Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-18
CHAPTER
Realization

TINhE JOY In Beatrlces eyes gave way to
l. poignant wonder as she gazed on him.
Could this be he?
Yes, we'll she knew It was She recog-
nlzed him even through the. grotesuuery of
his clinging rags, even behind the mask
OF long, red. dusty beard and formidable
mustache even despite the wild and staring
ncoherence OF his whole expression.
Yet how incredible the metamorphosis !
To her flashed memory of this man, her
other-time employer-keen and smooth
shaven, alert, we'll dressed, self centered
dominant, the master of hundred complex
problems. the directing mind Of engineering
works innumerable.
Faltering and uncertain now he stood
there. Then, at the sound of the girls
voice, he staggered toward her with out
flung hands. He stopped, and for moment
stared at her.
For he had had no time as yet 20 correlRte
his thoughts. to pull himself together.
And while ones heart might throb ten
times. Beatrice saw terror in his blinking,
bloodshot eyes.
But almost at onco the engineer mastered
himself. Even as Beatrice watched him.
breathlessly, from the door, she saw his fear
die out she saw his courage well up fresh
and strong.
II was almost as though something
tangible were thinning the mans soul upon
his face. She thrilled at sight of him.
And though for a long moment no word
stood looking at each other like two chill
dren in some dread and unfamiliar attic, an
understanding lenped between them.
Then, womanlike, instInctively as she
breathed. the girl ran to him. Forgetful OF
every convention and OF her disarray. she
seized his hand. And in voice that
trembled till 1t broke she cried.
What is it? What does all this mean?
Tell mer'
To him she clung.
Tell me the truth-and save mel Is IL
real?"
Stern looked at ,her wonderingly. He
smiled n strange, wan mirthless smile.
All about him he looked. Then his lips
moved, but for the moment no sound came
He made another effort, this time sue
cessful.
"There, there" said he huslSly. as though
the dust and dryness OF the innumerable
years had got into his very voice. There.
now, don't be afraid!
Something seems to have taken place
here whlle-we've been asleep. What?
What is it2 I don't know yet I'll fnd out.
There's nothing to be alarmed about, at
aEy rate"
"But-lookF' She pointed at the hidsous
desolation.
'Yes, / see. But no matter. You're
alive. I'm alive. That's two OF us. any
how. Maybe there are lot moro. Well
soon see. Whatever II may be, we'l win"
He turned and, trailing rags and stream
ers OF rotten cloth that once had been a
business suit, he waded through the con-
fusion Of wreckage on the floor to the
window.
II you have seen a weatherbeaten scare
crow Tapping in the wind. you have some
notion Of his outward guise. No tramp
you ever laid eyes on could have offered so
preposterous an appearance.
Down over his shoulders fell tho matted.
h..G. ITI g,
below his waist. Even his eyebrows,
naturally rather light. had grown TO a
heavy thatch above his eyes.
Save that he was not gray or bent. and
that he still seemed 10 have kept the
resilient force OF vigorous manhood, you
might have thought him some incredibly
ancient Rip Van WinlSle come TO life upon
that singular stage, there in the tower.
But little time gave he to intTospection
or the matter OF his own appearance. With
one quick gesture he swept away the shroud-
ing tangls OF webs, spiders and dead flies
that obscured the window. Out he peered.
Good heavensl" cried he, and started
back a pace.
She ran to him.
What is it7' she breAthlsssly exclaimed
''Why. / don't knoW-yet But this Is
something biEl Something universall It's
it's-ng no. you'd better not look Out-not
just yet"
'I must know everything. Let me seer
Now she was at his side. and, like him.
staring out into the clear sunshine, out over
the vast expRnses OF the city.
A moments utter silence fell. Quite
clearly hummed the protest bf an imprlson-
ed fly in a web at the top OF the window
The breathing OF tho man and woman
sounded quick and loud.
'All wrecksd2" cried Beatrice. 'But-
then"
''Wrecked7 II looks that way" the en-.
gineer made answer, with a strong Atfort
holding his emotions in control. why not
be frank about this7 You'd better make
up your mind at once to accept the very
worst see no signs OF anything. else"
THE worst7 You mean"
Il mean just what we sec out thsra You
can interpret II as well as l."
Again the silence while they looked. with
emotions that could hnd no voicinK in
words Instinctively the engineer nassad |
an arm about the frightened girl ana drew
her close to him.
"And the last thing remsmbsr.~
she, was just-just after you'd |
finished debating those Taunton BLDG |
specifications ! suddenly felton,. n |
sleepy Only for 4 minute I thought IA |
close my eyes and rest, and thsn--then-s |
'@rhisF
She nodded
same here" said he what the deuos |
can have struck us7 Us ana everybody-s /
and eyerything7 Talk about your prob |
Iems Lucky I'm sans and sound. and
Hs did not nnlsa. but Zen once more 70
studyins tha inoolapreheasibla prospect I