The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-07-30
CHAPTER v.
DIsAsrERi

what will Raymond think p Whit
will Raymond sayS"
{ That was the burden OF anxious
Edna Deane'3 heart, as the carriage
that conveyed her from her school HE
into a new and unknown existence sped
across the country.
Opposite to her sat her grim compan-
lion. mottonloss, erect, forbidding. ke-
fpect without severity had attended his
every movement since leaving Hope
dale, but he persisted In that weird, OPP
pressiye silence that chilled. almost
alarmed the warm, childish heart OF
Edna. -,
She had comgorted herself with the
resolve to write to Marshall as soon as
she reached her new homo. ana had
then ventured 10 address her somoer
companion.
wont YOU please tell me something
about my fnther-the place ! am going
to-" she spoke In accents OF fremulous
pleading.
The man hesitated. Then, with evil
dent reluctance, he said:
you are going to Jour father-the
father who loves you, who will MAKE
your life one Of Joy, wealth, and happi-
ness.
But, why all this mysterya'
His brow clouded.
sHe will tell you. Believe me, it Is
for the best He has been under a
cloud for years; his life has been nenrly
wrecked by the wickedness OF others.
Go to him with q free, fearless heart,
willing TO forget all the world save
him, and add something of joy to his
last days"
Edna chilled at the grucsome hint
that the words contained. Forget oil
the world save her father? Did that In
clude Raymond?
What couli tho dark mystery be9 Her
companions lips were sealed on the
theme after they had reached the
train. He provided her with every
comfort in the drawing-room section
secured for her. and left her to her
thoughts, telling her that they would
not leave the train until after daylight
Then swift spin across the country,
confused sleep, and morning, struggling
In the embrace OF binding snow-
storm, the cars passing through bleak,
unfamiliar section.
Toward evening they alighted at q
little village. 1t was still showing,
and, leaving her in the cheeriess depot,
her companion ent to the stores about
. the place, returning with q frowning,
anxious face.
liam sorry" he said; @but can you
stand short walk In the Storm
"Iam not afraid OF the sto; IN; rather
enjoy It." responded Edna, cheeriiy.
Are we near--homef"
"Yes; that Is, we cross two miles to
another railroad. Then q brief ride,
t. nd II M
obtain a single vehicle to drive US over,
and the train Is due In two hours.
They started forth. Edna was brave
and disdainsul Of the snow at first. vi
clorred footsteps. an occasional deeE
DRIFT and binding fakes soon made hei
breath come quicker, and her companion
was compelled to aid her with the helT
of his arm.
They had got past the limits Of tht
town now. Edna shuddered Mt thu
cneerlessness OF the Notwithstanding
landscape.
rive have not got far to go now en-.
couraQed her companion. "Th's mus
DO the bridge we cross. Courage, my
child! Only half milo moro, and
"Oh! como back! come back! Look
That signl"
Edna. following In the footsteps o
her guide, who now went in advance t.
clear a path for her more dainty feet
had noticed the dashing torrent o
water below the frail bridge spanning
IL. and. half obliterated by the snow,
rudeiy painted sign nailed to one OF tn
bridge supports.
'What Is it?" spoke her guide, half
way across the bridge.
There Is a sign. 'DaDgerl Mercyl
wild, frantic scream completed tn
sentence. Appalled,, Edna Dcane shrun
back ut o spectacle that froze her hear
with terror.
AT her very word, her companion, TAX
ing a step to one side, disappeared. Tn
warning Of danger had come, too late
Through come snow-coyered hole In Tn
unstable bridge structure he went.
Splash! With strained eyes the agon
tied girl saw his body strike the foam
ing water torrent.
There was cry for help, she saw n
white face appear once. twice, IN IN
turbulent Hood. and then-the migh'
stream dashed on, leaving her aton'
unprotected. in the weird arms OF II
storm and the night.
Alone, sick ut heart, hopeless, 81
continued to stare vaguely at I'll
eircling eddies that had engulfed HI
ono protector In the world.
Alone on that dreary landscape, Edr
Deane realized that she was pennies
homeless, hundreds OF miles fro
friends, and the mystery OF her lie
mystery stu.