Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-02-18


tons Josiah had given me vanished in
an instant from my memory, and l stoo
helpless, not knowing which way to turn
/ was in the outskirts of the town, 1t was
nearly eleven O'clock and not a soul WIS
about. L walked straight on, ferventl
hoping that it might be in the right direc
ton.
Finally l was i'll the middle of Ions
street, one side of which was occupie
by ordinary houses, but that on whicl
l found myself was distinguished by
line of vast. gloomy looking buildings
turreted walls hung with ivy, and broken
ruins. l felt awe-struck at the mighty
piles of masonry that lowered above me.
l was standing right before an archway
of a grand Norman tower. l walked tim
idly beneath its black. vaulted ROOF, to
the iron gate at its further end, and peer
ed at the line of crumbling ruins that
rose among the trees and shrubs, white
and ghastly, in the moonlight.
AS l stood thus, l heard rustic.
Chilled with a sense of fear. l turned
quickly round. Through a rent in the
wall, many yards above my head, came
a broad ray of white light. AS l turned,
it was falling upon an object that fasci-
mated my gaze. 1t was the head and
face of a beautiful girl, but so pale, so
rigid, that, for an instant, l thought they
were those of statue. She was crouch
ing in the deep shadow of the black
walls. For moment 1 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
white hand upon my arm. The touch
thrilled me like an electric shock.
You will not hurt me, will your she
/ said in soft nlaadinO vOica She was
a 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; l have never seen eyes like
them-they were sad. so distracted,
in their far-off gaze and as she fixed
them upon mine they thrilled my very
soul.
Hurt you?" l echoed. 1 knew not
what to say; my brain was too confused.
Can you tell me the road to the
city?" she asked, in the same low voice.
L answered that 1 had no idea-that l
had lost my way, and knew not where l
was.
What part do you want?'' she asked,
with a look of deep interest
Il want to get to Little Bethlehem
Chapel; then l can find my road" l an
swered.
At those words she drew back a few
steps. and something of mstrust crept
into her face.
How strange that we should meet"
she said, in a dreamy voice. II think
can show you your way. l would take
you. but dare not" she added, with
shudder But first look out in the
street, and see if any one is about"
l went to the opening of the gateway
and looked out. Not a soul was i'll sight
beckoned to her and she glided to my
side and pointed out the way l was t,
take.
Il think this is my way" she said
Indicating an entirely opposite direction
then added. in an anxious tone, Blu
you will not tell any one that you hav'
, seen meT'
1 assured her l would not. She tool
my hand, and we stood in the silen
street, with the full moonlight shining
down upon us. l could not talk. l fel
, , like one deprived of the power of speed
! and volition.
II wonder if we shall ever meet again
1t is not likely" she went on, with
sigh. That is your way. Good by"
She lightly pressed my hand, and wit
= one more glance from those sad eyes sh
= hurried away.
= In less than half an hour | was i
the garden. AS l began to climb tn
tree the bedroom window was cautiousl
raised; my companions We're sitting II
for me. The clock struck twelve. M
. escapade had escaped detection. / wa
:. overwhelmed with eager questions. | d
; not know what 1 answered. l had fal
= en- back into my dream. l do not kno'
= whether l slept at all that night; m
:. senses were stepped in a delicious laI
guor, in which the play and the after il
, cident were inextricably woven togetht
= in which l had changed my identit,
y l was Romeo, and she whom | had s
= mysteriously met was Juliet. With he
l acted all the scenes of love that
, had witnessed; but mingled with thel
., were new elements shadowy, Intangible
fitting too quickly to De grasped, but
= which Judith Porters face was strang
~ ly mingled. And so these phantom
~ chased each other through my brain III
. til at the last a fair head, with delca
- waxen features wan and colorless, Ia
= dead in my arms.
I. (To be continued)