The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-13

well known during the troublous days In
| New Orleans, a gentlewoman he might
say. whose birth and breeding were APP
| parent 10 the most casual observer,
/ Mrs. Fletcher. who had come To him for
advice, and who. through his recon-
mcndation' gladly given, had recently
| gone to a good position-a lucrative po-
sition-and a home at Gate city.
| Loring was politely interested. But
tcould the rector direct him 10 the house
| He would call at once and make inqui-
| ries. The rector could. OF course. but no
was aging. and he loved listener. lie
hated TO let hearer 20. Might he ask
IL Mr.. Loring was any connection OF
the general of that name so conspicuous
I'm the service of the south I'm the de-
fense OF their beloved old creole city be-
fore the hapless days OF Butler. though
he must concede 10 General Butler that
his vigorous administration OF municipai
affairs had cleansed and quarantined the
city as they had never seen II done b.
fore? The similarity OF name had sus-
gested the
None whatever that | know Of" said
Loring. finding IL necessary 10 interpose.
And where Is Mrs Fletcher's?"
"Ah. 20 be sure! Mrs. Fletcher Is the
name OF the lady who boarded there
awhile. but she has gone TO Gate City.
Mrs. Burton IL is--a worthy soul. Per-
haps indeed think a breath OF air will
do me good might walk around there
with you"
So despite the remonstrance In his sis
ter's eyes and Loring's respectful pro-
test the rector got HIS hat and linked his
arm In that Of the young athlete on his
left and led forth into the cleaning.
prattling all the way. Soon they reached
the cross street that led northward. par
allel with the bluff line at the west. and
against the twilight OF the northern sky
the scattered houses. the few struggling
saplings hopefully planted along the gut
ter, even the silhouetted figure OF a long
legged dog trotting across the road. were
outlined sharp and clear black against n
lemon sky that shaded away impercepti-
bly, into a faint violet. Long years after
Loring could see the picture. and how.
right I'm the midst OF II. there rose slow
" into view two black dots, the heads
evidently Of two pedestrians like them
selves ascending from the north. with
the whole wide Missouri valley at their
backs the pathway he and his geninlly
hating conductor were threading from
the south. with only this gentle rise be-
tween. then perhaps so yards away.
IL was interesting 10 the engineer 10
watch the gradual development of the
shadows against the sky, coming slowly
into view as the fairies rise to sweet
thrilling melody from underneath the
stage in the transformation scene of the
last act OF the pantomime and spectacu-
lar drama beloved OF our youth. Cour-
teously inclining his ear 10 the mono-
logue at his right, he kept his keen eyes
fixed upon those coming figures. Slowly
they rose one that OF slender dapper
young man. the other that OF a slender,
graceful girl. and the long arms OF the
former as they swung In sight were IN
energetic motion. I'm emphatic gesture.
Little by little the murmur at Loring's
right duled over his senses. Little by
little the slowly approaching figures
sharpened and fixed themselves upon his
sight, until when the pair could not |
have been more than 80 feet away the !
rector looked suddenly ND IN alarm as |
Loring halted short.
MY dear young friend. how thought |
less l am! Are you not we'll? What IL
wrong?''
A big wooden house in whose win |
iows the lights were feebly shining |
stood just a few PAGES back Of the fence. |
back OF the gate where now the pair |
was standing, In low whispered talk.
Eager and impetuous on part of the man.
doubtful and reluctant on part of the /
girl Then the former became suddenly |
aware that two men were standing only |
4 short distance away. observing.
Then good night" he said You |
think II over" And without raising his |
hat he turned sharply and went striding |
back the way they came. Only one |
glance did Loring give that receding /
igure but his eyes followed that of the /
girl. who SKINNED lightly up the steps
INTO the house. banging the door behind
her.
The rector was clinaing TO his arm
and looking into his face with much |
concern when Loring pulled himself to-
gether.
This Is Mrs Burton's." said he |
Let us enter Surely you need a glass
Of wine or-water," he added vaguely
Thank you. Mr.. Lambert. not-there. |
Let us turn about
(To be contnued)