The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-12-12
CHAPTER XIV.
IN THE BEDROOM CHAMBER

~ 1LATTENING himself closely
against the black logs of the
- wall. Rowland paused OH the
8S platform at the top of the
stairs His cropping hand touched the
jam of a door. and he held his breath
when his fingers incautiously 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 ilumi
mated. then small table near the
window covered with books and maga-
zines and beside it reclining chair
buried thick under a great white hear
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.
i On the bed. facing him. sat Me'eese.
Her chin was buried in the cup of her
hands. and he noticed that she was in
a dressing gown and that her beauti-
full hair was loosed and flowing in
giistening waves about her. as though
she had just brushed 1t for the night.
A movement. 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 OH 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 n
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 undo
cided, while she gathered it in three
| heavy strands and plated It into a
4 shining braid.
For an instant his eyes wandered
i Beyond her presence the room wa:
! empty. He saw a door and observed
! that ii opened into another room
: which in turn could be entered through
/ the platform door behind him. Will
! his old exactness for detail he leapet
/ to definite conclusion These wer'
1 Meleese's apartments at the post
-o,o.o fr,,,, al n+horc ,nA NpipES
was preparing to retire for the night
If the outer door was not lMkcd an'
he entered. what danger could ther
be of interruption? 1t was late. tn
post was asleep. He had seen no iisll
but that in the window through whic
he was staring.
I The thought was scarcely born Dt
/ fore he was at the platform door Tn
{ latch clicked gently under his tinger'
! Cautiously he pushed the door inwar
1 and thrust in his head and shoulder
i He was in narrow corridor. Ahea
Il of him there shone a thin ray Ut ligl
= from under the door that opened mi
II Meleese's room. Nerving himself K
II the last move. he went boldly to tt
4 door. knocked lightly TO give sou
II warning Of his presence and pntere
4, Meleese was gone Then ut the II
end of the room he saw curtain. III
dulating slightly as if fr0m lie mnv
ment of person on the other side I
it.
81 "MeIeeser he called softly.