The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-08-21
The Zero
Hour T..
y :. ,. ALDE =

~ tn. ALD1RSoN
Copyright. 1sls. ~ Western Nsvssapse uaisal
Its positively spooky!" whispered
Doris Verne into the ear Of her escort
and would be lover, Clement Hastings,
and she pressed closer to him and he
was proud and thrilled at this senuent
appeal to his sheltering protection.
''The lecturer is certainly q gifted
verbal window dresser" low voiced
Clement. "What with magnetism,
soul, concentration, hypnotism and
clairvoyance, he promulgates some de-
cidedly stunning theories"
It was an afternoon session Of q
higher thought ladies' society Of
Brocton. Doris had met Clement on
her way to the lecture there to be de-
uvered by an eminent so.called tran
scendentalist, and had with little dit
hculty persuaded him to accompany
her. Honor" privilege" flushed and
throbhing he had murmured, meaning
that she had awarded him the acme Of
human felicity.
The lecturer harped upon The Zero
Hour" as he designated the 60 min
utes between midnight and l o'clock
in the morning. According to him
when the world was asleep the occult
was presented under the most favor
ing conditions. Then roamed disem-
bodied spirits. Then, while the soul
Of a sleeper was i'd suspense, the sub
tie influence Of suggestion or attrac-
ton could b most completely devel-
oped. Doris listened, caught BY the
poesy and artistic illusions Of the
speaker. Clements mind was too fully
Allied with consciousness Of the pres
ence Of his charming companion to
care for ,idealism or theory. >|
IT was al very beautiful" said
Doris, as they walked homeward, but
I don't believe I will sleep a wink to
night thinking of the ghostly stories
that man related"
"There's q glorious sunset coming"
spoke Clement, ~ they neared Doris
home. 'What a view we could have
from Prospect Rock over on the river
bank" and to his delight and satisfac
ton Doris made no demur as they
strolled In that direction. They stood
gazing at the magnificent panorama
OF hill, meadow and stream and at the
beautiful changing hues Of the even
tide sky. Clements heart was beating
wildly. It seemed as though the su-
preme moment of his life had arrived
and that he must give utterance to the
love thoughts that possessed him. He
was about to speak when Doris point.
ed and cried out:
"Oh! there is the first blue bell Of
the season." and Clement, espying the
flower, clambered up rock, secured
it, and he slipped regainingt the ground,
and was delighted at the pretty little
scream Of concern that issued from
Doris lips, betokening a gentle solici-
tude that inspired him to daring and
hope. He pressed the little foweret
across his lips and handed 1t to Doris.
She flushed and quivered as something
In his eyes told her that his long
restrained avowal Of love was about
to be expressed. There was an inter-
ruption. Some girl friends Of Doris
came into sight and then Joined her.
Clement kept by her until they reached
home.
1.-THE moon comes up grandly at half
past eight" he whispered to her, II
shall be at Prospect Rock watching for
it-and you"
Doris did not reply, but Clement
went away with hopeful heart. As
early as seven O'clock he was at the
trusting place. Eight o'clock came.
half past. The moon came up glori-
ously. Nine o'clock-ten. He sat
against rock dreaming Of Doris, now
he could not see her. and gradually
drifted into slumber.
Doris had debated flutteringly with
herself as to what she had better do
about meeting Clement. She was un.
decided, but was half inclined to 60 to
Prospect Rock. Two Of her girl
friends, however, had stayed to supper.
"l1ey Ola not 20 uOme uulH lille
O'Clock. Doris concluded that it was
too late to venture on stroll alone
Besides that Clement had probably
rot tired Of waiting and had gone
home. 49, ts 49, .d& ~.
She did not 60 to her roon tot re
clined In the hammock on thHorch
Her mind went over the Incidents Of
the day and she closed her eyes think
Ing Of the aero hour" lecture and his
weird address. .s~.- ....,.-.-...s.s s.-..,
It was that mysterious Zero hour
when Clement awoke. He aroused
with a start Coming toward him
distinctly visible in the clear moon
light, was Doris directly where she and
Clement had stood the afternoon pre-
vious. She paused. Clement saw hel
take from her belt the blue bell flower
She pressed 1t to her lips, she turned
dangerously near to the edge OF the
rock, which ran sheer 80 feet t.
the river below. At that momen
Clement noted that her eyes were