Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-06-20

continued my upward journey. Far
above ioomed the gray towers of the
castle, and suddenly from the high
window CLEANED o light How often
l had watched for this light at even
ing, sitting before our narrow cottage
doorl And when it shoDe out a sifvery
patch acros the sea 1t came to me as
a silent message from her.
at Is thus | bid you good night, Paul."
she had said. l smiled grimly that
the recollection of her pretty fancies
still had power to stir my heart. Aud
what q strange trick was this which
fate had piayedl After all the years
Of silence and separation to meet Bob
upon a train and to recognize In the
distinguished physician my boyhood's
old time friend. Bob himself was
overjoyed at the meeting.
"You have evidently been prosper
ous, Paul." he said. with an inclusive
glance which rested approvingly upon
my belongings and my person.
Eyes, l answered briefly II have
been fortunate, and your
Bobis face sobered.
"As far as money goes I am not
quite sure,r be replied. But l am do
ing good where 1t is sorely needed"
He smiled. Il an physician IN charge
to your old friends Of the village.
Paul.
"Married?s I questioned CURLY.
Bob's laugh rang out "Why. no."
he replied. II have been too busy To
think of marriage"
l cleared my throat. Strange bow
difficult 1t was to mention her name.
"And HeIois.. 1 asked--"Helots and
her husband live with your"
Bob hooked at me quickly. ais 1t
possible that you have not heard?" he
said. @They are both dead. The old
man didn't live long. and Helois died
q year after you went away"
1t was a long time before either of
Us spoke.
"Paul" Bob said impulsively. why
can you not stop off at Bellaire upon
your return and pay me a visit? II
would do me a world of good. old man.
SO this twilight walk Of mine was the
outcome Of his hearty invitation.
1t was all so exactly as | had left 1t
one and twenty years ago-the low
ceiled hall with its great fireplace, even
the CHEEKY faces of the old housekeep-
er and her husband, whom time had
touched so lightly, while Bob. with his
seemed still the happy hearted boy.
1t was drawing lear the hour of mid
night when the telephone summoned
Bob TO his study, and he came back to
say that he was needed Immediately In
the Village.
II am sorry he added regretfully.
~but Martha will make you comfortable
and you will find plenty of books and
cigars up in the old panel room"
The old panel room. This was where
we had spent 5 many happy evenings
togetheSA and |. With conflicting
feeliess. I made my way up the oaken
stair. Freight fickered rosily upon
the Ginning panels. and at the farther
end of the room a softly shaded lamp
threw its radiance about the reading
table, leaving all else In shadow. As
my ayes became accustomed to the dim
light l was s%tartllngly aware of the
distinct outlines of a woman's white
clad figure showing against the vain.
scoting. For a moment my heart ham
mered away in foolish fear; then fea.
ture by feature. line by line, the vision
revealed itself. 1t was a painted por
trait of Helois. a life sized, perfect
portrait, fitted cunningly into a single
high carved panel. l examined it close
ly. Her wonderful dusky hair was
knotted loosely at the back Of her
shapely head. and in its soft waves
nestled a rose.
So the past came back to me poign-
antly, with a reality so great, so true.
that | held my arms out to her and
spoke her name. Then as she brood
ed over me. calm and pitiful, l called
again. "Heiois.y l cried. "Helois," and
l declare to you l did not sleep or
dream. Neither had my morbid imag-
inings imposed upon my What
happened Is a fact-an indisputable
fact As though in answer to my
yearnfng call. the tall picture swayed
uncertainty toward me; then with
charming difldence Helois herself
stepped from the oaken frame and
stood before my very eyes. l fear
ed to speak, almost to breathe lest
she should vanish from me.
Dear" / said brokenly-"dear, l
have loved you always. but v SO
much as now" Helois drew back
against the panel with a stifed sob,
and there was that In her eyes which
l had never seen there before. AS |
sat helpless she glided with an almost
l~mperceptible movement into that pic
tured inanimate thing which hung
upon the wall. Dazedly l pressed my
hands against the canvas, then care
fully searched each corner Of the room.
The key was still turned In the lock as
/ had left It. and the hallway, when !
l1oIro7 os1< moe r,7ffa 1acarfod ThoO