Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-01-13
face of a beautiful girl. but so pale, SO

lace OI u DeduIllui kiIis put SO pdie, 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 a moment l 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 a soft, pleading voice. She was
slight, delicately formed child, about
my own ase, my own height, clothed in
dark gray dress. Her features were SO
delicately moulded that they seemed
rather those Of a wax doll than Of
human being. except in their expression,
which was full OF soul. Her eyes were
wonderful; have never seen eyes like
them-they wera 30 sad, SO abstracted,
In their far-oh gaze: and, as she fixed
them upon mine. they thrilled my very
soul.
Hurt your I echoed. I knew not
what to say; my brain was too confused.
"Can you tell me the road to the
city 2" she asked, in the same low voice.
answered that had no idea-that I
had lost my way, and knew not where I
was.
What part do you want?" she asked,
with look Of deep interest
Il want to get to Little Bethlehem
Chapel; then l can find my road" I an
swered.
At those words she drew back few
steps, and something Of mistrust crept
into her face.
How strange that we should meetv'
she said. in dreamy voice. Il think I
can show you your way. I would take
you, but 1 dare not" she added, with a
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 in sight.
beckoned to her and she glided to my
side and pointed out the way l 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?'
| I assured her would not She took
my hand, and we stood in the silent
street, with the full moonlight shining
| down upon us. 1 could not talk. I felt
like one deprived Of the power Of speech
and volition.
| II wonder If we shall ever meet again
It is not likely" she went on, with a
sigh. That is your way. Good BY"
She lightly pressed my hand, and with
one more glance from those sad eyes she
hurried away.
In less than half an hour I was In
the garden. As I began to climb the
tree the bedroom window was cautiously
raised; my companions were sitting up
for mes The clock struck twelve. Ny
escapade had escaped detection. I was
overwhelmed with eager questions. do
not know what answered. had fall
en- back into my dream. l do not know
whether 1 slept at all that night; my
senses were stepped In a delicious Ian
guor, in which the play and the after in
cident were inextricably woven together
lin which I had changed my identity
was Romeo, and she whom l had sc
mysteriously met was Juliet. With he1
acted all the scenes Of love that
had witnessed; but mingled with them
were new elements, shadowy, intangible
fitting too quickly to be grasped, but il
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, lay
dead in my arms.
(To be continued.)