MODUS OPERANDI V

The candle in the window burned down to the socket

Sputtered, a flared a moment

And went out unobserved

For the woman slept and dreamed

In her dreams, she sat beside the cradle of a second child

The first one was dead

The father was dead

The home in the forest was lost and the dwelling in which she lived was unfamiliar

Lifting her eyes she saw two bright objects

Starring the darkness with a reddish green glow

For these were the eyes of a panther

The beast was at the open window directly opposite and not five paces away

Nothing but those terrible eyes was visible

But in the dreadful tumult of her feelings, as the situation disclosed itself to her understanding

She somehow knew that the animal was standing on its hinder feet

Supporting itself with its paws on the window ledge

That signified a maligned interest

Not the mere gratification of an indolent curiosity