The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-02-06

toned to both seeing and making his
way easy that she only felt now that
he must not be troubled with this
worst trouble of all.
When they were fairly started AIDE
laide said suddenly: ''You are SO kind,
Alan. Let us take the very shortest
way" and then she said nothing more.
But her senses seemed keyed to the
highest pitch as she followed Alan
through the corridors and into q cell.
She knew it was some dreadful night
mare which must end some time. For
that looked like Rob sitting there, only
Rob was so young and light-hearted,
and this was a man with an old. bag.
gard face.
Rob, Rob, tell me what do you owe
Carter? have money, can pay him."
said his sister, passing her hand gently
over the bowed head.
Rob started ard said in low, mo-
notonous voice: "You can't, it's such an
awful sum. don't see how it ever got
SO large. / didn't mean to do wrong,
Ada. but 1 just had good times and
drifted along with Carter's set and now
Just see the end. He declares / owe it
all to him. But deserve i'll knew
better than to go with such fellows. l
was weak, and you know mother all
ways said to be weak was to be mis-
cradle But you mustn't be here, it's
no place for you; just leave me.
Father'n never know, he hardly ever
reads the papers, and you can say I'm
visiting" Rob's hopeless manner, SO
utterly different from the Rob she
knew, went to Adelaide's heart like
knife. Her mothers boy like this! !.
Tell me, Rob! perhaps l can pay it,
she urged eagerly.
"You? Why, papa never gives you
money. It's good and dear of you,
Ada, but you can't help me. let my
self get into Carter's power, and must
face the consequences-anything but
have papa know!''
"Tell me-" persisted Adelaide.
Zone hundred and fifty dollars" said
Rob. slowly, you see"
"Yes, thatis just what have" said
Adelaide, in tones of sudden relief.
Come, Alan, you will take me to
Carter's, it isn't too late if we hurry"
She turned to Alan in painful eager
ness, and before Rob could compre-
bend it all, she was gone.
No one ever knew what she said tc
Eldridge Carter. Alan stayed in the
hall without at his boarding house-but
he thought he never saw a meaner,
more abashed-looking fellow than the
one who opened the door for the pale,
stately young girl who swept out OF
the room like princess. Carter fol-
lowed them to the station house, still
subdued and quiet.
An hour later Rob was in his own
room at home. AS Adelaide fingered,
10th to leave him, he caught her by the
arm. "rm worthless fellow, Ada;
you're worth six of such fellows as
am. but shall never forget this never
Oh. Ada. if you could know all I've
suffered. the rack I've been on! I've
felt so bound to Carter, and l can't be
lieve I'm free at last, and all through
YOU"
Adelaide looked into the changed
face before her, frightened at the rare
emotion Rob betrayed. But why
didn't you confide in me, Rob, dear?'
she asked, reproachfully.
81 knew. or thought ] knew, tina
you couldn't help me, and as if yor
didn't have enough already! l sait
that, weak as was, wouldn't be tina
weak-to make you suffer for me-ant
papa never has money, and papa never
would forgive or understand. But, oh
Ada, how / did want mamma! but
quickly-'you're just next best-jus
the best sister in this worldg' He ben
over and kissed her-when had Rol
done that before?
When Adelaide stood again IN he
own room, she could not realize how
much had happened since she had stoot
there before. She felt that ages hat
interviewed. Good-by to that beautiful
time at Aunt Eleanor's, but oh! Rol
was safe, and free from the evil geniu
of his school year! How earnestly sh
prayed that she might be the one T.
meet Rob's needs at this time! How
inexperienced and alone she felt!
\ And then. hardest of all. the mex
day Aunt Eleanor must be written u
at once. asking her if the money coul'
be spent in way greatly needed in
stead of the promised visit, which sh
had just written would give her S
much pleasTse. Days passed in sus
pense. and then came Aunt Eleanor
answer:
MY Dear Niece-n you choose to spen
your own money in other ways than to Wis
your aunt, have nothing to say; but 1t is you
own fault that this is the last invitation sha
ever send to be rejected AUNT ELEANOR"
Adelaide had little cry over tina
note. "Yet can't blame her." she sale
Her father thought the giving up Q
postponing of the visit was girl
freak and worried no more about 1t.
But Adelaide's anxious heart gre,
lighter as she saw the change in Roi
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