The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-06-08

man. evidentIy-and extremely good I,
look at just now amusement strug
gied with admiration In the clear-cu
features, as he stepped forward an,
again held out his hand.
| Please forgive me- he began. Quit
as eontritely as II he really were {,
blame Il did not know--it was 5,
insufferabiy stupid OF me" Hi
stopped. You are altogether charm
ing, said his eyes)
Anne's face softened.
Il am sure DR.. Nelson will interced,
TOT me- he went on, pursuing his ad
vantage.
Anne smiled. CDR. Nelson Is not a.
home. am his daughter" she saie
Then we are already old friends,
declared the man eagerly I'm camI
last September your father-but first
allow me to present myself. / am
'Mistah Rexall,n announced johnson
at the library door, bowling pompcrsly
as he held aside the hangings to admit
slender, dark-eyed man, who adj
vanced step into the room and then
stood uncertainty in the dim light.
The surprise on Anne's face was
equaled by that of the man beside her.
He turned with quick start, glanced
Sharply at the newcomer, then stood
motionless in the shadow.
With a most unreasonable sense OF
disappointment Anne advanced to well
come the new arrival.
Father will be delighted. He has
counted so on your coming-we were
quite distressed over your telegram.
So glad You managed to get here after
all" She forced herself to the usual
conventionalities.
So this was John Rexall, this man
whom she instinctively dreaded-per-
haps it was the Pickering freight that
give that shifting CLEAN to his eyes.
She touched a bell. "A light. John
son. she commanded, half nervously.
Mr.. Rexall, allow me TO present"
Her words trailed off into amazed ST.
lence. The room behind her was empty.
A door closing softly at the further end
where the erstwhile admirer had gone.
One o'clock chimed the tiny time
piece on the mantel. Outside the sound
was repeated somewhere in the dis
lance to grayer, deeper tones Anne
shivered. Two hours had passed since
the household had settled into silence.
but so far no sleep had come to her
eyes. She had not even undressed, but
still sat upon the hearth rug in front Of
the fire in her coy bedroom, staring
into the glowing Goals.
1t was dreary waiting, but some
vague fear had kept her awake, hop
ing neryously for her fathers return,
listening anxiously for the first sound
of his horses hoofbeats on the gravel
outside. Indeed, IL he did not come
soon she had the horrible conviction
that she would scream. In vain she
tried to reason it away, sitting, her face
in her hands; her eyes on the clear
glowing Goals. What matter If she in
distrusted the man her fa-
Their had found eompanionable? Was
that such an extraordinary thing?
What il the man she had found con-
you know you did like
him." she said to herself, "even if you
did" Here her cheeks supported by
the slim hands grew unaecountably hot.
What if this man had chosen to take
his departure suddenly?
Was that so strange? He had come
to see her father, and she herself told
him that her father was not at home.
But reason as she might, the vague
remained.
At the sound of the clock she shiyered
slightly, and getting up from her lowly
position she drew back the curtains of
her window. The storm had ceased,
md the snow lay lightly on branch and
wall; the night was brilliant with NOON
light. clear as day, full Of hallowed
She stood for q while, spellbound by
The glory of the scene before her, then
turned again toward the fire. The
she had worn that evening in
ler belt, now lying wilted on her dress
ng table, caught her eye. Il forgot to
rnlg Of J,r Aaxx f4rs,
he library will be too cold for them.
will attend them now; anything is
better than waiting here"
She left her room and walked swiftly
along the hall, her soft slippers making
10 sound on the floor.
AS she reached the staircase a little
sensation of fear ran through her; she
fastened her footsteps and ran hurried |
" along the lower hall, which was al |
most as light as day 1t was the eerie
lime of night Not until she was close |
10 the library did she notice tiny |
CLEAN of light creeping from beneath
he door.
johnson has left light for daddy"
The thought going steadily on and de- |
,idedly cheered by the thought that |
gloom did not await her.
Pushing open the door very gently, |
he entered the room
AT first the light dazzled her sight.
She advanced a few steps, unconscious
Y treading lightly, as she had done all
long, lest she would wake some MEM
Ter Of the household, and then, pass,
ng her hand over her eyes, looked leis-
rely up. The fire was nearly out. She
urned her head and then-thenshe
Uttered faint scream and grasped the
ack of chair to steady herself.
With his back to her-all unaware Of