, 1906-05-30

"What have l done to get a crack like
thatY"
The door closed with a decided jar
and a bolt slid.
Munro bowed. 81 understand. l
take the hint. But some day when you
are feeling jolly I'd like to know what
has frosted the air down here among
the aspens."
81 can tell you," said Nora, with the
d%irectness of a woman who has known
rough men all her life. Ann has learn
ed the kind of life you live, and she de
spises the sight of your face"
For the first time in his life Munro
was COMPOUNDED. He stood for Il mo
ment revolving an explanation. At last
he said, you mustn't take an enemy's
report of me-"
Eve do not" said Nora calmly.
"Your wife has called on u.s."
"My wifer'
1.-The woman who calls herself your
wife. TITS all ole SO far as we are
concerned"
Munro frowned. "Claire called!
Here? Then with a leer that was char
acteristic of him, he added, II hope you
had a pleasant chat"
ASK her. She did all the talkin'."
Munro became very serious and very
winning. Nov, see here, Nora'-
call me Mrs. Kelly" she interposed
shortly.
He was not smiling now. His heart
was In his voice. You tell Ann not to
misjudge me. She must give me a
chance to square myself. l don't claim
to be Il saint, but I've been open and
aboveboard with every man or woman
I've ever had any dealings with. What
ever my past has been. I'm living on a
different plane now. I've cut off all
my old habits for her sake. I'm trying
to live up to her standard of things. l
know she's better than | am. but | can
climb. My family is as good as hers. l
started right, and with the help of n
good woman | can get back to where !
was. | claim the work I'm doing here
is worthy her approval. Ask her to let
me see her again"
Nora turned her face toward AIMS
door and both waited in silence, but
no sound came from the inner room,
and Nora, seeing suffering in the lines
of his face, said more kindly: "Ye may
as well go. The door will not open TO
you this day nor any other"
Munro turned and went out with
bowed head, and Nora could not doubt
the sincerity of his pain.
One morning Ann rose to a singular
light. In place of the clear, golden sun
shine which had so often glorified her
room a 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 IONS to-
dress.
She stepped to the door and looked
out with vague alarm. The vapor had
blotted out the world. Nothing could
be seer but the faint forms of one or
two cabins and IA clump of nearby
trees, and she went back shivering and
a little depressed. Il don't like to
leave the peak On UGH a day" she said
at last. 81 think I'll stay till the sun
comes out. | want to think of it as it
has been-radiant and inspiriting."
The cloud hung moyele's for hours,
impenetrable, 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 rs she stood
on the Steps wondering whether to
cross to the bungalow or not Raymond
burst from the ~obscurity.
Good morning." called Ann. Isn't
this a strange effect?'
Ills eyes were shining, his face pale
and his voice vibrant as he abruptly
So: Come with me-; the time has
cone. l wantto talk with you"
What has happenedY" she asked in
alarm.
lie took her by the arm. you prom
ised to listen. You are not afraid of
me, are you?"
No, but | do not understand. Where
Is Louis? Has anything happened to
him?"
Louis is safe with Kelly. l want to
hee YOU pecduse uillSS nave hapIeneu
to me. Come, must see you alone"
They moved off up the path toward
the overlook, and, Notwithstanding her
brave words, the girl wavered in the
gust of this mans oyermastering eX-
element. The mist closed round them,
all signs of other human presence dis
appeared, and they soon stood alone in
a world of gray light wherein neither
sky nor horizon line appeared. All
that remained of the earth was a little
utni, of nro,rl hnnnnth thni. fnot