St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1900-05-12
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
{ His Family Specter :
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| what to make of you'll" ex-
claimed Tom Fairleigh, drawing on
his gloves with considerable show of
vexation. Amy Hepburn's happiness
is dear to me. In fact, came here
tonight to tell you that l love her"
ITO tell mel broke in. Gordon.
"Why don't you tell her?"
'Wait-can't you? Let me finish.
| have told her, and she has declined
me. 1t was done very gently and
with the greatest possible regard for.
my feelings, but nevertheless | was
declined Don't think me a fool be-
cause come here and make q confess
sion which can be nothing less than
mortifying. I'm doing it for Amy's
| sake"
For Amy's sake?' echoed Gordon.
''Ies; 1 want to see her happy, and
you are the man to make her SO.
She declined me on your account. Of
eouse I knew long ago that you were
my rival, but did not know until two
hours ago that you were the success
full one. You aren't worthy of her
and don't deserve her, but don't think
| for a moment that I believe myself
more worthy or more deserving.
pausing suddenly, Farleigh walked to
his friends side and laid a hand on
his shoulder. II can't understand
what you mean by leading Amy to be-
lieve that YOU care for her while all
the time dividing your attention with
Nell Forthdyke. Would you be in
human enough to break a heart as
loyal as Amy's?"
Don't get tragic, Tom. I'm not
going to break anybody's heart. Nell
is rich, you know"
'sAnd so are you," sneered Farleigh,
walking hurriedly to the door and
laying his hand on the knob, 'but
Amy Hepburn is poor. Society dares
you to wed with poverty. If you love
Amy, are you man enough to dare?
Examine into the financial condition
of the Hepburns, reflect upon what
caused their downfall in fortune and
then let me see if you are strong
enough to leap this Brahminical bar
rier of caste.''
With this parting shot Farleigh
passed quickly out of the room and
slammed the door behind him. Harry
Gordon gave vent to a long whistle,
settled himself back in chair and
thoughtfully lighted a cigar.
That was quite a jolt" he NUT
tered, looking upward through the
curling wreaths of smoke. How hap
py could be with either, were t'other
eharmer away. Its as sure as can
be that / love one and fancy the
other. But who will unraveI this Cor
dion knot? Which is it to be-Amy
or Nen?"
A knock fell on the door, not on
the outside door, but on door lead
ing into closet. Harry Gordon
stirred uncomfortably in his chair, a
veSed look coming into his eyes as he
fixed them upon the closet door. Aft.
ers a brief interval of silence the knock
was repeated.
Now, what in the world aroused
you?" cried Gordon
Business is business" came a hoI-
low voice from the other side of the
closet door. I'm here for purpose,
and if / do not make that purpose
manifest once in awhile you'll forget
all about me-"
This remark was followed by a
clanling, caehinnatory outburst that
seemed to CRATE harshly on Gordon's
ear.
"Well, what do you want?'' he
asked
L want to come out and show my
self. You know I'm here, but little
ocular demonstration won't come
amiss, [ take it. Remember, I'm
showing consideration for you. I
might have kicked open this door and
stalked out into the room But. /
didn't. raped"
Cant you put it off? Come out
tomorrow. I've got something else
to think about now''
''The high and mighty order of fam
lily skeletons are not in the habit of
playing second fiddle or taking back
seats for anybody. I'm coming at
once
''All right. then,'' groaned Gordon.
squaring himself about in his chair.
"Come on"
The closet door few open and
well-deyeloped skeleton strobe out
and dropped with a rattle into
chair. The cavernous eyes were
blankly expressive-to Gordon For
him also there was something sarcas-
tic in the grin of the feshless jaws.
Dust me off," said the skeleton. sI
want to show up as frightful as pos
sible tonight"
The request presented itself to Cor
don as command which he was pow
erless to disobey. Picking up a
feather duster, he piled it vigorously
about the cleaning white bones.
"Achoo!R he sneezed, dropping the
duster and falling into his chair.
"You ought not to neglect me.
said the skeleton. I'm one of the
family and should be treated as SUCH
Now, then. let's have chat
The skeleton crossed his bony legs
and settled back comfortably.
"WiI it do me any good to have
chat with you2" qneried Gordon,
'That remains to be seen. 1T used
to do your father good Why. it was
my custom to visit him every night.
AS he sat before that table writing
I'd sneak out of that closet, come
quietly up behind him and put an
arm caressingly around his neck. z
The I'll