Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-11
CHAPTER II.
FACE TO FACE WITH FATE.


CHAPTER II.
FACE TO FACE WITH FATE.
Three weeks before Christmas CASTOR
began to dream of the visit he was TO
make to Independence to see Sallie
Worth. How long 1t seemed since she
had kissed him in the twilight of that
Pullman car and the limited had rolled
away bearing her further and further
from his life. He would sit now for an
hour reading her lest letter, looking at
her picture on his desk and dreaming OF
what she would say when he sat by her
side again in her own house.
And then like a thunderbolt out of
clear sky came a fearful letter announc-
ing another storm at home. Her father
had again forbidden her to write. She
said, at the last, that Gaston's visit must
be postponed indefinitely for the present.
He gazed at the letter with a hardened
look.
'I will go. I'll race General Worth in
his own home, and demand his reasons
for such treatment. 1 am man. 1 am
entitled to the respect of a man." He
made this declaration with quiet force
that left no doubt about his doing It,
He wrote Sallie that he could not and
would not endure such a fight In the dark
with the general, and that he was going
to Independence on the day before Christ
mas as he had planned at first, to have
She wrote in reply and begged him I'M
der no circumstances to come until condi-
tiohs were more favorable. He got this
letter the day before he was to start.
"I'H go and I'll see him If l have to
fight my way into his house, that's all
there is to it!' he exclaimed.
When he reached Independence, ST.
Clare met him at the depot, and gave him
an eager welcome.
i've been expecting you, you hard
headed fool!' he said impulsively.
well your words are not equal to
your handshake. What's the matter?"
asked CASTOR.
you know what's the matter. Miss
Sallie has been to see me this after
noon, and begged me to chain you at my
house If you came today"
w ell yo,. II need handouts, and help
to get them on" replied CASTOR. with
quiet decision. ri ~
Look here, old boy you're not going
down to that house tonight with the old
man threatening to kill you on sight. and
your girl bordering on collapsed"
II am. i've been bordering on collapse
for some time myself. I'm getting used
to it." ta ee~,
You're a fool" u.
Granted, but I'll risk IT.
but, man, tell you Miss Sallie win be
furious with you If you go after all the
messages she has sent you"
I'm risk the fury too
Castor, let me beg you not to do it,
I'm going, Bob. 1t isn't any. use for
you to waste your breath
You know where my heart is, old
chum,' said Bob. yielding reluctantly. Il
couldn't go down to, that house tonight
under the conditions you are going for
the world"
Its a dangerous thing to do. Fathers
have killed men under such conditions
Ill aN~Tr
as can brush up little
Bob walked with him to the outskirts
of the city begging him in vain that he
should turn back. but he never Stacked
| his pace.
When he turned to go home. Bob press
ed his hand and said: Good luck! And
may your shadow never grow less"
CASTOR walked rapidly on toward Oak
wood. AS he passed through the shadows
of the forest near the gate, a flood of
tender memories rushed over him. He
was back again by her side on that morn
ing he met her, with the first flush Of
love thrilling his life. He could see her
looking earnestly at him as though try
ing to solve a riddle. He could hear her
laughter full of joy and happiness. AS he
turned into the gateway the house flash
ed on him its cleaning windows from
the hill top. He felt his heart sink with
! bitternessas he realized the contrast Of
coined guest and his present unbidden
intrusion. Once those lights cleaned on
ly a message of peace and love- Now they
seemed signals of war some enemy had
set on the hill. to warn of his approach.
He paused a moment and wiped the
perspiration from his brow. 1t was
Christmas eve. but the air was balmy and
spring-lil5e and his rapid walk tired him.
He had eaten nothing all day, had slept
only few hours the night before, and
the nerve strain had been more than he
knew
He looked up at the great white pillars
softly shining in the starlight, and sick
ening fear Of a possible tragedy behind
those doors crept over him.
MY God" he exclaimed 1 had rather
charge a breastworks in the face of
flashing guns than to go into that house
tonight and meet one mani
He recognized the breach of the finer
amenities of life involved in forcing his
way into a home under such conditions,
and 1t Inundated him for moment.
I'VE will not sickle for forms now"
he said to himself firmly. This is war.
am TO uncover the batteries of my enc
my. l have hesitated long enough. will
not fight in the dark another day."
AS he stepped brisl1ly up to the door,
he started at a sudden thought. What
| if the general had ordered the servants to
slam the door in his face! The possibility
Of such an unforeseen insult made the
cold sweat break out over his face as he
rang the bell. No matter, he was in for
it, he would face hell If need be!
He waited but an instant. and heard
the heavy tread of a man approach the
door. Instinctively he knew that the gen.
eral himself was on guard. and would
open the door. Evidently he had expected
him.
The door opened about two feet and
the general glared at him livid with rage.
He held one hand on the door and the
other on it's facing and his towering fig
ure filed the space.
Good evening, general!' said CASTOR
with embarrassment.
What do you want. sir?' he growled.
81 wish to see you for few minutes"
"Well l don't want to see you"
whether you wish to or not, you must
do it sooner or later" answered CASTOR
with dignity.
Indeed! Your insolence is sublime, I