The Detroit times., 1911-07-10
&PR0FESSoR,S -
,N& MYSTERY I'M,
ENNSM, GIJ HEN&XM
ES Wells Hastings Mx9FYE
md {M1s1
M . DRAN HqDkHS
G1y
VEILoHASTIN6o


We pushed on out of town without
any further adventure: and ON the
open roads on to the northward were
free to make the most OF our speed.
The night slowly faded, not as II
any light were coming, but as n the
darkness itself we're growing faintand
weak. The roadside trees were still
mysterious builts against femoter
gloom, but their blaekness now gave
dull hint Of green and the yellow
glare Of our lamps grew washed out
and lifeless. The Growing OF cocks.
reiterated from place TO place, sound
ed fictitious and unnatural The air
chilled q little and here and there
we ran through memeHtafy blind
ness OF mist, as ir small cloud had
fallen to drift along the surface OF
the earth. sat back half drowsily,
with relaxed nerves; and although
had no desire for sleep. although
meyer loosened my hands upon the
wheel, nor took my eyes for q second
from the waverlng end OF the ribbon
OF light that unwound itself confinu.
ally toward me, yet ! felt somehow
unreal and very peaceful, without
will or memory, like q person In a.
dream. The car obeyed me without
my being conscious OF any movement,
as II guided II by my mere vofition.
Slowly the pallor around me changed
from green to gray: the air freshened
as the stars went out; and the tWit-
ter OF birds and the scattered barking
OF dogs underran the unvarying, I'm
eyitable drumming OF the engine.
That sound itself dried and hardened
In the keener atmosphere. And In
the pleasure Of the perfect power un-
der me, let the car out nearly to
the limit of its speed, until the side
long sway OF the body warned me
that was driving too fast for the
road. We passed milk wagon or
two and an occasional early trolley.
Then came the dawn. so swiftly thnt
II was full day OF sunlight and shadow
before I thought TO look for color In
the east. Somehow II did not seem
like morning. but like coming out Of
q curtained house into the midst Of
afternoon.
| II was part OF this same strange
ness that only felt the exhilaration
of the present without any thought OF
trouble that lay before me and be-
hind. l was q conquering hero, car
rying my princess home In triumph
out OF the castle of the enchanter. !
had overcome desperate accidents
and won my spurs; this page Of the
fairy-tale bore a picture In shining
lcolors, and / knew OF neither the last
page nor the next. II Was In this
mood that passed, unheeding,
through the gathering familiarity OF
nearer landmarks, past the inn and
lup the winding hill, and drew up at
Hast before the Tabors' door with
some vague fancy that ! should hear
a trumpet blown. I suppose that !
was unconsciously very tired and In
part asleep. SO chat II came upon me
with the shock of a violent awaken
ling when the front door swung open
and Mr.. Tabor hurried out to meet
US, followed by Doctor Reid.
The fairy-tale burst like q bubble,
and the actuality OF all that those two
Imen stood for In my last few days and
all the days to come drowned me In
q breath. got down mechanically TO
help them. suppose We must have
spoken few words while Lady was
getting out OF the car and Mrs. Ca
rucci was helped down and hHff-car-
Tried into the house between the two
men. But | do not remember. re-
member only the three figures In the
doorway, the dropping woman, With
their arms about her. Then the door
closed, and Lady stood alone upon the
steps above me. Her eyes were larg-
er for the shadows under them; but
there was no bloom upon her, and
wondered why had thought her real
Ily beautiful.
/ 'Tll take the car around and leave
/ It." said "Good-by."
You're q strange man.. she NUT
tered: then with her sudden smile,
Aren't you coming In to breakfast
1 You've had an adventure, and you
ought to be hungry"
Her tone Jared. Never mind
that" said bitterly. II was to go
this morning, and I'm going. There's
still plenty OF time for my train. The
sooner It's over with, the better"
what do you mean?" she asked.
mean? / mean what you told me
land one thing more, I understand
now what you meant yesterday. be-.
cause found your marriage notice In
an old paper"
.what marriage notice7 ! don't
understand"
...