Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/318

308 heart in her eyes. But nothing came to her from the night but the call of some far-off voice, or a closing door, and then all was silent. When would the long-lost one be restored to her? When would the dead have their hour? It was drawing late.

"Hush!" She heard a dog bark far out in the darkness. She listened. Something was happening—something was coming. Who? What? There was no sound of footsteps. Only she knew. Now the neighbour’s dog was pulling at his chain and howling. Her heart beat fast She looked around. Nothing was there! Was she afraid of what was coming—her own beloved?

"Pulse of my heart, come quickly!" she said, and turned her face to the fire.

Now the dog next door whined as though in the near presence of something he feared. She could hear his chain drag as he went moaning into his kennel. Her heart beat until she could hardly breathe. And then she heard a finger press upon the latch. She half rose, and, looking behind her, saw the opening door and no hand upon it.

"Pulse of my heart, come quickly!" she