The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-03-26
"The Zero
Hour

It's positively spookyr 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 ut this sentient |
appeal to his sheltering protection.
The lecturer is certainly q gifted
verbal window dresser" low voiced |
soul, concentration, hypnotismA and
clairvoyanee, 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-
livered by an eminent so-called tran
scendentalist, and had with little diff
fculty persuaded him to accompany
her. Honor" privilege" flushed and
throbbing he had murmured. meaning
human felicity.
The lecturer harped upon The Zero
Hour" as he designated the 60 min
| utes between midnight and 1 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 In suspense, the sub
tie influence Of suggestion or attrac-
don 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 idealism or theory.
at was all very beautiful" said
Doris, as they walked homeward. but
/ don't believe win sleep q wink to-
night thinking of the ghostly stories
that man related"
There's a glorious sunset coming"
spoke Clement. as they neared Doris
home. "what a view we could have
from Prospect Rock over on the river
bank" and to his delight and satisfac-
i, tion 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 sheart was beating
wildly. II seemed an Though the su-
preme moment Of his Me had arrived
: and that he must give utterance to the
9 love thoughts that possessed him. BE
ed and cried out:
"Ohl there is the first blue bell of
the season." and Clement, espying the
o flower, clambered up q rock, secured
II, and he slipped regaining the ground
and was delighted ut the pretty little
q scream Of concern that issued from
IS Doris lips, betokening q gentle solici
i. tude that inspired him to daring and
hope. He pressed the little feweret
across his lips and handed 1t to Doris
SAe flushed and quivsred as something
in his eyes told her that his Ions
4 restrained avowal Of love was about
to be expressed. There was an inter
1t Yuption. Some girl friends Of Doris
9 came into sight and then Joined her
\ Clement kept by her until they reached
a hsns.
'sThe neea comes mp grandly at hal
past eight" he whispered to her. .
"a shall be at Prospect Rock watching 70
d it-and you"
r Doris did not reply. but Cemen
is went away with n hopeful heart. Al
eazly M seven O'Clock he was nc tn
trysting place. Eight o'clock came
VI half past. The moon came mp giori
ousiy. Nine o'clock-tsa. He 50
against O reek dreaming or Doris, nsy
- he could net see her, and gradual,
e 1xifted into slumber.
~ Doris had debated futteringiy Wit
herself a. to what she had better d
about meeting Clement. She was IN
decided, bot was half inclined to go {
rel Prospect Rock. Two Of her gii
friends, however, had stayed to supper
They did not &c home until min
O'Clock. Doris concluded that IL wa
ID tso late to venture on q stroll alone
y Besides that Clement had probabl
" rot tired Of waiting and had gon
er home.
NJ. She did not 20 10 her room. but n
b. cifned I'm the hammock On the porcl
" Her mind went ever the Incidents
the day and she closed her eyes thinl
Ing Of the Zero hour" lecture and hi
n weird address.
It was that nysterious Zero hour
m when Clement awoke- He arouse
m with a start. Coming toward hin
,m distinctly visible in the clear noeI
nght, was Doris directly whore she an
I'm Clenent had steed the afternoon pr
no xions Gheunnaaaf Canant saw h