Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-06-20
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"1'Il drop In and have a cup of tea"
he assured himself.

He stopped and turned his eyes again
INTO the north. He wondered as he still
stood gazing into the infinity Of that
other world beyond the Saskatchewan
II romance was really quite dead in
him. Always he had laughed at ro-
nance. Work-the grim reality Of ac-
ton. Of brain fighting brain, of clever
ness pitted against other mems clever
ness-had almost brought him to the
point Of regarding romance In life as a
peculiar illusion Of fools-and women.
But he was fair in his concessions. and
tonight he acknowledged that he bad
enjoyed the romance Of what he had
seen and heard. And, most Of all, bis
blood had been stirred by the beauti-
full face that had looked at him from
out of the night.
he passed through the low door Of
the restaurant and entered a large
room filed with tables and chairs and
pregnant with strange odors.
"a pot of tea." ordered Rowland.
He slipped his tea leisurely. listening
with all the eagerness Vt the new
sense Of freedom which had taken pos
session of him. The Chlnaman had
scarcely disappeared when he heard
footsteps on the stair. In another in
slant low word Of surprise almost
leaped from his lips. Hesitating for
moment In the doorway. her face
staring straight into his own, was the
girl whom be had seen through the
hotel window.
For perhaps no more than FIVE Sec
onds their eyes met. Yet In that time
there was painted on his memory a
picture that Howland knew he would
never forget. His was nature be-
cause Of the ambition imposed on 1t
that had never taken more than a
casual interest in the form and fea-
ture of women. He bad looked on
beautiful faces and had admired them
In a cool. dispassIonate way. Judging
them, when he judged at all. as be
might have judged the more material
workmanship of his own hands. But
this face that was framed for few
brief moments in the door reached out
to him and stirred an interest within
him which was as new as 1t was
pleasurable. It was beautiful face.
he knew that in fraction OF the first
second.
The girl turned from his gaze and
seated herself at table so that he
caught only her profile. The change
delighted him. From the flush In her
rheeks his eyes Travelled critically to
The rich glow of the light in her shin
Ing brown hair. which swept half over
her ears In thick. soft waves. caught
In a heavy coil low on her neck
Then for the first time he noticed her
dress. It puzzled him. Her turban
and muff were Of deep gray lynx fur
Around her shoulders was collarette
IF the same material. Her hands were
Immediately gloved. In every fea-
ture Of her lovely face. In every point
of her dress, she bore the indisputable
mark of refinement. The quizzical
smile left his lips. The thoughts
which at first had filed his mind as
quickly disappeared. Who was she'
Why was she here?
With catlike quietness the young
Chinaman entered between the screens
and stood beside her. On small tab
let which Howland bad not before OBJ
up my mind to see you at the hotel
but when | got there l was afraid to
90 In. Then saw you In the window
After little you came out and saw
you enter here. l didn't know what
kind OF place 1t was and followed
you. Won't you please go with me to
where / am staying. and will tell
you
I She left the sentence unfinished. her
eyes pleading with him. Without a
word ne rose and seized his hat.
II will go, Miss he laughed
frankly into her face. inviting her to
write her name. For moment she
smiled back at him. the color bright
ening her cheeks Then she turned
and hurried down the stair.
Outside Howland gave her bis arm
TITS a glorious night| be exclaimed.
The girl nodded. and smiled up at
him. Her face was very near to bis
shoulder, ever more beautiful In the
white light of the stars.
They did not look behind them. Mel
ther heard the quiet fall Of moccasined
feet dozen yards away. Neither saw
the cleaning eyes and the thin, dark
face of Jean Croisset the half-breed.
as they walked swiftly In the direc'
ton Of the Saskatchewan.