The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-21
4 GLIMPSE BEHIND THE
 VEIL.
BY CATHERINE cARR.

! |
 I BY CATHERINE CARR.
 Copyright. 1904. by Daily Story Pub Fl Col.
 ! A storm. sudden and violent wal
 raging over Point Au Clare. Thos
 who had been lounging in shady nook
 were forced to scurry with undigni
 ned haste across the sands to the ho
 tel and cottages, where safe, i
 breathless, they watched the ierc
 warning of the clements without Blu
 out on bit of high rearing rock ant
 sand stood a man and a woman t
 whom retreat to shelter was denied
 for the littlo pebbly neck that had let
 to mainland was covered by the wint driven waves.
 They were strangers, these two, ant neither had known of the others pres ence on the islet until, finding retreat cut of, they sought refuge among tht higher boulders where they met witt surprised eyes. When the woman found that she had masculine com panion in this hour of peril, she had a relieved feeling of being able to cast its difficulties upon other and broader shoulders, and she sprang forward with outstretched hands, which the man despite a momentary sense of annoyance at thus having a woman thrust upon his protection. caught close to his own. He spoke a few res assuring words and drew her up to a more sheltered niche among the rocks. where fer a time they sat si- l iently.
 The lightning came in swift, blind- ing drifts through the greenish masses of low hanging clouds and the waves broke at their feet with q I fhroafar oha n m throe of terror. In ais wise she con- tradicted his knowledge of her sex. i and he decided that she was not like | other women. She was thus of inter- est, and he considered her critically when by the lightning's glare he could see her face.
 She was slight and blonde, with a delicate mouth, but firm chin, and great eyes that held the look of one who seeks: over all placid boise firm ly held. The man had a singular block of ice, and a pulse of pity for the imprisoned bloom.
 His own thin face bore the look of one who had lived life in most of its phases. and had found only the wear mess of each. Had she known him the woman would have felt the gleam of interest she had brought to his heavily lidded eyes, to be a distinct tribute.
 You are not afraid?" he asked, presently. Not because he thought she was. but from a desire to hear her speak. He classified people by their voices.
 T think not" she said, and though it was necessary to speak loudly to be heard above the tumult of water and wind, her tones were musically tho contralto of his favor. "Of course I was really terrified when I thought I was alone. but not now"
 Why not? You must know that I would do all in my power for you. but that I am powerless against this" he said, involuntarily, however. interpos- ing his arm before her face as the salt spray dashed high up over them.
 T don't know why" she answered, simply, but it was such a relief to find you here that all my fright left me at once"
 "You are kind to say SO. Though of course" he added, "it was the sense of not being alone that brought re- lief"
 Tt may have been, and yet" she looked thoughtfully at him. The strength of everyone does not inspire confidence"
 NO, I suppose not" he replied, in- adequately.
 He had just noticed that the water, even when not wind driven. was about their ankles, and the awful suspicion that 1t would soon sweep entirely over the rocks was pressing upon him. He did not voice the thought then, only suggesting that 1t might be well to go higher. and half lifted his companion to a narrow ledge above The boulder that ahaltaFad thorn xyntIId hn step, and the last-then--. He turned and looked long at the woman whose shoulder touched his arm.
 An indefinable something in the look of her sent his thoughts zigzag- ging back to the dream corner of his brain, where certain vague ideal fan cies of his younger days had long been slowed as idle and impossible. His desire to know more of this wo- man with whom he was to meet death leaped sudden and strong.
 What Is your name?" he asked, ab- ruptly.
 Mrs" she began.
 NO, don't mean that. I mean your own, your Christian name"
 The woman wondered, but this man was able to say unusual things with out offending.
 Avis" she said.
 His eyes absorbed her again,
 Tt suits you" he said.
 You think so? It Is generally judg- ed the contrary"
 You are not generally misunder- stood, I fancy"
 Possibly" with little sigh. "Yet Isn't that what people say when they have made a failure of life?"
 No doubt" and he echoed her sigh. With the approach of their close the utility of his own years was strongly borne in upon him. He took out a ci-