The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1921-01-17
''The Zero
Hour
Copyright. 1919. by Western Newspaper Union
BY T. B. ANDERSON

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
clairvoyance, he promulgates some de-
cidedly stunning theories"
1t 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.
hculty persuaded him to accompany
her. Honor" privilege" flushed and
throbbing he had murmured, meaning
that she had awarded him the acme of
human felicity.
The lecturer harped upon 1.-THE Zero
Hour" as he designated the 60 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 olsen,
bodied spirits. Then, while the soul
OF sleeper was in suspense, the sub
tie Influence of suggestion or attrac-
Non could be most completely devel,
oped. Doris listened. caught by the
poeSy and artistic illusions of the
speaker. Clements mind was too fully
fllled with consciousness of the pres
ence of his charming companion to
care for idealism or theory.
ut was all very beautiful" said
Doris as they walked homeward, but
l don't believe l will sleep a wink to-
night thinking of the ghostly stories
that H,Hn related"
"FhNre's a 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 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 1t seemed as though the SUI
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 a 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 solicit
tude that inspired him to daring and
hope. He pressed the little floweret
across his lips and handed il 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, 81
shall he 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
trysting place. Eight O'Clock came
half past. The moon came up glori
ouSly. Nine o'clock-ten. He ga,
against a rock dreaming of Doris. nov
he could not see her. and gradually
drlfted into siumber.
Doris had debated flutteringly with
herself as to what she had better d.
about meeting Clement. She was I'm
decided, but was half inclined to go II
Prospect Rock. Two of her cir
friends. however had stayed to supper
They did not go home until min,
o'clock. Doriss concluded that 1t wa.
too late to venture on a stroll alone
Besides that Clement had probabl!
got tired of waiting and had gon'
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 thin';
ing of the Zero hour" lecture and his
weird address,
1t was that mysterious Zero, hour
when Clement aWoke He aroused
with q start. Coming toward him
distinctly visible in the clear moon
light, was Doris directly where she anC
Clement had stood the afternoon pre-
vious. She paused. Clement saw hel
take from her belt the blue bell flower
She pressed it to her lips. she turned
rock. which ran sheer 30 feet II
the river below. At that momen
Clement noted that her eyes were
closed. Doris was walking In hel
sleep! He sprang forward, caught hel
in his arms and swung her away from
the lowering peril.
Doris awoke with wild, affrighteC
cry, to listen amazed to the recital Of
Clement. He had released her from
his clasp. but stood near to her still
his eyes aglow telling the story of his
emotion.
"rhe occult influence the Zero
hour" said Doris with a slight laugh
81 went to sleep thinking all about
h. Z,