The Washington herald., 1910-06-27
ans soft hat-Jim's I land went

mans soft hat-Jim's I thin and went
up TO the roof.
II was dark in the tsEd aoor bail and
/ had to feel my wa T. the foot q he
stairs l went up qaieflg. and turnef
| the knob OF the G9pT e. Tie rocE At
first Il would not open, and J eessd heaf
the wind bowling outside nanr how
ever, got the door open iltle sn
wormed my way through Il uaz rot
entirely dark out there. in spite 81 fne
| storm. faint reflection OF the street
| lights made IL possible TO distinguish ths
| outlines Of the lockwood plants, swaying
| in the wind. and the chimneys and the
I tent. And then-a dark figure disentan-
gled itself from the nearest chimney and
seemed TO hurl itself at me- l remem-
Der putting out my hands and trying to
say something, but the figure caught me
roughly by the shoulders and knocked
me back against the door-frame. From
miles away a heavy voice was saying.
so I've. got you" and then the roof
gave frdln under me. and was floating
out on the storm. and sleet was beating
in my face. and the wind was whisper
ing over and over, open your eyes, for
Gods saker'
did open them after a while. and fn-
ally / made out that / was lying on the
floor In the tent The lights were on,
AMI had a cold and damp feeling, and
| something wet was trickling down my
neck
/ seemed to be alone, but in q second
somebody came into the tent, and I saw
II was Mr.. Harrison. and that he had a
double handful Of half melted snow.
he looked frantic and determined, and
| only my sitting up quickly prevented my
getting another snow bath When he
saw that I was conscious he dropped
the snow and stood looking down az me.
DO you know" he said grimly. that
l very nearly ehoked you 90 death a
little while ago2"
TT wouldn't surprise me to be told
So" / said. do I know too much,
what is ii. Mr.. Hsrbison?" I felt
riely III, but I would not let him gee
| 1T is queer, isn't it-how we alw4
select the roof for our little-differenees
| he seemed 10 relax somewhat at r.
gibe.
Il didn-. know it was you" he e
| planned shortly. II was waiting fo1-
some one and in the hat you wore, at
| the coat, l mistook you. That's all. CO
| you standT'
NO" I retorted. l could but his sun
mary manner displeased me. The seque
! however, was rather amazing, for
! stopped suddenly and picked me up, an
/ the next instant we were out IN TIL
storm together. AT the door he stopped
and felt for the knob
Turn it" he commanded. II can't
/ reach it."
ri do nothing OF the kind" I said
shrewishly. Let me down; I can walk
( perfectly we'll"
He hesitated. Then he slid me slowly
TO my feet, bus he did not open the door
al once. Are you afraid to let me carry
you down those stairs. after-Tuesday
nightT' he asked. very low. You still
think I did that?"
I had never been less sure OF Il than
at that moment. but an imp OF perversity
made me retort, Yes"
He hardly seemed TO hear me- He
stood looking down at me as I leaned
against the do0r-frame.
Good Lord" he groaned. ITO think
that l might have killed you." And then
he stopped and suddenly kissed me.
The next moment the door was open,
and he was leading me down into the
house. At the foot OF the staircase he
paused, still holding my hand. and faced
me in the darkness.
I'm not sorry" he said steadily 'I
suppose l ought TO be. but I'm not.
Oniy-I want you to know that was
not guilty-before. I didn't intend 10
now. l am-almost as much surprised
as you are"
l was quite unable 70 speak, but
wreEched my hand loose. He stepped
back 10 LET me pass, ana I went down
the hall alone.