Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-09-21

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bowed head, and Nora could not doubt
the sincerity Of his pain.
One morning Ann rose to singular
light. In place Of the clear, golden sun
shine which had so often glorified her
room blue-gray mist lay thick against
her window pane. Raising the sash,
she put her hand into TIT was like
smoke, dry and coldl Dressing hur-
riedly she entered the sitting room,
where Matt was helping his sons to
dress.
She stepped to the door and looked
out with vague alarm. The vapor had
blotted out the world. Nothing could
be seen but the faint forms Of one or
two cabins and a clump Of nearby
trees, and she went back shivering and
a little depressed. II don't like to
leave the peak on such a day." she said
at last. II think I'll stay till tile sun
comes out. want to think Of it as II
has been-radiant and inspiriting."
The cloud hung moveless for hours,
tmpenetrable, yet resisting. A hush
was In the air rs though some disaster,
concealed as yet, was about to be dis.
covered. About 10 o'clock as she stood
on the steps wondering whether ia
cross to the bungalow or not Raymond
burst from the obscurity.
"Good morning." called Ann. "Isn't
this a strange effect?'
His eyes were shining, his face pale
and his voice vibrant as he abruptly
said: Come with me; the time has
come. l want to talk with YOU"
| 'sWhat has happened?' she asked in
alarm.
He took her by the arm. "You prom
lsed to listen. You are not afraid Of
Ime, are. you?"
"No, but do not understand. Where
Is Louis? Has anything happened to
him?'
Louis is safe with Kelly. want to
lee you because things have happened
to me. Come, must see you alone
They moved off up the path toward
he overlook, and, Notwithstanding her
brave words, the girl wavered in the
| gust Of this mans overmastcring ex.
/ element. The mist closed round them
all signs of other human presence dis
appeared, and they soon stood alone in
9 world Of gray light wherein neither
sky nor horizon line appeared. All
that remained of the earth was little
/ strip Of ground beneath their feet.
Raymond stopped at last and held
toward Ann small, irregular piece of
rock. ''Do you see that?" he hoarsely
inquired.
She took it wonderingly. is 1t ore?''
eyes, and it's heavy with gold. KEEL
ly's luck has won again. We've open
ed vein that will make us both rich.'
There was no tremor or doubt in his
i tone.
"Oh, I'm so gladg' she cried out, with
unaffected pleasure. Nov Mrs. Kelly
can 60 to live in the valley"
"Never mind the Kellys now" he
cried out impatiently. II have great
deal to say to you, and want to, say
It here. I'm going to try and win you"
His manner was exultant, his voice
tense with passion. az am bold to reck-
lessness today"
He had never been humble. Now he
rose above her, masterful, an avowed
Hover, and his eyes burning down into
hers made her shrink and shiver as If
from cold.
He misread the movement. Are you
warm enough?' he asked tenderly. II
hope you are, for want to tell you
explain to you-why am here. Let
US sit here" He indicated fiat rock.
"This is our only opportunity. No one
will know-no one can see us. VIII
you lstenT'
II will listen," she said quietly and
took seat, drawing her cloak about
her.
He took seat little in front, SO
that he could see her face, which was
radiant as rose In the mist. eve
been trying to write you letter ever
since you came. wanted to set my
self right with you on Louis account.
love the lad, and ! wanted you to
know that I was trying to do him
good"
II know that. I trust you now" :.
4That assurance Is sweet to me, but
want to tell you now that the only
mystery In my life Is this: am a
West Point cadet-I mean, I was',
Were you, reallyy' She looked at
him with such unmistakabls relief and
gladness that he faltered.
Wait. was only there two years.
was court martialed for breach Of
discipline and gross INSTRUMENTATION at
the beginning Of my third year.
He FASTENED on. You mustn't Judge
me hastily. It came on my return aft
Or furlough. That's the time when the
routine and discipline pinch hardest
on the men. After two years Of grind
that hated ! had visit home-a de-
licious free tme-and to get back into
school, back into those cold, gray bar
racks. was like going into strait
jacket. The first few weeks after the
vacation are times Of disorder, period
Of boyish deviitry, and I took my share
N 1t. Ny breach Of discipline was
nothing more than boys frolic.
should have been punished for It, and
that would have ended 1t, but hated
one Of the officers, the disciplinarian,
and when he rounded me up he rasped
me till lost my head. Being quick
tempered youth, I answered him. He
abused me shamefully, and l struck
him in the face, and that ended my
stay at West Point
"Oh, how foolishl How wrongp'