Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-02-18

myself alone in the street All the direc
tons Josiah had given me vanished IL
an instant from my memory, and L stood
helpless, not knowing which way to turn
was in the outskirts of the town, it was
nearly eleven o'clock, and not a soul was
about. | walked straight on, fervently
hoping that it might be in the right direc
ton.
Finally | was in the middle of a long
street, one side of which was occupied
by ordinary houses, but that on which
| found myself was distinguished by q
| line of vast. gloomy looking buildings
| turreted walls hung with ivy, and broken
ruins. | felt awe-struck at the mighty
| piles of masonry that lowered above me.
| was standing right before an archway
of grand Norman tower | walked tim
idly beneath its black, vaulted ROOF, to
the iron gate at its further end, and peer
ed at the line of crumblng ruins that
rose among the trees and shrubs, white
and CHASTITY, in the moonlight.
AS | stood thus, | heard a rustic.
Chilled with a sense of fear. | turned
quickly round. Through a rent in the
wall, many yards above my head, came
a broad ray of white light. As | turned,
it was falling upon an object that fasci-
mated my gaze. 1t was the head and
face of n beautiful girl, but so pale, so
rigid, that, for an instant, | thought they
were those of statue. She was crouch
ing in the deep shadow of the black
walls. For a moment | stood spell
bound. my eyes fixed upon hers. She
was the first to break the spell Rising
from her crouching position, she timidly
advanced towards me, and laid a small
Wllte hand upon my arm. The touch
thrilled me like an electric shock.
on will not hurt me, will your she
said in a soft, pleading voice. She was
Slight, delicately formed child, about
my own age, my own height, clothed in
a dark gray dress. Her features were so
delicately moulded that they seemed
rather those of a wax doll than of a
human being, except in their expression
which was full Of soul Her eyes were
wonderful; | have never seen eyes like
them-they We're so sad. so distracted
in their far-oif gaze; and. as she fixed
them upon mine, they thrilled my very
soul.
Hurt your | echoed I knew not
what to say; my brain was too confused.
Can you tell me tho road to the
city, she asked, in the same low voice.
| answered that had no idea-that
had lost my way, and knew not where |
was.
What part do you want?" she asked,
with a look of deep interest.
Chapel, then | can find my road" an
swered.
At those words she drew back few
steps, ana something of mistrust crept
into her face
How strange that we should meet!'
she said. in a dreamy voice. Il think |
can show you your way. | would take
you. but | dare not" she added, with a
shudder. But first look ont in the
street, and see if any one is about"
| went to the opening Of the gateway.
and looked out. Not a soul was IN sight.
heckoned to her and she glided to, nv
side and pointed out the way was to
take.
Il think this is my way" she said.
indicating an entirely opposite direction;
then added, in an anxious tone, But
you will not tell any one that you have
seen me?'
| assured her | would not. She took
my hand, and we stood in the silent
street, with the full moonlight shining
down upon us. | could not talk. | felt
like one deprived of the power of speech
and volition.
Il wonder if we shall ever meet again I?
1T is not likely" she went on. with a
sigh. That is your way. Good bv."
She lightly pressed my hand and with
one more glance from those sad ewes she
hurried away.
In less than half an hour 7 was in
the garden. AS | began to climb the
tree the bedroom window was cautiously
raised; my companions were sitting nm
for me. The clock struck twelve. Nv
escapade had escaped detection. was
overwhelmed with eager questions. do
not know what l answered. | had folI-
en- back into my dream. do not know
whether | slept at all that night. NV
senses were STEPPED in a delicious lam
gnor' IN which the play and the after in
cldent were inextricably woven together
i'll which | had changed nv identity.
| was Romeo, and she whom | had so
mysteriously met was Juliet. With her
l acted all the scenes of love that
had witnessed; but mingled with them
were new elements. shadowy, intangible.
fitting too quickly to re grasped bnt in
which Judith Porter's face was strange
ly mingled. And so these phantoms
chased each other through my brain. un-
til at the last fair head, with delicate
waxen features, wan and colorless. Law
dead in my arms.
Go be continuedO