The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-07-16
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Edna's hand rested consolingly on
her lovers arm, as MS face clouded.
"Oh it Is not quito desperate" sho
spoke cheerily. Let us go over the
real facts Of tho case, Raymond. and be
patient. Hero am, o nobody, girl
from nowhere. / seem to have been
placed at the seminary here at 10 years
OF ago, without a memory OF early
childhood. Miss Chandler says a mys-
terious gentleman brought me here,
paid ten years tuition and board In nd-
vance for me, and-that's all.
Not letter since-not visit SINGER"
Not even hint. Here l was left.
Was an orphan, was abandoned here,
or was the mysterious gentleman my
father, who, for lack OF dead mothers
care, placed me here for safe keeping,
and going out into the world to forget
his sorrows or win fortune, died with
the secret Of my identity locked in his
, own tosom?"
And now!" murmured Raymond. his
| loyal heart heating with renewed sympa-
thy for the friendless girl who seemed
to deserve all the love and care he had
vowed to her.
| Now, Miss Chandler says we must
wait. / am virtually her ward. She dare
not sanction our union. Any day my
father, or whoever my mysterious rela-
tive may be, might appear to claim me.
What would he say If he found me mar
ried to q painter who won't paint, an
artist who talks more love than art?"
Watt" calculated Raymond, i'm
patiently. "For how long? The ten
years have two to run yet.
Yes, but am eighteen to-day-of
legal age. Miss Chandler says she
verify believes that some word or direc-
| ton will come soon.
1t was an old story gone OVER now for
the hundredth time, but there was new
interest in discussing It. They talked
Of their plans, OF their hopes, OF the
golden future life seemed to presage.
i must go now" spoke Edna at last.
h,ur. WANTED to tell you about the
| Brinsley Is to take me. He Is Miss
Chambers cousin, and want to please
her"
Raymond's eyes showed a rising token
of jealousy, but he was prudently silent.
IF he does no. go ! shall write you,
and you must be my knight errant.
hope he does not. Good-bY. No! Be-
atrice is looking this way. Be patient,
Raymond, and above all, do make some
progress On that tiresome, nevor-to-b be
finished picture"
She was gone as she had come, like
q flashing, dainty sprite. Raymond
Marshall followed her with his eyes,
until tho bushes ehut out the remotest
| view Of her pretty, noddiDg cap.
ap}of,rrats ha rnurmUrQd with a 9tQh.
MS he packed up stool and easel. who
could paint with such face haunting
oyery glance and thought? And she
bids me walt! Wait, to be tortured
every time see her in the company OF
that fellow Brinsloy, or making con-
fidante Of Beatrice Mercer. How dis
trust herr
Yes, Miss Beatrice Mercer was a
thorn In the artists side. Why, he
could scarcely explain. She was pretty,
young, apparently. devoted to,,his lancee
but moro than once he had caught her
eyes fixed on Edna with latent, bale
full light, upon himself with passion
ate, pleading expression that mystifed
repulsed him, he knew not why.
Il But all this would soon end; an, yes
it must soon end. The mystery OF hi
fiancee must some time cease 10 be q
mystery. 1t was not an unusual case
It would probably have very prosaft
!. conclusion, with the loug-iost fathe
returning, and explaining that he hat
placed his daughter In Miss Chandler
charge because shs was motherless.
Then they would marry, and lii
! would be worth living. and all the dis
tressing trilles of the present woul
vanish. 1t must be go. Edna had pre-
dicted that word must soon come fron
!. her mysterious relative.
2 Her faith as hopeful as his own. Ednl
. locked her arm through that OF her com
panion, and did most OF the chatterin;
! the way back to tho seminary.
Miss Mercer went straight to her owl
room. If Edna had s, en- her as sh
threw herself on her bod and lay con
. vulsed in paroxysm OF tears, rage, on
: emotion for over an hour, she might nc
. vainly have guessed at the cause Of tn
varying moods Of this strange creature
AS to Edna, she studied for an hou
: and started to find her friend agaiI
: thinking OF Raymobd's handsome fac
despite herself, and Raymond's anxior
: wish that the obstacles to their unio
q were removod-that word would come
: and the suspense OF waiting be allev
ated.
4 ..Oh, Edna! Miss Chandler wishes
q see you at once, spoke a fellow-st'
a dent, as Edna crossed tho hall.
= Particularly" murmured Edna, wit
q smile.
very much so. Shc scnt me for 20
{ and seemed greatly excited. Somethir
: has happened; l don't know what, b
3 she acted very much agisatod."
y Yes, "eomcthing' had happened, al
4 Edna Deane know what, fov minut'
v later.
q Something had happened In way d
: rectly in accordance with her though
i and Raymond Marshnll's impatient d
q sires.
WORD" had comel
- CHAPTER III.
FROM THE PAST.
4, Edna Deane's heart quickened
a, | r,lc a tions nc she Startpd for the rec0