The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-02-14


steps away and regarded him steadily
silently, unsmilingly. He stood there
like statue staring into the dark.
brilliant eyes, sunken deep under the
straight black eyebrows. Even in the
uncertain light from the curtained win
dows he could see that her face was alb
solutely colorless-the pallor of death
seemed TO have been laid upon It.
Swiftly she laid hand to her throat.
her eyes closed for a second and then
flew wide open again. now filled with
an expression of utter bewilderment.
rs it's 1t you, Robert? Is it really
you, or am l." she murmured, scarce
ly above whisper Once more she
closed her eyes, tightly; as IL to shut
out the vision of a ghOst-an unreal
thing that would not be there when
she looked again.
The sound of her voice released him
from the brief spell of stupefaction.
II know you. remember you. You
are Rachel Carter" he said hoarsely.
She was staring at him as II fas
cinated. Her lips moved. but no sound
issued from them.
He hesitated for an instant and then
turned to pick up his hat and gloves
Il came to see your daughter. madam
-as well you know. Permit me to
take my departure"
You are so like your" she began
with an effort. her voice deep and low
with emotion. so like him IL was
frightened. thought he had" She
broke of abruptly, lowered her head
in an attempt to hide from him the
trembling lips and chin and to regain,
II possible, the composure that had
been SO desperately shaken. "Waitr
she cried, stridently. Wait! Do not
go away. Give me time Toto"
There is no need for us to pro-
long" he began in harsh voice.
II will not keep you long" she inter.
rupted, every trace of emotion vanish
ing like a shadow that has passed. She
was facing him now, her head erect,
her voice steady. Her dark. cavernous
eyes were upon him; he experienced
an odd, indescribable sensation-as Of
shrinking-and without being fully
aware Of what he was doing. replaced
his hat upon the table, an act which
signified involuntary surrender on his
part.
"Where Is viola?" he demanded
sternly. "She left word for me to come
here. Where is she?"
''She Is not here" said the woman.
"Ehe has gone over to spend the after.
frank with you. This is not the time
for misunderstanding. She asked
Isaac Stain to give you that message
at my request-Or command, II you
want the truth. sent her away be-
cause what l have to say to you must
be said in private. There is no one
in the house besides ourselves. VIII
you do me the favor to be seated!
Very well; we will stand"
She walked to one of the windows
and, drawing the curtains aside, swept
the yard and adjacent roadway with
long, searching look.
The strong light fell full upon her
face; its warmth seemed suddenly to
paint the glow of life upon her pallid
skin. He gazed at her intently. Out
of the past there came to him with
startling vividness the face of the Ra-
chel Carter he had known. Time and
the toll of long, hard hours had brought
deep burrows to her cheeks, like lines
chiseled in a face of marble, but they
had not broken the magnificent body
of the Rachel Carter who used to toss
him joyously, into the air with her
strong young arms and sure hands.
But there was left NO sign Of the
broad, roliickinE smile that always at
tended those gay romplngs. Her lips
were frm-set, straight and unyieldins
"a hard month danked by what