The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-05-04

- Da-olOE 1OO.
came, tall, broad shouldered. crossing
the room to her with Il quick, easy
stride, she could find no words for the
wild rush Of joy that enveloped her,
but stood motionless, holding out her
hands to him in the dim, firelit room.
Martha, Marthar he said INSTEAD
lily, grasping the slender, outstretched
hands tightly in his own. And when
she did not speak
Martha. have | made mistake? Do
you want me to stay? Tell me the
truth
Yes, yes" she answered tremulous-
ly, leaving her hands in his in her tu-
mutt of delight ''I-oh, can you not
see it,"
Yes" he said gravely; Il know"
u never meant that other" she went
on, breaking into low, nervous laugh
ter. Il knew even when | said it that
| didn't. yesterday oh"-the
clasp of her slender fingers tightened
on hiS-"I don't know what | should
have done if you had
She stopped abruptly and. with
heavy shudder, burst into tears in the
strong, tender clasp of his arms.
Some time afterward she slipped
away from him and dropped into the
deep leather chair drawn up in front
of the fireplace A little sigh escaped
her. She motioned him to neighbor-
ing chair, but gravely and not with her
accustomed gayety.
Too far Off. ! can do the subject
justice only at close range" he object
ed.
Standing on the hearth rug, he smiled
down at her. She was looking straight
before her, wide eyed and motionless,
staring into the dancing flames. He
regarded her searchingly and as if i'm
PEELED to the question because of her
extreme stilIess.
"Of what are you thinking?' he
asked
She turned to him, drawing her
breath quickly. The logs in the fire
place famed up in sudden brilliance,
and for the first time she noticed his
pallor and the dark circles under his
eyes. His face, too, was graver than
it's wont in spite of its great content.
Il have forgotten how hard it was
for you, too" Martha said, with quick
contrition. do you know, Robert
she sat UP suddenly. her eyes dark
with horror thought was there
with you. heard the shrieks l saw
the red glare of tie flames. l felt the
train sway and jal as the cars ahead
crashed into the engjne. Oh!'
She broke off with long, shuddeling
breath.
Robert" she said solemnIy, Il did
see it. I-was-on-t hat-trainrs
He looked at her 'trangely, then
seated himself on the arm OF the big
leather chair and, slipping his arm
around her, drew her gently toward
him.
1T was yesterday" she went on in
choked voice, nervously clasping and
unclasping his hand. 81 was sitting
here. and | kept thinking and thinking
of YOU. and then suddenly | saw you.
You were sitting(in a car smoking and
laughing and talking, and all the while
some dreadful thing was creeping up
beside you-closing in around you-and
YOU would not see. With all my might
| called to you to come away, and al
most that same instant came terrific
Jolt and the horrible grinding sound or
crashing cars. tried to close my eyes
to the binding glare of the spreading
flames, and then-I was here again
inst sitting here before the fire at
home"
A sob shook her, and he drew her
closer. Then she went on again, neiv-
ously, In a half smothered voice, lit
tie pause between each sentence.
"The dream haunted me. Then your
telegram came, Robert"-she changed
her position somewhat and regarded
him earnestly-"I did not dream 1t. l
saw it. Tell me that you believe l did
not dream it."
He nodded, regarding her gravely.
But how could see 1t when was