Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-01-28

through the keyhole, and at the bot
tom of the door flannel was thrust He
knocked with restrained force the
blood beating thickly at his heart. A
slight movement came from within the
room, but no reply. He knocked again
and called, "Mademoiselle!"
Then her voice answered, in sleepy
tones, "Who is it2"
1T is l." he replied. what are you
doing with the door blocked up?"
Go away" said the girl, drowslIy;
Il am all right now. | thank
you"
He pushed wildly at the door, all his
fears realized, but the lock held
'Mademolsellew he cried, angrily.
Get up and open the door, or l will
burst it in!' He reflected for mo-
ment, and then added: "Think-the
whole house will know!
He heard a movement as of some
one slowly rising, and groans, my
| head. my headw Then a heavy fall
to the floor. At that, exerting all his
! strength, he struck the lock with his
foot, the door flew open, and thick.
! white smoke, as from wood fire, curl
ed out toward him. A stove stood in
! the middle of the floor, from which the
vapOr rose, wreathing and twisting
From the clearness of some part Of the
room he believed the fire had not been
long burning. Quickly lifting the girl
! from beside the bed, he bore her into
his own room, where placing her on a
couch near the open window, he
douched her head and throat with wat
er. Anxiously he watched for signs of
returning consciousness and was on
the point of running for help, when
| her bosom tluttered, the lips twitched.
and the eyelids slowly opened. She
| gazed into his tender eyes for mo-
ment as if she did not recognize him;
then, turning, she burst into passionate
tears.
AS her hands leaped to cover her
face he noticed a wedding ring upon
her finger. 1t had never been there
before.
lie rose from bending beside the
couch and began preparing a meal. He
would not look toward her as he went
about the room, but was conscious of
the restraint she put upon her weep
ing In little while she was silent
and slowly rose from the couch. He
was instantly beside her. She muir
INJURED that she wished to change her
dress, which was wet She was trem-
bling and seemed very weak. When
he had helped her into her room. which
was now cleared Of smoke, he said,
little brusquely:
"Mademoisele, you will promise 70
do nothing rash agaln?'
Il will promise you, yes" she said
almost humbly, her eyes dropping be-
fore his.
Whatever may be troubling YOU"
he went on, you can always depend
on me to help you"
Thank YOU she replied, with so
quick an emotion in her voice that he
was startled and moved.
As they sat at tea, he tried by cheer
ful talk to bring her mind away from
brooding. and after the meal she was
betrayed into some brightness on see
ing him wash up the tea things and
wished, against his laughing protesta
tons, to do it for him. Suddenly. in
the midst of their almost gay talk. she
became silent, the face clouded. and
SHINING drops started from her eyes
/ never dreamed you were so kind "
she said, looking at him, the tears fall
| ing down her face. IL always thought
you We're so stern and cold called
You in my mind the man with TN.
hard eyes"
"oh, but you mustn't trust to an
pearances'' he replied, cheerfullv
I've often thought you were in iron.
BILE and-and hadn't many friends. per
haps."
Il have no friends since nv moor
father died, year ago." she said
sadly when she had wiped her ewes
and could speak quietly He had .
concession which he thought some rich
men here would pay him for but thew
took 1t and gave him worthless paners
When he died, disappointed. tried 70
Keep myself. All our friends seemad
10 have hidden themselves. I have
suffered many things but | cannot