The Columbus journal., 1911-04-19
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BANNICIER MFRWN
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RAY WALTER r


I've seen blind men tell the time b
feeling the dial"
His watch was an old hunting-cas
which had belonged to his father. H
opened 1t and cracked the crystal wit
his pocketknife. As nearly as he coul
determine by the sense Of touch 1t wa
seven O'Clock. Bessie Wallinghar
would be wondering by this time VII
he had broken an engagement with he
for the second time that day.
There Is one thing more to do" b
said. 1t is seven O'Clock: I don't know
how much longer We shall be able 4
breathe easily. and am going to writ
a note which will explain matters t
the persons who find us-if We shoul,
not happen to be able to tell them"
Labcriously he penciled on the bacl
Of an old envelope the explanation o
their presence there. making a cor,
plete and careful charge against Alca
trante. He laid the message on th'
floor.
On second thought. he picked It VI
again and put 1t in his pocket. for Il
by any chance they should be rescued
he might forget 1t. In that event 1t:
discovery would possibly bring an ex
posure Of facts which the girl and hel
father would not care to have dis
closed.
A faint whisper from the girl.
To- fS h4
tenderly for her answer
You must lie down, too"
He began to move away. as II to
obey her.
NO" she whispered-"here. I 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 it 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. II he did not hurry his own end.
And if she truly loved him and knew
that she loved him. such an act ON his
part would leave her a terrible grief
which time would harly cure.
He tried to analyze their situation
more clearly. to throw new light on his
duty. The clerks must all have gone
by now. There would be a visit or two
from a night watchman, perhaps, but
there was scarcely one chance in a
that he would unbolt the
door.
The air was vitiating rapidly: they
could not both live through the night.
Buff she loved him as he loved her,
she would be happier to die with him
than to live at the cost of his life.
He pictured for himself again that
last look Of her face: its beauty. its
strength. its sweet sympathy. He
seemed to see the stray wisp of hair
hat had found its way down upon her
cheek. Her perfect lips-how well he
the unopened
buds Of pure wOn1anly passion.
After all. whether she loved him or
not, there would still be much In life
or her.
Time would cure her sorrow. There !
would be many claims upon her. and |
'he would sooner Or later resume her |
formal activities.
Slowly he disengaged his hand from |
Ter clinging fingers. In his other hand |
le still held his pocketknife To open |
/ vein in his wrist would take but a
His life would we'll away,
here on the tiles.
She would think he was asleep: and /
hen she herself would drift away into
which would be bro
ten only after the door was opened in
he morning.
Bah: His mind cleared In a flash.
What a fool he was, Need he doubt
er for an instant? Need he question
rhat she would do when she found
hat he was dead: And she would
now it quickly. This living pulsing
irl beside him loved him,
They were one forever. They still
wed, and while they lived they must
ope. And II hope failed. there still
;Ould be love.
His pent-up emotions broke restraint.
With unthinking swiftness. he threw
is arm over her and drew her tight TO
i'm. His lips found hers in a long
in ecstasy for another. and
mother.
Her arms went about his neck. He
1T as though her soul had passed from
er lips to his own.
My lover!" she whispered. Il think
have always cared"
"Oh. Girl, Girl" lie could utter no
lore.
With a faint sigh she said: II am
lad it is to be together" She sat I'M.
ill holding his hand. "if IT need be ,
/ ALL" she added. a new firmness In ,
pr voice.
If it need be at ALL" Orme searched ,
IS mind again for some promise of es-
.pe from this prison which had been
, suddenly glorified for them. The
noOth. unbreakable walls: the thin
am of the door: the thermometer.
-hy had he not thought of it beforeo
he thermometer.
With an exclamation. he leaned In
s feet
What is it," she cried.
"A chance. A small chance-but
i'll a chance"
He found his way to the handle Of =.
.e door. which his first attempt at
;cape had taught him was not con- .,
.cted with the outer knob. Then be