Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-01-14
CHAPTER XIV.

The winter continued cold and
clustering. Helen sketched no more
out of doors. But she did the interior
of the Dutch house and both sketches
were sold on the opening day OF the
spring exhibition. Whenever Derring
chided her for careless disregard of
her health. she would meekly call his
attention to this very pleasant and
tangible result of the North Shore ex-
pedition.
Derring gradually became conscious
OF another result-less palpable, but
no less real. Since their first acuuaip-
.tance he had known that her presence
had marked effect on him-soothipg
and quieting him II he were tired, and
quickening his fancy and imagination
If he were in good spirits. He was
always conscious of her presence in a
room. even before his eyes had testi-
fled 1t. Soon he became aware that
a new and more subtle communication
had been established between them.
He continued to feel an added sense
OF well-being in her presence; but
he discovered that this power OF her
personality had escaped the bonds of
space, and that wherever she might
be. his spirit was conscious of her.
The first sign of this was a vague
restlessness and foreboding which
came to him, now and then, without
apparent cause.
Since she was always In his mind, It
did not occur to him as strange that
his thoughts OF her should take
gloomy turn when this humor was on
him. Nor did he guess the secret of
the strange mood till n day when the
feeling became too strong to be re-
sisted. and he sought her in the stu
dio. He found her sitting on the top
of tall step-ladder. a comical pic
ture OF despair.
Her face frightened as he appeared
In the doorway. "Oh. l am so glad.
Do you suppose you can get me
down."
"of course. Come on" He held
out his hands.
Il can't I have sprained my foot.
It was silly to try to hang a heavy
picture on this rickety old thing. l
never dreamed I should slip. though
1t hurts SO that l can't bear my
weight-oh." She lifted It carefully.
And the ladder shakes SO l don't dare
hop down. ! am sure l hope you have
sense enough to know what to do
haven't"
He lifted her carefully from her
insecure seat and placed her on the
very hard divan that ran the length OF
the room.
You have to spend most Of your
time rescuing me. don't your" she
said. laughing. How did you happen
to come over SO early? had made
up my mind to sit there till six o'clock.
Tom has to come for some pictures
then"
How had he happened to GOMEZ
In a flash he saw 1t all-and told her.
She laughed n little at the explana.
ton. But he recalled to her other
times when he had unconsciously been
warned OF her danger or discomfort.
They discussed the situation with ana
lytic appreciation. At least, II not
true, 1t was interesting.
A few experiments convinced them
that 1t was true as well as interesting.
II was evidently an uncertain COM
munication. however. Several times
Nhth he sltlutu W Tie IttllHS vi
quiet and sought her out he found her
working, serenely unconscious Of dan
ger and ready to laugh at his fears.
Moreover, 1t was a one-sided commu-
nication. Helen. rs he reproachfully
pointed out to her. was never con-
scious of danger to him, while he had
a headache IL she SO much as scratch
ed her little finger.
But. although Derring jested. he re-
joiced in this new power. 1t deepened
their relation. He might be disquieted
without cause: but at least no harm
would come to her without his know
ing 1t.
But as the spring came on a new
dread assailed him. Soon 1t would be
summer. She would go home for the
vacation. Would this power extend