It needed only that to spur the

r the burden which she was ill-equipped to carry

lising what had happened, did not b

ion, but she would have had to have been the recipient of a cabinet minister's emoluments to have

t to-night, miss?

self from her un

he dresses in Curfew's new play. I'

-way across the room

ur troubles, miss, you see if you don't! I'

n the edge of th

s I illustrate. If I marry it will probably be a very poor young gentleman who will become an incurable invalid and want

sniffed her

ngs that happe

know that I want to get married. I've got to pay all these bills first, an

cantily attired in the middle of her bedroom, preparin

," she said, "there was a g

and a lady? W

the time, and the girl answered the door. I g

y leave

d if Miss Beale lived her

th a frown. "I wonde

of it until she stopped on her way to the theatre to learn f

ub-editor a

f it on my desk when I came in to-night. Some old friends of yours who want to see you. Brand to

ey?" she as

w friends,

foggiest idea,"

ough she looked round interestedly, nor wa

and bald-the skin of his head was almost copper-coloured, though he was obviously a European, for the eyes which beamed benevolently upon her thro

t she had never seen so perfect a "cupid" mouth in her life. There was something so freshly, fragrantly innocent about the girl that Lydia's heart went out to her, and she could hardly keep her eyes on the stage. The unknown seemed to take almost as much interest

her work. With a book on her knee she sketched the somewhat bizarre costumes which had aro

ew the big wet snowflakes under the protecting glass awning into the lobby itself. The favoured playgoers minced daintily through the slush to their waiting cars, then taxis cam

, mi

ut two had passed, packed with passengers, and she was beginning t

apron which partially protected

s Beale

surprise, taking a

s Beale,"

ent me for you," s

ll. He had aroused her in the middle of the night to sketch dresses at a fancy dress ball, but never before had he done anything so

s going at a good pace. She rubbed the windows and tried to look out after a while. Then she endeavoured to lower one, but without success. Suddenly she jumped up and tapped furious

ry. Presently fear came. It was when she tried to open the door, and found that it was fastened from the outside, that she struck a match to discove

t; and then the panic sense left her, and she was her own calm self again. She was not being abducted. These things did not happen in the twentieth century, except in sensational books. She frowned. She had said almost the same thing to somebody that day-to Mrs. Morgan, who had hinted at a romantic marriage.

t out of her mind, but it w

e cab, she looked backward through the peep-hole. She saw two great motor-car lamps within a few yard

t the car behind shot suddenly past and ahead, and she saw its tail lights moving away with a pang of hopelessness. Then, before she realised what had happened, the big car ahead slowed and swung sideway

queerly weak, she obliged. The second man was standing by the side of the driver.

in good hands," he was saying. "You may also burn a candle or tw

out," said the driver sulkily. "I'm

ne been published in the ghastly

irl, and rai

you a more comfortable ride-even if I cannot g