The Delta independent., 1906-06-15

man, evidently-and extremely good to
| look at. Just now amusement strug-
gled with admiration in the clear-cut
features, as he stepped forward and
again held out his hand.
please forgive me-" he began. quite
as contritely as if he really We're to
blame. Il did not know-it was so
msufferably stupid of me" He
stopped. C.You are altogether charm
ing" said his eyes.)
Anne's face softened.
Il am sure DR.. Nelson will intercede
for me-" he went on, pursuing his ad-
vantage.
Anne smiled. "Dr. Nelson is not at
home. l am his daughter" she said
simply.
Then we are already old friends
declared the man eagerly. In camp
last September your father-but first
allow me to present myself l am
"Mistah Rexall,' announced Johnson.
at the library door. bowling pomporsly
as he held aside the hangings to admit
a slender. dark-eyed man. who ad-
vanced a 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
ICOnventionalitles.
So this was John Rexall. this man
whom she instinctively dreaded-per-
haps it was the fiickering freight that
give that shifting gleam TO his eyes.
She touched bell. "a light, john
son." she commanded. half nervously.
Mr.. ReNall, allow me TO present"
Her words trailed on into amazed ST.
lence. The room behind her was empty.
\ 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
tance to graver. deeper tones. Anne
shiyered. 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 cozy bedroom. staring
into the glowing Goals.
1t was dreary waiting. but some
vague fear had kept her awake, hop
ing nervously for her fathers return.
! listening anSiously for the first sound
Of his horses hoofbeats on the gravel
outside. Indeed. If he did not come
soon She had the horrible conviction
that she would scream. In vain she
tried to reason II away, sitting. her face
In her hands, her eyes on the clear
glowing Goals. What matter II she in
stinctively distrusted the man her ia
ther had found companionable? Was
that such an extraordinary thing?
What II the man she had found con-
genal-"for you know you did like
him." she said to herself, even IL you
did" Here her checks supported by
the slim hands grew unaccountably hot.
What II 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
misgiving remained.
At the sound of the clock she shlvered
slightly, and getting up from her lowly
position she drew back the curtains Of
her window. The storm had ceased.
and the snow lay lightly on branch and
wall: the night was brilliant with moon.
light. clear as day. full Of hallowed
softness.
She stood for while, spellbound by
the glory of the scene before her. then
| turned again toward the fire. The
crocuses she had worn that evening in
her belt, now lying wilted on her dress
| ing table. caught her eye. II forgot to
look at the tlowers-if the fire dies down
| the 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
no sound on the floor.
As she reached the staircase a little
sensation of fear ran through her: she
hastened her footsteps and ran hurried
| ly along the lower hall. which was al
most as light as day. 1t was the eerie
time of night. Not until she was close
| to the library did she notice a tiny
CLEAN of light creeping from beneath
| the door.
johnson has left a light for daddy
she thought, going steadily on and de-
| cidedly cheered by the thought that
gloom did not await her.
Pushing open the door very gently,
she entered the room.
At first the light daZzled her sight.
She advanced a few steps, unconscious
| ly treading lightly, as she had done all
along. lest she would wake some men,
ber of the household, and then, pass
| ing her hand over her eyes. looked 1eis-
urely up. The fire was nearly out. She
turned her head. and then-then-she
uttered faint scream and grasped the
back of chair to steady herself
With his back to her-all unaware of