The Delta independent., 1898-07-29
CHAPTER KIN.


ness in the robbery case. Wild, stirring.
marvellous was the rumor that went
from bouss to house before II o'clock
that Mrs. Barry's companion and pro-
teges. the lovely New England girl, had
been accused BY the police Of guilty
knowledge Of. II nos completely in, the
burglaries aud that. though not arrested
and taken to town. she WINS under sur
veillance and confined to the house. One
man when be heard it boiled over with
wrath and misery. That was Ronald
Maynard. Scorning his sisters argu-
ments and entreaties. he had limped
across the piazza, runs at the Parrys'
door and begged to be admitted. He
found Mrs. Stannard fearful, but calm
and collected. Mrs. Barry reclining on
her couch, her white hands gently toy
ing with the glossy. wavy blond masses
of hair that rippled all down over poor
Nathalie's back and shoulders rs she
kpelt there, her fhce buried in MIRA
Barry's bosom, abandoned to her grief.
She did not even hear or heed the bell.
did not know who had come or that any
ooe bad come. until sbe heard these
wosis: ts~ --tt
"Ar. Stannard-MrA Barry-I've
heard this most cruel accusation. and
I've come to ay don't believe word
Of It, and I wont rest until I've got at
the truth"
The ssrvant after admitting him still
stood at the parlor door. looking doubt
fully after the young officer and glane-
IND inquisingly. as MrA stannafd -
thoush to ask IL she had done right or
wroog. Mra Barry, without turning CT
Disturbing Nathalie, held ont her thin
Whies baud. . smile Of welcome and
pleasure ON her face, and as Maynard
stepped forward and eagerly clarped the
proffered hand he bowed low over 1t and
over the beautiful, rippling tresses Of
the girls humbled had. His eyes
clouded with distress and sympathy.
gazed one moment into thoee Of the in
valid and then sotshs The knesling
form. No woman that eves lived. Snbs-
rsft Of the faculties God has given her,
could have fAiled to read the infinite
yearning in the brave young face, the
love aud tendesness and longing that
shcne in bis ane, truthful eyes Mrs.
Barry rsad asd n~ unefringIy. and her
heart went ont 70 hin, ~ she draw the,
sobbing girl closer to her side. Natbs-
lie, too, seemed conscious Of bis nearer
peessncs. She was striving to check the
violence Of her emotion and had in
stinctively moved . listle. - though 70
make room for him or possibly TO draw
. triHs away. His knee was almost at
ho1 sboulder. =. - sastEe
! NfA Stanpard half .torpeA. at Is ALI
right" ahe said in . low tone 10 the
still lingering servant. "You may Co."
and slowly and almost reluctantly the
maid withdrew. They heard her voice
Shs. sext moment in the dining room
- though answering question. Lieu.
tenant Maynard. =" she snid. "to see
Arx Ba1y," whereat Mrs. Stannard
looked N some surprise into the room
I, beyond. but no one was then in sight (
''It was the co0k. I fancy" said Mrs.
Barry. "Sbo usually comes to me about
this time each day to get her orders, and
being . very particular. not to say su-
perior. person. she did not wish in her
Kitchen attire TO come into the presence
Of gentlemen. Bridget II quite swell
wbea she goes to town. Do sit down
awhile, Mr.. Maynard We are all glad
to see you," and again her arm seemed
moro closely to encircle Nathalie. ''It
10 good 10 hear your voice again, espe-
eially when you say such good words. !"
Only too willingly Maynard found .
chair and drew ft toward the couch.
Nathalie made an effort 70 rise, but
NrA Barry held her firmly, murmuring
some encouraging words in be1 ear.
Thea Mrs. Stannard came forward
again. 20
~ think will 60 over homo awhile
BOW and look after matters there. Then
I'll come to you again, Mira Barry. Mr..
Maynard will have . chance 10 talk
Wikh you while I'm gonss"t ers=
Again Nra Barry held out her hand.
"Ycu have been ever 80 good to u. and
we'll Be glad indeed when You can come
back. both Of us Would you mind tell
ing cook to make . little tea now foe
Nathsliei" The kneeling girl shook her
,head In protest, but unsvailingly. NrA
6sannard disappeared through the din.
Z ing rouo door and went to the kitchen
Just beyood. She returned inc moment.
''Bsidget isn't there, but told Mary.
She thinks Bridges may have goas mp
stairs . moment She left bef In tho
diDing room. Mary viii make the tea-"
81 dtdn't bear bef 90 up." said NrA
Barry. list " ny b. Sis ths Suiss-
- creature ever had about Tie houss
despite ber sppaEent weight Thank
yoai evee % nuchr Mn. Sesnoafd- !
su6pu0 thess y no uss - oar Writing
20 our respective me3ora agains They
Fesch Laramie today, do they not NJ.
NayaaQ1rs .--f .--- f.4ss
s''I ttink %. F" was the assweR. "Int
fbess . map q Nebrasks In the major's
- lns slBpv yos - ~ sbsy are
DaDcbSpg IN. Ths doctor apd figured
Z % eat o. hts nap shis Dozning bsloss-
. bsluee ~ besrd a thiA " Aad aGnin be