Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-08-08
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CHAPTER XIV.
IN THE BEpRooM CHAMBER.

CHAPTER XIV.
IN THE BEDROOM CHAMBER.
N1LATTENING himself closely
II against the black logs Of the
SS wall, Rowland paused on the
platform at the top Of the
stairs. His cropping hand touched the
jam Of q door. and he held his breath
when his fingers incauhously ratified
the steel Of latch. In another mo-
ment he passed on three paces-four-
along the platform, at last sinking on
his knees in the snow close under the
window. His eyes searched the lighted
room an inch at time. He saw
section of wall at first dimly nlumi-
mated. then small table near the
window covered with books and maya
zines and beside 1t 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 q white bed A lit
tie more and he stopped. his white
face close to the window pane.
On the bed. facing him. sat Meleese.
Her chin was buried in the cup Of her
hands. and he noticed that she was in
a dressing gown ind that her beauti-
full hair was loosed and flowing In
glistening waves about her. as though
she had Just brushed 1t for the night
A movement. a slight shifting Of her
eyes. and she would have seen him.
he was filed with an almost master
ing impulse to press his face closer.
to tap on the window. to draw her
eyes to him. but even as his hand rose
to do the bidding Of that impulse
something 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 a mass Of cop
per and gold. From his distance he
still gazed at her. choking and unde-
cided. while she gathered 1t in three
heavy strands and plated It into a
shining braid.
For an instant his eyes wandered.
Beyond her presence the room was
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
Meleese's apartments at the post.
separated from all others. and Meleese
was preparing to retire for the night
If the outer door was not locked and
be 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.
BE 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 his presence and entered
Meleese was gone. Then ut the fur
end Of the room he saw curtain. un'
dulating slightly as If from the move
ment Of q person on the other side of
It.
"Meleeser he called softly.
White and dripping with snow. his
face bloodless in the tense excitement
of the moment, he stood with his arms
half reaching out when the curtain
was thrust aside and the girl stood be
fore him. At first she did not recog-
nize him in his 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 a swift sweeping food
Of color. For space there was no
word between them as they stood sep
arated by the breadth Of the room,
Howland with his arms held out to
her in pleading silence. Meleese with
her hands tlutched to her bosom. her
throat a-tremble with strange sobbing
notes that made no more sound than
the huttering Of birds wing.
And Rowland as he came across the
room to her found no words to say,
none Of the things that he had meant
to whisper to her. but drew her to
him and crushed her close to hi1
breast. knowing that In this moment
nothing could tell her more eloquently
than the throbbing of his own heart.
the passionate pressure Of his face to
her face. of his great love. which
seemed to stir into life the very 81
lence that encompassed them.
It was a silence broken after a mo-
ment by q short choking cry, the quick
breathing terror Of face turned sud
denly up to him robbed Of its flush
and quivering with a fear that still
found no voice in words. He felt the
girls arms straining against him Tor
freedom. Her eyes were filled with a
staring. questioning horror. as though
his presence had grown into a thing
of which she was afraid. The change
was tonic to him. This was what he