The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-07-16
es, Edna. This gentleman has come

Yes, Una. Ihis Ge"tio' '''T SSN~S
for you.
Al the gentleman in question the Won
derinu. perturbed Edna was starin 6.
He made slight obcIsance as she APP
pcared. Now, stiff, prim, severe, his
saI.ow face and nervous eyes father de-
pressed her.
at ig-it Is about" Hammered
Edra.
.Yoar past2 your friends?" murmured
tho principal, blokenly. Yes, Edna.
am very sorry, but your schooldays are
over" -,
ooh! Miss Chandler. don't say that!"
Edna gasped the words. She COM
pretended that the consummation so
devoutly desired by her mystifled, Inn
patient lover and herself had arrived.
But the shock Of the announcement, a
realization OF how sunny and happy had
been her life under the tender care OF
the school guardians sent the quick
tears 10 her eyes and the warm color
from her face.
Then eagerly, lungingly, piteously,
che glanced ct the man before her.
Was he the relative she had 80 often
dreamed of-tho mysterious censor OF
her fate?
you are not-my fatheri" she began,
twisting her hands In nervous confusion.
The strange, mobile features never
changed. Staring straight ahead OF
| him like some automaton, his face most
resembling that Of man In ill-health,
suffering but silent, schooled against
the betrayal of the least emotion, he
answered solemnly, but not unpleas-
ingly: ,..
L ~
@And-ha has sent for me2"
Every word was throb OF suspense
and painful uncertainty. A fatherl
Then She was not utterly friendless? A
father! But why had he left her loveless,
neglected, all these yearsf
Miss Chandler will tell you" an
swered the stranger. she recognizes
the authority by which 1 appear"
Dear Edna let 1t be smiles rather
than tears" spoke Miss Chandler. COM
ing 10 Edna's side and pacing caress-
ing arm about her. 1T is all quickly
told. You have father, and he has
sent for you.
But
I cannot tell you moro. This gen.
tleman not only binds me to secrecy, or,
rather, leaves me in complete igno-
rance OF the motive for all this mys-
tery, but inststs that you shall leave at
once. OF one thing be assured. how
ever. am satisfied that you are going
into kind hands. All viii bc we'll. This
letter will convince you. 1t Is from
your father. And Miss Chandler nodded
to the stranger, who handed Edna
sealed missive.
She barely glanced at 1t through her
binding tears. She read only the first
few lines. beginning:
MY child, there have been vital rea-
sons for my seeming neglect OF you,
there are still vital reasons why suds
denly, abruptly, you must sever your
connection with your dearest friends
aud hasten to me. When explain you
will know VIII; no one must know"
Edna crumpied the unfinished missive
into her pocket at this stage. for Miss
Chandler was giving her directions to
20 to her room and pack uf hurriedlJ.
In that apartment Beatrice Mercer
} Joined her, With strange, wondering
light In her eyes she listened to Edna'f
} story OF the sudden summons.
~Oh! / shall surely be allowed tc
write to you, to explain everything
when find my father" sobbed Edna
as she chung to Beatrice in ferven
embrace. "Beatriae-Raymond2"
Tho scintillating eyes OF the dari
beauty flashed wickedly, bat the express
sion was yelled from poor Edna's tear
blinded sight.
Il shall toll him
THAT could not bid him good-by
they would not let me. Tell him vii
get him word as soon as l can. Oh
this mysterious haste unnerves me!
do not even know where / am going
5 Good-b by, dear friend. Good-by, good
! by"
A clingfn2 kiss emphasized ever.
, word. Tho fearful Miss. Chandler waves
: her a last adieu from the door. He
4 somber companion helped her into tn
) carriage, and the wheels grinding dow
the soft road seemed to be tearing he
Q very heart-strings. as Hopedale fade
: from Wow In the distance and the We
d hicle bounded forward. carrying limo
! cent Edna Deane to meet strange
solemn mystery.
Twilight closed In about the land
scape, as the carriage dashed across tn
! country for tho nearest railway station
; Twilight, folding Its mystic shrou
:, about the old seminary structure, wa
= shut out securely from one room
least.
d With locked doors and shades drewr
It Beatrice Mercee sat at table In ht
e apartment, porting over letter, Study
). ing it, analysing 1t, re-rsading It.
II It was tho crumIled mlssive, ha
!. read by tho distressed Edna. How ha
q it come into her possession? By d.
is sign, the cleaning. calculating syt
n told, for those eyes had the mask dow
:" now, oil alone by hcrsef.
!. iro DE coxTrxuED.