The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-11-09
CHAPTER DJ.-COntinue

WuuA made ny way tn .'ouyh the
draw;n9-rDUm in the lIcAnlnr mansion
on my next visit. Mis-, fleming va
seated on a lOw stool rocking - and
fro with sheet of paper crumpl..d be-
tween her locked fin ger, an tao knee.
tho csa-pcd. , abs ,rhcd wa, she in
thought tina: he cid MT notice my
orc cree. II seemed to me that never
had seen -uch u change in Il p ron :
face, nor ,uld ] have believe, such Il
transformation could have bcta posi-
Die Il, that which in a single z, anc3 |
nOtnd in hers. she had grown ten
years older in til e day, Tho conf
dent. proud expression That even III i;t-
posi- her feature, had alwa:@ worn, the
Hash that ace .mpanied every mott n of
her eyes. the curl that ia seemed part
Of the fashinnirg of her uvlc." lip. ali
wCs'e gone. and tlcrc sat Il pal girl.
blankly staring at the carpet, with her
face cOrit"rted as by worr'inlent and
lined as if by the strain OF Hines. Her
6elf-cominani Yer before rclin-
Q,lshcd was now 50 far gone that w.Icn
she saw me she sprang to her feet
in alarm. c,umplcG the paper in the
palm of her hand. and then stood merry
Ous,y cIutching the back OF Il chair
oiitl il'Sttal i'll, .I' ~ AAI-
pcarcd to me, between failing into the
chair or by force Of will continuing to
stand AstOnishcd. | so far forgot my
SELF as to pause in passing her. But [
mani: rcd TO salute her in an approach
toa natural ne, ard to pass into the
library. Need | say that lor Il few
minutes my old friends on the shelves
failed to hold III attention. and that |
took them down and put the III up again
and even opened and seam d them
mechanically.
What possible thing could have
changed the naughty beauty 50 com
plctcly and suddenly? Her father
came in ard l delayed looking at him,
expecting him to show agitation and
excitement Bat the tones OF his voice
were full and normal. ! looked and
he was the same briGht-cycd. clear
skinned. plump and ruddy-visaged
young old man.
Vi-itoro made themselves heard in
the dg,win@-rno.n. young lady visitors.
and Mr.. Hcnring excused himself.
felt ut ease again. opened Il volume.
and leaning back in my chair ard
crossing ny logs went to The Fee zee
Islands with Il daring traveller. The
sound .! my maine. spoken hurrlcdi V
and somewhat sharply. brought me
back with IL start.
Miss Hcnning. pale yet. and wall
locking. hut h, lding herself with all
her vented hanyhiincss of micn. was
staining before me.
mir. Fletcher, Mr.. Swcnscn di-liko>,
you -
~ know it," said.
1T is because YOU know something
OF him that il not known by us here
something he would not wish us to
know"
Il do not know how he could possibly
think thai. ! replied. never felt so
the nuyhly under my own command
before in my life. enjoyed the SELL
sati"n.
81 have not said that he thought any
thing. Mr.. i'lrtri,rr.'
We'll. do MT see then how you
could possibly think it,"
~ do think it. Mr.. Fletcher. and
am not mistaken: he hates you, and
you. So far - ! am able to read de-
mcauor. act rs if You realized the pow
or you hold over him."
"Oh. no. upon my word, Miss Hem
ming, big of you not t. think that.
If there has been anything to read in
my dclncanor in connection with Mr.
Swec.cn it has been simpi! that have
known my business ami minded it.