The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-07-25

.oom an Inch at a time. He saw n
section OF wall at first dlmly iflumi-
mated. then small table neHr the
window covered with books and magu-
zines and beside It a reclining chair
buried thick under great white bear
robe. On the table. but beyOnd his
vision, was the lamp. He drew him
self a. few inches more through the
snow, leaning still farther ahead. until
he saw the foot OF a white bed. A lit
tie more and he stopped. his white
face close to the window pane.
On the bed. facing him. sat Mcleese.
Her chin was buried in the cup of her
hands. and he noticed that she was in
dressing gown and that her beauti-
full hair was loosed and flowing in
Elfstening waves about her. as though
she had Just brushed It for the night
a movement slight shifting OF her
eyes, and she would have seen him.
He was filled with an almost master
ing impulse 10 press his face closer.
to tap on the window. to draw her
eyes to him. hut even as his hand rose
to do the bidding OF that impulse
sonnet hing restrained him. Slowly the
girl lifted her head. and he was thrill
ed to find that another impulse drew
him back until his ghostly face was
part OF the elusive snow gloom. He
watched her as she turned from him
and threw back the glory of her hair
until it half hid her in mass OF COP
per and gold. From his distance he
still guzed at her. choking and unde-
cided. while she gathered 1t in three
heavy strands md plated It into a
shining braid.
For an Instant his eyes wandered
-
empty. He saw a door and observed
that it opened into another room.
which In turn could be entered through
the platform door behind him. With
his old exactness for detail he leaped
to definite conclusion. These were
Si.Icese's apartments at the post.
separated from nil others. and HeIeese
WIS preparing TO retire for the night
If the outer door was not locked and
he entered, what danger could there
be of interruption? 1t was late. The
post was asleep. He had seen no light
but that in the window through which
he was staring.
The thought was scarcely born be-
fore he was at the platform door. The
latch clicked gently under bis fingers
Cautiously he pushed the door inward
and thrust in his head and shoulders
He was in a narrow corridor. Ahead
OF him there shone thin ray OF light
from under the door that opened into
Meleese's room. Nerving himself for
the last move, he went boldly to the
door, knocked lightly to give some
warning of bis presence and entered.
MeIeese was gone. Then. at the far
end Of the room he saw curtain. un-
dulatng slightly as If from the move
ment OF a person on the other side of
It.
''MeIeeseP' he called softly.
White and dripping with snow, his
face bloodless in rne tense excitement
OF tho moment, he stood with his rms
half reaching out when the curtain
was thrust aside and the girl stood be
fore him. At hrSt she did not recog-
nizs him in bis ghostly storm covered
disguise. But before the startled cry
that was on her lips found utterance
the fear that had blanched her face
gave place to n swift sweeping flood
of color For space there was no
word between them as they stood SEP
nrated by the breadth of the room.
Howlnnd with his arms held out {"
her In pleading silence. MeIeesc with
her hnnds clutched to her bosom. her
throat a-trembIe with strnnGe sobbinG
the futter!n= Of n birds wing
And Howland n lic cnme across the
room to her found no words to say
none of rhe things that he had meant
to whisper Ia her huI drew her &c
him and crushed her close To his |
brcnst. knowing that in this moment |
nothing could tell her moro eloquently |
than the throbbinE of his Own hear'. +!
the passionate pressure OF his face TO
her face, Of hts great love, which
seemed to stir into life the very 81
ienco that cncOmpusscd them.
It was silence brosen after mo
ment by u short choking cry, the quick
terror of face turned sud !
denly up to him robbed of It's flush |
and quivering with fear that still
found no voice in words. He felt the
girls arms straining aguinst him for
freedom. Her eyes were filed with n
staring, Questioning horror, as though
bis presence had grown into thing
Of which she was afraid. The change
NO 4 tomb "a him. FIilYfs VlnR what he 4