The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-08-11

burned redly-her mind wandered il
spite of herself.
OF course she did not mean to NEE
this man; and what would be the con
sequences if she did not2 She began t.
feel desperately the need of aid IN thi
strange matter. She wished that Hcn-
ry Grayson were there ;she wished mos
of all that she were at hcme.
| When she locked the school-roon
door that night she saw, as l have said,
this gaunt, black haired man watching
| her under the trees. With a quick,
firm step she walked down the street.
At least he should not see that she was
afraid of him. But she heard step be-
hind her; it was his. He came to her
side; his dctcstabe voice said over her
shoulder: Tonight at o'clock. l for
got to tell you the time
She never turned her head or made
the slightest response, as if she had
heard him. He made an effort to look
into her eyes then fell back and dis
appeared.
Lucy reached her room, locked the
door and sat down, trembling and cry
Ing. This last encounter had been
too much for her nerves. She was full
OF excitement and dread. Uncons cious-
ly to herself this constant pursuit had
worn upon her. Her strength seemed
suddenly to give way. She sat, sob
bling, almost unable to stir, when there
was knock at the door.
She started at tho sound as if some
new summons of evil were at hand; but
the person who appeared was only
young lady boarding in the house
with whom Lucy had slight acquaint-
ance.
A note had been left at the house
while Lucy was at school. 1t was her
mothers handwriting:
Come home Immediately. Your father is
very i'll.
Miss Burton delivered the note, but
fingered, drawn to a plying solicitude
by the sight of Lucy's swollen face.
As Lucy dropped the paper and sobbed
more bitterly than be, ore, Miss Burton
gently approached her. saying, 'My
dear Miss Hutton, you have bad news"
"My father is very ill-dying, per-
haps. But how can l leave my school?'
81 will be your substitute while you
IRE sbsent. l think l can. I have
taught in a school before. And l will
go with you tonight and see the rector"
This kindness terminated Lucy's
mind. In few m oments she had set
tied her plans and the two sought the
Rev. John Archer and had the matter
satisfactorily settled. Lucy was to start
On the 0 o'clock train and Miss Burton
was to enter the school in the morn
ing.
Hurriedly making other arrangement
Lucy babe her new friends a grateful
yoodby, took fly and was driven to
he station. The train was ready; she
entered. 1t was only an hours ride to
her home.
Suddenly, while the train was rush
ng through thick darkness, lighted on
y by cloud of sparks, Lucy renem-
)ered her obtrusive admirer.
Il have escaped him" she thought,
with a moments delight.
Anticipating her arrival she found her
ather's chase cart awaiting her, the
lorse driven by her little brother,
Will.
''How is father, Will"
Gle is very i'll, Lucy"
That night was long and hard one
or the friends of the sick man. But at /
lawn, to the relief of all. the physicians
pronounced him out of danger.
The morning sunshine found Lucy /
,allid and exhausted. She was greatly .
They begged her to go to
leep, but she could not rest. Her eyes
we're heavy, her lips pale, her hands hot.
She carried some spring water, cool and
parking, to her room, wet her throb-
,ing temples and her thick rich hair, the
weight of which oppressed her aching
lead.
While engaged in this she heard
mock at the door. Hurriedly coi.ing
Up her bright hair, she went down. The !