The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-16

and they are doing it.
 Mrs. Chester, saying: T have changed my room" But she did not give me the number.
 scribbled few lines to Theo just to let him know that 1 wa going to bed and to sleep and that l did not want to be disturbed with telephone call
 "Will explain in the morning. dear. But now, just good night. Virgie,a
 When I entered my room my first thought was that l had made a mis- take. It looked so changed. Then l realized that the divan that had been across doorway leading into the next room had been placed in win dow recess.
 T like the arrangement better"
 remarked aloud as 1 crossed and
 tried the handle of the door. l found 1t was locked on the other side. With quick catch of my breath. pushed the bolt on my side Into place. a lit- tie frightened at the thought of what
 might have happened if l had not noticed that the door was unlocked. q wish | had asked Mrs. Chester to see if she could get that room," I thought Then I chided myself for
 my foolish fears.
 I do not know how long had been asleep, when I wakened abruptly In
 cold precipitation and with every l faculty alert.
 l Someone was trying the knob of l the door I had bolted. Hastily 1 pulled on the light at the top of my bed and to my horror I saw the knob turning and felt, rather than heard, someone push against 1t heavily but | silently To my infinite relief, the i bolt held but when the weight against 1t was removed the fastener creaked as though weakened. Will l 1t withstand another assault?" I asked myself, frozen with fear. wondered If I would have cour- | age enough to cross the room to the | telephone. but even at the thought covered down farther beneath the | bed clothes.
 l Presently I heard the knob turned l again. Summoning my courage, l raised up in bed. watching the door, | fascinated by fear. I heard profane explosives spoken under breath. I did not know what to do. One moment was determined to call the office, and the next moment 1t came to me that if I did the man on the other side would probably insist that L had been dreaming. I almost gained courage enough to
 speak and then another and little
 louder burst. of profanity made me hesitate.
 Again great force seemed to be used against the door without so much care to make 1t noiseless, Slowly I pushed away the covers and swung my feet to the thickly carpeted floor Softly I crept toward the turning knob. I intended to whispe but instead in my fright. my voice came so loud that it frightened me. 'Who is there? What do you want?" I de- manded.
 "Hushl Hush. Raby-child" My knees weakened and I sank to the floor, speeches.. A cold shudder ran over me, and then I felt my stiff fening lips almost smiling as thought: How silly to be frightened of Theo. He probably was worried about me and was peeping In to see if l was asleep. And then another thought assailed me. How did he know that this room was mine? Why had the heavy divan been taken from across the. doorway and why had my side of the door been left un- locked?
 tried to get up and crawl back to bed. I determined not to speak to him again under any circumstances. I coul dnot get to my feet, was so horror stricken, and yet was not sure that I had any reason to be afraid.
 ''Virgie. 1t Is Theo. Open the door. Don't you understand, virgie? Let me in" And he rattled the door knob so loudly I was afraid someone else would hear him.
 What do you want, Theo? I left card saying did not wish to be disturbed"
 Why. Baby -child. want to come in l haven't seen you all day. have been worried about you. How could you go away and leave me this way? Let me i'm
 "Theo. 1t is after 12 o'clock"
 ''Of course. dear, but what differ ence does that make? I want to come in and tell you how much love you"
 I don't understand you. Theo."
 You love me, don't your"
 I did not answer.
 Open the door, he commanded angrily. T am coming in.' He threw his whole weight against it.
 His voice changed. There was a gutteral sound that had never heard before. and in my terror if seemed to me that the bolt sprung a little. I caught up my handkerchief. | which was lying on table near and stuffed 1t Into my mouth for fear that I should scream.
 Again the door rattled. This time 1 it showed that there was an angry l man behind 1t.
 Don't be fool, virgie. let me in"
 To my horror there was an insis- 1 ent rap at my hall door.
 Copyright. John F. Di11e Co.)
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