Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-04-04

mans soft hat-Jim's think-and
went up to the roof
It was dark In the third floor hall.
and had to feel my way to tho foot
Of the stairs. I went up quietly and
tusned the knob Of the door to the
roof. At first It would not open. and
could hear the wiAd bowling out
side. Finally. however, I got the door
open little and wormsd my way
through. 1t was not entirely dark
out there, tn spite Of tho storm. A
faint reflection Of tho street lights
made it possible to distinguish the out
lines Of the boxwood plants. swsy1ng
in the wind. and the ohimneys and
the tent. And them dark figure
disentangied itself from the nearest
chimney and seemed to hurl itself at
me. remember putting out my
hands and trying to say something.
but tho figure caught me roughly by
the shoulders and knocked me back
against the door.frame. From miles
away heavy voice was saying, $50
I've got you!" and then the roof gave
on the storm. and sleet was beating
In my face. and the wind was whis-
per1ng over and over. open your
eyes, for Gods saks!"
did open them after . while. and
finally made out that was lying on
the floor in the tent. The lights were
On, and had cold and damp feeling,
and something wet was trickling
down my neck.
seemed to be alone. but in . Sec
ond somebody cane into ne tent, and
I saw it was Mr.. Harrison, and that
he had q double handful Of half melt
ed snow. He looked frantic and de-
termined, and only my sitting up
quickly prevented my getting another
snow bath. Ny neck felt queer and
stiR, and was very Dizzy. When he
saw that was conscious he dropped
the snow and stood looking down at
me.
do you know" he said srimly,
that I very nearly choked you to
death q little while ago."
1T wouldn't surprise me to be told
So" said. DO I know too much, or
what IL It, Mr.. Harbison?" felt ter
ribly Ill. but would not let him see
1t. 1T ia queer, isn't it-how we al.
differences?" He seemed to relax
somewhat At my sibe.
Il didn't know it was you." he ex.
planned shortly. II was waiting for
some one, and in the hat you wore.
and the coat, mistook you. That's
all. Can you stand?"
NO." I retorted. I could, but his
summary manner displeased me. The
sequel, however, was rather amazing.
for he stopped suddenly and picked
me up, and the next instant We were
out in the storm together. At the
door he stopped and felt for tho
knob.
Turn IT," he commanded. II can't
reach it,.
IN do nothing OF the kind" said
shrewishly. Let me down; can
walk perfectly we'll"
He hesitated Then he slid mo
slowly to my feet, but he did not open
the door at once. Are you afraid
~ ASS AAS SoiAy you Oo"A lhOo0 SIdAos
after-Tuesday night" he asked,
very low. you still think 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 leaned
against the door-frame.
Good Lord" he groaned. TO
think that 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.
Il suppose ought TO be. but I'm not
Only-I wanted you to know that I
was not guilty-before. didn't In.
tend to now. Am-almost - much
surprised a. you are"
was quits unable 10 speak. but I
wrenched my hand loose. HU stepped
back to let mo pass. and went dovD
the hall alone.