New Britain herald., 1922-01-04

f and key of the night had vaguely changed.
 The north wind" Bill said simply | Virginia's eyes grew wide.
 What does it mean?" she asked | breathlessly.
 Winter. The northern winter. I've seen it break too many times. There's no chance for doubt any more. Per haps we can drown out the sound of i Iit-with music" l He walked toward the battered in- 1 strument. Her heart was cold with in her, and she nodded eagerly. Yes "a little ragtime.'
 T haven't any ragtime," the man explained humbly. T could only bring up few records, and so I took just the ones l liked best. They're simple things-Im sorry I haven't any more.'
 She looked at this man with grow ing wonder.
 He put on a record. She recognized the melody at once It was Drdla' S "Souvenir'-and the first notes seemed to sweep her into infinity. It was a moment of enchantment. The music rose high, fell in soaring leaps, trembled in infinite appeal, and slowly died away. Outside the storm increased in fury.
 And it was well for her peace of mind that she did not glance at Bill. He was watching the girls face, his eyes wistful as no human being had ever seen them.
 The soaring notes. with the dread full accompaniment of the storm, had brought home truth he had tried to deny. T love you, Virginia" cried the inaudible voice of his soul. "Oh, Virginia-I love you, l love you" VI.
 It was one of Bill Bronsons basic creeds to look his situation squarely truth that ever grew clearer and more manifest-hs love for Virginia.
 He had told himself he wouldn't give his love to her He would hold that back, at least. He had reminded himself of the bridgeless gap that separated them. But there was no use of trying further. In the stress and passion of the melody he had found out the truth.
 But if he couldn't keep this knowl- edge from himself, at least he could hold it from the girl. It would only bring her unhappiness. It would de- stroy the feeling of comradeship for him that he had begun to observe in her. It would put an insurmount- able wall between them. Virginia had no suspicion of his thoughts. She was still enthralled by the after-image of the music. But | soon the noise of the storm began to force itself into her consciousness.
 Vaguely she knew that this night was different from the others. The two previous nights she had been i'll and half-unconscious; her very help lessness appealed to Bills chivalry Tonight she stood on her own feet.
 She was suddenly face to face with the fact that the night stretched be- fore her-and she in a snowswept cabin in the full power of strange man.
 But all at once she looked up to find Bills eyes upon her, full of sym- pathy and understanding.
 "Youll want to turn in now,' he told her. You takel the bunk again, of course-I'll sleep on the floor m comfortable there. And now I've got to fix your boudoir,"
 He took one of the boxes that served as a chair and stood it up on the floor. just in front of her bunk. Then, holding one of the blankets Tn his arm and a few nails in his hand, he climbed upon the box. She under stood in an instant. He was curtain ing off the entire end of the cabin where Virginia slept.
 The girls relief showed in her face.
 You can go in there now,' he told