The Meeker herald., 1919-08-16
1.-The Zero
Hour
eo.a,ns.. 1919. :, Western s.vn.p.s u.,s..
By T. .. ANDERSON

ats positively spookyi" 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 sentient
appeal to his shelterIng protection.
THE lecturer is certainly a gifted
verbal window dresser" low voiced
Clement. what with magnetism
soul, concentration, hypnotism and
cIairvoyance. he promulgates some de-
cidedly stunning theories"
1t was an afternoon session Of
higher thought ladies' society Of
Brocton. Doris Ind met Clement on
her way to the lecture there to be de-
livered by an eminent so-cnIled tran
scendentalist. and had with little dif-
Hculty persuaded him to accompany
her. Honor" privilege" flushed md
throbbIng he had murmured. meaning
thnt she had awarded him the acme Of
human felicity.
The lecturer harped upon 'The Zero
Hour" as he designated the 90 min
utes between midnight and 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 sleeper was In suspense. the sub
tie influence Of suggestion or attrac-
ton could be most completely devel-
oped. Doris listened. caught by the
poesy and artistic illusions Of the
speaker. Clements mind was too fully
filled with consciousness Of the pres
ence OF his charming companion to
care for idealsm or theory.
ut was all 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 mnn related"
There's glorious sunset coming"
spoke Clement. as they neared Doris
home. "What view we could have
from Prospect Rock over on the river
bank" and to his delight and satlsfnc.
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. II 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 flrst blue bell Of
the season." and Clement, espying the
flower. clambered up rock. secured
It. and he slipped regainIng 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 fioweret
across his lips and handed It to Doris.
She flushed and qulvered as something
In his eyes told her that his long
restrained avowal Of love was about
to he expressed. There was an inter
ruption. Some 9.ri friends Of Doris
came into sight and then Joined her.
Clement kept BY her until they reached
home.
1.-THE moon comes up Erandly Mt half
past eight" he whispered to her. II
shall be Mt Prospect Rock watching for
it-and you"
Doris did not reply. but Clement
went away with a 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.
DUSTY. Nine o'clock-ten. He sat
against a rock dreaming Of Doris. now
he could not see her. and gradually
drlfted Into slumber.
Doris had debated hutteringiy with
herself as to whnt she had better do
about meeting Clement. She was uE.
decided. but WAS half inclined to go to
Prospect Rock. Two Of her girl
friends. however. had stayed to supper.
They did not go home until nine
o'clock Doris concluded that It WINS
too late to venture on a stroll alone.
Besides that Clement had probably
got tired Of waiting and had gone
home.
She did not go to her ROOM but re-
clIned In the hammock on the porch.
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.
1t was that mysterious Zero hour"
when Clement awOke. He aroused
with 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 her
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 10 feet to
the river below. At that moment
Clement noted that her eyes were
closed. Doris was walking In her
sleep! He sprang forward, caught her
In his arms and swung her away from
the lowering peril.