The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-02-04
NE ate faithIess-ths womsa j Ed.

sun Auleus uHou past meIl0fie8ssk
continued my upward Journey. Far
above loomed the gray towers OF the.
castle, and suddenly from the high
window cleaned a light. How often
had watched for this light at even
ing, sitting before our narrow cottage
door! And when It sheBe out silyery.
patch across the sen It came to me as
a silent message from her. fs
'Itis thus bid you good night, Paul"
she had said. ] smiled grimly that
the recollection OF her pretty fancies
still had power TO stlrSny heart. And
what a strange trick was this which
fate had played! After all the years
of silence and separation to meet Bob
upon a train and 70 recognize ID the
distinguished physician my boylood's
old time friend. Bob himselfp was
overjoyed at the meeting.
"You have evidently been prosper
Gus, Paul." he said. with an inclusive
glance which rested appravinglye upon
my belongings and my person.
Eyes" / answered briefly. "Iehave
been fortunate. and your II
Bob's face sobered. go f
Gas far as money goes Il am mot
quite sure" he replied. "But:I am.do-
ing good where It is sorely needed. .
He smiled. Il am physician in, charge
to your old friends OF the village.
Paul"
"MarriedT' questioned. CURLY.
Bob's laugh rang out why. mo. !"
he replied. II have beenltoo busy to
think of marriage"
cleared my throat. Strange show
difficult 1t was to mention her name.
"And HeIois.1 asked "Helois and
her husband live with you?'
Bob looked at me quickly. Els, it
possible that YOU have not heard ?''fhe
said. They are both dead. The old
man didn't live long. and HeIois tdied
a year after you went away
1t was a long time befores efther of
US spoke.
paul" Bob said impulsively, "why
can you not stop offrat BeIlaire upon
your return and pay me visit2 1t
would do me world.of good, old man"
So this twilight walk of mine wasthe
outcome of his artySinvitation.
1t was all SO exactlySas l had left it
one and twenty years ago-the low
ceiled hall with its gremttfireplace, even
the CHEEKY faces OF the ,old housekeep.
er and her husband, whom time had
touched so lightly, while Bob. with his
tFynrs mn Mi
seemed still the happy hearted Nboy.
1t was drawing near the houriof mid.
night when the telephone summoned
Bob TO his study. and he came iback to
say that he was needed Immediately In
the village.
II am sorry" he added regretfuliy.
"butMartha 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 so many happy evenings
together, she and /. With conflicting
feelings, made my way up the -oaken
stair. freight lickered rosilY upon
the shining panels ana ut. the further
end of the room a softly shaded lamp
threw its radiance about the reading
table, leaving all else In shadow. AS
my eyes became accustomed to the dim
light l was startlingly aware of the
distinct outlines OF a swomans white
clad figure showing against the VAIN
scoting. For n 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 cunnhlgly into a single
high carved panel examined it close.
ly. Her wonderful dusky hair was
knotted loosely at the back Of her
-shapely head. and in its soft waves
nestled rose.
So the paSt came back to me poign-
antly. with reality so great, so true,
that held my aims out to her and
spoke her name. Then as she brood
ed over me. calm and pitiful, called
again. "Helois," cried. "Helois," and
declare to you did not sleep or
dream. Neither had my morbid imag-
inings imposed upon my reason. What
happened is a fact-an indisputable
fact. AS though in answer to my
yearning call, the tall picture swayed
uncertainty toward me; then with
charming difldcnce Helois herself
stepped from the oaken frame and
stood before my very eyes. j fear
ed to speak. almost to breathe, lest
she should vanish from me.
Dear" said brokenly-''dear, l
have loved You always, but never so
much as now" Helols drew back
against the panel with stified sob.
and there was that In her eyes which
1 had never seen there before. AS /
sat helpless she gllded with au almost
imperceptible movement into that pic
tured inanimate thing which hung
upon the wall. Dazedly pressed my
hands against the canvas, then care.
fully searched each corner Of thereon.
The key was still turned in the lock as
had left 1t, and the hallway, when l
looked out. was quite deserted. Then
as stood utterly bewildered some
thing upon the floor at my feet at
4rapfad NV attnntion-ft xvae a frash