Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-04-01
suited.

Mighty Caesars Head, Kings noun
tain and Paris mountain were WASHED
clear of snow by the torrent The
wind skirled in leafiess boughs an(
branches. howled through ravines anC
gorges in mountainsides. and the floot
made the Saluda pick up its bed and
rush away even as did the man VIII,
lay Ill and was made well by mir
| acle.
The mountain roads were torn ant
ripped by the food. They gave up the
frost In them and the red clay was
turned to a series Of twisted ribbons
With the clatter OF dozen rapid
fire guns came low swung automo
bile with unusually heavy tires. high
mud guards and huge oil tank toward
the crest OF Paris mountain from the
west A screen Of mud and water half
obscured the driver. Big goggles bid
his eyes
On the top of the mountain. standing
In runabout type OF machine. a girl
waited. She had torn a racing mask
from her face. and 1t lay caked with
red clay on the drivers seat behind
her. Her abundant hair had fallen
from its fastenings. and the wind play
ed with IT as great cat would play
with loose hank Of golden yarn.
The onrushing motor made the crest
OF the mountain with a heavy lurcb
OF great beast In attack. came to a
stop and shivered. sending 6ecks Of
mud shooting to right and left as the
driver pulled himself from the wheel
seat
Molly Bryan lifted her right hand
high in the air in the unconscious ga
lutte OF ancient times.
Stripping himself Of great coat and
goggles and tossing them into his ma
chine. John Nelson hurried to her.
II saw you when yon started down
CLASSY mountain" she said Her face
was pale. IL did not know whether
yon would make II safely" Her left
hand went to her heart
His beard was splashed with clay.
In his eyes was the effulgence Of the
stars. He had come. perilously cours-
ing up and down the mountains. to
ask her aid in buying Christmas gifts.
in the shops OF the little city nesting
below them, for the little children OF
the poor in the Dark Corner He was
the unconscious instrument of one Of
fhe bea titudes. BLESSED are the poor"
with him, be its mistress, bring to II
the subtle fragrance and sweetness
which she alone possessed. In winter.
and in times of storm, her smile would
fill his home with a radiance sweeter
and more blessed than the sunshine OF
spring
She would come tiptoeing to the door
as be worked with his machinery. She
would look in and he would stop at his
task long enough to welcome her and
10 sip OF the sweetness of her lips and
feel the warmth Of her love as her
arms clasped his neck. He sank into
her chair and picked up the handker-
chief. Il filmy bit OF linen, pressing it to
his lips.
Ten O'Clock passed and IL struck as
he sat in silent and happy dreaming.
Suddenly the handkerchief dropped
from his hands and his face showed
white as sheet Of paper in the light
Of his students lamp.
He had heard some one moving out
side the house There had been the
crackle of frozen snow.
His three black servants were far off
in their cottage for the night Who
was this marauder?
Again came the sound. Some one
was surely walking beneath his win
dows
Nelson dropped to his hands and
knees, crept to the wall and turned an
electric switch. plunging the house in
darkness from cellar to attic.
Against the many windows OF his
castle showed the snow laden boughs
OF the trees in glow that came from
the reflection of the white pail cover
ing the earth.
He felt for bis wallet which held
the money he was to use In the event
of flight becoming necessary It was
his desk. He opened a drawer softly.
In his right hand showed the dark
outline of blue steeled revolver. His
dreams OF love had vanished He was
again the escaped convict making
fight for the liberty be had stolen.
The snow was not deep enough To
impede his motor. He hurried 10 the
secret entrance TO his garage. opened
the masked door and stood waiting NJ
the head of flight Of narrow stairs