The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-07-30
CHATTER ".
DISAsTERi


what will Raymond think p what
will Raymond sayl"
That was the burden OF anxious
Edna Deane'3 heart, as the carriage
that conveyed her from her school life
Into new and unknown existence sped
across the country.
Opposite to hor sat her grim compan-
hon. motionloss, erect, forbiddlng. Re-
tpect without severity had attended his
every movement since leaving Hope
dale, but he persisted In that weird, OPP
pressiye silence that chilled, almost
. alarmed tho warm, childish heart OF
Edna.
She had comforted herself with the
resolve to writc TO Marshall as soon as
she reached hor new homo. ana had
Then yenturcd TO address her somber
companion.
Won't you please tell mo something
about my father-tho place am going
tor" she spoke In accents OF tremulous
The man hcsitated. Then, with evil
dent reluctance, he said:
'You are going to your father-the
father who loves you, who VIII mako
YOUR life one OF Joy, wealth, and happi-
ness
aBut, why oil this mystery
His brow clouded.
"He will tell you. Believe me, it Is
for the best Ho has been under a
cloud for years; his life has been nearly
wrecked by the wlckedness OF others.
Go to him with q free, fearless heart,
willing to forget all tho world save
him, and add something Of JOY to his
last days.
Edna chilled at the gruesome hint
that the words contained. Forget oil
the world save her father? Did that In.
clude Raymond?
What coull tho dark mystery be2 Hel
companion's lips were sealed on the
theme after they had reached Tho
train. Ho provided her with every
comfort In the drawing-rOom section
secured for her, and left her to he
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
little village. 1t was still showing
and, leaving her in the cheerless depot
her companion emit to the stores abou
the place, returning with frownins
anxious face.
liam sorry" he said "but can yOl
stand short walk in the Storm
lam not afraid Of the sto IN; rathe
enjoy It," responded Edna, cheeriiy
Are we near-homef'
Eyes: that is, we cross two miles t.
another railroad. Then brief ride
u-J .,.<.,. t,x,,pav Ia apdad I cauuC
obtain a single vehicle to drive US OWL
and the train Is duo In two hours.
They started forth. Edna was BRAY
and disdain 'ui of the snow at first. u
cIogged footsteps. an occasional dee
drift and binding fakes soon made he
breath come quicker, and her companio
was compelled to aid her with the hel
of his arm.
They had got past the limits OF IN
town now. Edna shuddered at til
cneerlcssness OF the twilight-darkenin
landscape.
1--WE have not got to go now, en-
couraged her companion. This mus
be the bridge we cross. Courage, m
child, Only half mile moro. and
ooh! como back como back! Lool
That signl"
Edna, following In the footsteps
her guide, who now went in advance
clear o path for her more dainty fec
had noticed the dashing torrent
water below the Srail bridge spannir
H. and. half obliterated by the snow,
rndely painted sign nailed to one OF tt
bridge supports.
"What is it?'' spoke her guide, hal
way across the bridge.
There is sign. Danger! Mercy
A wild. frantic scream completed u
sentence. Appalled,, Edna Deane shruI
back at O spectacle that froze her hea
with terror.
At her very word, her companion, ia
ing n step to ono side. disappeared. III
warning Of danger had come too LAT
Through come snow-covered hole In 7
unstable b.idge structure he went.
Splash! With strained eyes the ago
lied girl saw his body strike tho foal
ing water torrent.
There was cry for help, she saw
white face appear once, twice, In t
turbulent flood, and then-the Nigh
stream dashed on, leaving her ator
unprotected, In the weird arms of I
storm aud the night.
Alone, sick at heart, hopeless, s
continued to stare vaguely ut I
circling eddies that had engulfed b
one protector in the world.
Alone on that dreary landscape, Ed
Deane realized that She was pennies
homeless, hundreds of miles frt
friends, and the mystery OF her life
mystery stu.
CHAPTER vi.
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