Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1911-04-06
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BANNIgTER ffERWIN
/KExz<z7eAzZ0lw7 III
RAY WAITERJ
c.oeYRTotv 1908 " popp r1pAp q cortPANs~

feeling the dial"
His watch was an old hunting-case
which had belonged to his father. He
opened 1t and cracked the crystal with
his pocketknife. As nearly as he could
determine by the sense Of touch 1t was
seven o'clock. Bessie Wallingham
would be wondering by this time why
he had broken an engagement with her
for the second time that day.
There is one thing more to do he
said. 1T is seven o'clock: | don't know
how much longer We shall be able to
breathe easily, and am going to write
note which will explain matters to
the persons who find us--if we should
not happen to be able to tell them"
Laboriously he penciled on the back
of an old envelope the explanation OF
I their presence there. making com
plete and careful charge against Alca-
trante He laid the message on the
floor
On second thought, he picked 1t up
again and put 1t In his pocket, for II
by any chance they should be rescued,
he might forget 1t. In that event Its
discovery would possibly bring an ex-
posture of facts which the girl and her
father would not care to have dis
closed.
faint whisper from the girl.
What is it," he asked. bending
tenderly for her answer.
You must lie down. too
He began to move away. as II to
obey her.
No" she whispered-"here. | want
you near me-"
Slowly he reclined and laid his head
on the coat Her warm breath was on
his face. He felt for her hand, and
found 1t held tightly to his.
His own mind was still torn with
doubts as to the best course. Should
he put himself out Of the way that she
might live? The sacrifice might prove
unnecessary. Rescue might come when
1t was too late for him, yet not toe
late, II he did not hurry his own end
And II she truly loved him and knew
that she loved him, such an act on hit
part would leave her a terrible grie
: which time would harly cure.
He tried to analyze their situation
more clearly, to throw new light on hi
duty. The clerks must all have gon'
by now. There would be a visit or TIVE
: from night Waterman, perhaps, bu
, there was scarcely one chance in
! hundred that he would unbolt tn
:. door.
: The air was vitiating rapidly; the
!. could not both live through the nigh
Buff she loved him as he loved hel
!, she would be happier to die with hir
= than to live at the cost of his life.
= He pictured for himself again tina
! last look of her face; its beauty. 1t
:, strength, its sweet sympathy II
9 seemed to see the stray wisp of hal
that had found its way down upon he
n cheek. Her perfect lips-how well h
a remembered were the unopene
h buds of pure womanly passion.
After all, whether she loved him o
n not. there would still be much In III
q for her.
v. Time would cure her sorrow. Their
IT would be many claims upon her, an
u she would sooner or later resume he
n normal activities.
e Slowly he disengaged his hand fror
her clinging fingers. In his other han
N he still held his pocketknife. To ope
y a vein in his wrist would take but
b. moment. His life would well ava!
there on the tiles.
She would think he was asleep; an
then she herself would drift away int
unconsciousness which would be br,
ken only after the door was opened
the morning.
bah! His mind cleared in flasl
What fool he wasi Need he dout
her for an instant? Need he questio
what she would do when she foun
that he was dead? And she woul
know 1t quickly. This living pulsin
girl beside him loved him!
J They were one forever. They sti
{ lived, and while they lived they mus
hope. And If hope failed, there sti
would be love.
His pent-up emotions broke restrain
With unthinking swiftness, he tire
his arm over her and drew her tight
him. His lips found hers in Ion
kiss-clung In ecstasy for another, an
another.
Her arms went about his neck Il
felt as though her soul had passed fro
her lips to his own.
my lover" she whispered. 4 thin
| have always cared"
"Oh, Girl, Girl" He could utter I
more.
With a faint Sigh she said: 81 a
glad 1t is to be together" She sat Il
still holding his hand. IF 1t need |
at ALL" she added, new firmness
her voice.
IF it need be at ALT" Orme searche
his mind again for some promise of e
cape from this prison which had bee
so suddenly gloriied for them. I'll
smooth, unbreakable walls; the tn
seam of the door; the thermomete
Why had he no. thought of 1t befor,
The thermometer!