The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-09-04
CHAPTER XIV.

At the close Of a misty day Jim Tay-
Tor stood at the parlor door to take
his leave of Mrs. Cranceford. During
the slow hours of the afternoon they
had talked about Louise, or sitting in
silence had thought of her; and now
at parting there was nothing to be add
ed except the giants hopeful remark,
81 believe we'll hear from her tomor-
row; | am quite sure Of it," Repeti-
ton may make a sentiment trite, and
into a slangish phrase may turn a wise
truism, but words spoken to encourage
an anxious heart do not lose their
freshness. Eyes, l am quite sure of
It," he repeated. And the next day
the captain of a steamboat had sent
it over from a woodward. The boat
was an ~unimportant craft and Its name
was new ever to the negroes at the
landing, which, indeed, must have ar
gued that the vessel was making it's
first trip on the Arkansas. The COM
munication was brief, but it was filled
with expressions of love. 81 am be-
ginning to make my way" the writer
said, land when I feel that I have
completely succeeded, / will come
home. My ambition now is to surprise
you, and to do this I must keep myself
in the dark just a little longer. l have
tried to imagine myself a friendless
woman, such as l have often read
about, and I rather enjoy it. Love to
Jim"
The Major was in his office when
the letter was brought, and thither his
wife fastened to read it to him.
what Is it," he asked as she en-.
tered the room. "a letter from
Louise? don't want to hear it."
"John."
81 don't want to hear another crazy
screed from her. Where is she? Is
she coming home? Read it."
During the reading he listened with
one hand cupped behind his ear
though his hearing was not impaired
and when the last word had been
pronounced, he said: Likes to be
mysterious, doesn't she? Well, l hope
she'll get enough of it. If her life has
been so much Influenced by sympathy
why has she felt none of that noble
quality for us? Where is she?"
THE letter doesn't say. 1t is moi
ayan JotoJ onl IL &c nnt nnct. m q rlxp6 y
Ibid it come in a gale? Was IL
blown out of a mysterious cloud?"
ut came from the woodward. and
the man who brought it said that il
had been left by the captain of the
Mill-Boy, a new boat, they say"
"Well, it's devilish-"
"John."
81 say it's very strange. Enjoys be
ing mysterious. l wonder if she
equally enjoys having the ~neighbors
talk about her? Sends love to Jim
Well, that isn't so bad. You'd better
have some one take the letter over tC
him.
81 sent him word by the man who
brought the letter that we had heard
from her."
No further did the Major question
her, but taking up a handful OF &C
counts, he settled himself into thu
p~reoccupation in which she had found
him, but the moment she went out ant
closed the door, he got out of his chail
and with his hands behind him, walk
ed up and down the room. At the win
dow he halted, and standing there
looked down the river, in the direc
ton of the cape of sand WHEREOF
Louise had stood. that day when Pen
nington coughed in the library door,
and in his mind the old man saw her
with her hands clasped over her brown
head. He mused owe the time tina
had passed since then. the marriage
the death, the dreary funeral; an(
though he did not reproach himself
yet he felt that could he but recall
that day he would omit his foolisl
plea of %gallantry.
For the coming of Jim, Mrs. GRANGE