The Arvada enterprise., 1911-03-09
~ kkzSl
coernronr 1903 y -

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
their presepce there. making a COM
trante. He laid the message on the
floor.
On second thought, he picked II up
again and put 1t in his pocket. for II
by any chance they should be rescued.
he might forget It, In that event It's
discovery would possibly bring an ex-
posure OF facts which the girl and her
father would not care to have dis
closed
A 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
it was too late for him, yet not too
late. If he did not hurry his own end.
And II she truly loved him and knew
that she loved him. such an act on his
part would leave her terrible grief
which time would harly cure.
|
more clearly, to throw new light on his
duty. The clerks must all have gone
by now. There would be visit or two
from night watchman, perhaps. but
there was scarcely one chance In I
hundred that he would unbolt tn,
door.
The air was vitiating rapidly; the!
could not both live through the night
Buff she loved him as he loved her
she would be happier to die with hin
than to live at the cost OF his life.
He pictured for himself again tina
last look OF her face; It's beauty, it'
strength. Its sweet sympathy. Ht
seemed to see the stray wisp OF hall
that had found It's way down upon hel
cheek. Her perfect lips-how well he
remembered! were the unopened
buds of pure womanly passion.
After all. whether she loved him OF
not, there would still be much in life
| for her.
Time would cure her sorrow. There
would be many claims upon her, and
she would sooner or later resume her
normal activities.
Slowly he disengaged his hand from
her clinging fingers. In his other hand
he still held his pocketknife. To open
vein in his wrist would take but n
moment. His life would well away
there on the tiles.
She would think he was asleep; and
| ha ItIf lpt 4,
unconsciousness which would be bro
ken only after the door was opened In
the morning.
BAH His mind cleared In fash
What a fool he was Need he doubt
her for an instant? Need he question
what she would do when she found
that he was dead? And she would
know. It quickly. This living pulsing
girl beside him loved HIM
They were one forever. They stIll
lived, and while they lived they must
hope. And If hope failed. there still
would be love.
His pent-up emotions broke restraint
With unthiDking swiftness, he threw
his arm over her and drew her tight Ia
him. His lips found hers In long
klss-clung In ecstasy for another. and
another.
Her arms went about his neck. lie
felt as though her soul had passed from
her lips to his own.
MY lover!" she whispered. 81 think
have always cared"
"Oh, Girl. Girl" He could utter no
| more.
with faint sigh she said: 81 am
glad It Is TO be together" She sat up,
still holding his hand. III It need be
at all. she added. a new 1rmness In
her voice,
III II need be at ALL" Orme searched
| his mind again for some promise OF es-
cape from this prison which had been
80 suddenly glorihed for them The
smooth, unbreakable walls; the thin
seam Of the door; the thermometer.
Why had he not thought OF II before 4?
| The thermometer
with an exclamation. he leaped to
/