The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-08-21
CHAPTER XII

Neither looked At the other. In
stinctiyely Wells felt that which bad
whelmed him was overcoming Ellen
also.
One thought alone was paramount
and without companion. In Wells
whirilng brain. He was the lord. Ks
yama- San-or 30 she thought. The
lord did not ask nor demand He
offers request. and thereby confsrf
supreme favor upon any ons fortu
nate enough 10 be so designated.
She had not argued. had not qulb-
bled. and he saw In this acqulescenec
something beautifully touching. 4
superb plea OF nature appealing pas
slonately against mans crucinxion o.
purity upon the cross OF sophlstice
ton he did not think Of II IL
these words he did not thint
he was far beyond thought. IN
heard her breath come quickly, shor
and painfully. That she already 70
gretted her swayed decision he could
not know. That she moved 80 silently
because she knew nothing 10 plead
that would have interested him. He
was hot with the heady wine Of pos
session.
They repassed the high-pitched foot
bridge linking the miniature islands OF
q garden. repassed the tagged path |
that half-circled lotus-coversd pond.
He did not look at Ellen. but saw her
white reflection In the water. Invol-
unfairly he took her hand. and so they
walked onward at last mounting the
winding path, hrub-bordered. that
leads TO the house OF the Thunder
Gate
Only one OF the panels Of the main
room was open. They must pass close
through II.
The hanging lamp had gone out, and
only the tiny lotus-lamp OF bronze with
rs sputtering taper In the rape-seed
Oh burned unsteadlly before the sec
shrine There was no sound
within, no patter OF feet nor mufrled
laughter.
lie could not see her face. could
,nly mark It's oval. Very slowly he
ook her hands. lie who had been so
hull OF subtle reasonlngs, OF argu-
nents. OF decisions, who had 30
learned for action resultant In the
oveilness of his companion being
Irawn within the circle OF his arms
he. the man OF impulses 80 foreign.
vas silent and motionless az n
halned. lie heard the pounding Of
'er heart and thought II was his
WA great peace brooded In the
nclent house.
Wells drew her hands together and.
cry slowly. as n moved by some
nechanlsm within him. placed his
Their hand upon her shoulder.
The moments passed. Neither spoke
or moved. except that once Ellen's
cad ralsed--perhaps an inch. no more
so that each saw deep into the 9TH
RS eyes Wells hand pressed against
or shoulder
They started hearing the whistle
blind woman In the streets: q
,ng sweet call. plaintlve; one sus
aimed note first. then two short ones
, another and lower key. To warn
Ne passers TO take heed for her sake.
nee she cannot see.
Bind oh, more than blindi Here.
aid the throbhing night. here was his
". his life and happiness. Take II.
iurmured the trees. for the bloom IL
BON gone from the fruit. Take Il. !
very herstofors subdued sense told
lm. for the night Is going n IL :
se hour OF the Highest star. the hour
{ love. of capture and giving
M the night Is passing fast.
lie had no time for argument now
e only knew that. trembling In his Y
was the giri that he
we'd that the night was sweet and =
ado for rapture. IT'S heart whis :
srrd her name again and again ike ;
llfany.