The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-11-07
- WOULD
RATHER NOT"
tOriginal.

other. They were only two there be
ing neither mother nor brothers nol
sisters All Charlotte knew of hel
mother was what she had been given
to understand that she had died dur
ing CharIotte's infancy. Charlotte had
often tried to induce her father to tails
about her mother without success
She naturally inferred that his loss
was too great to dwell upon. Size had
also asked for Il picture of her mother
but was told that none was i'll posses
sion of the family.
Colonel Sears was wealthy and not
only gave his daughter everything she
needed or desired, but made her the
medium for what he bestowed in char
ity. Strangely enough. she took fan
cy to establish Il home for crrins WU1n
en--a small affair in which temporary
shelter and encouragement were given
to few who had been unfortunate
but who had not yet started on Il life
consequent upon their misfortune. Her
father was away when she conceived
this design, and when he returned he
tried in vain to diSSuade herfrom ii. Tut
she had Il strong will and was loatn
to yield. Besides, she had gone SO far
that in case she abandoned her home
all that had been invested wout be
a dead loss Her father consented. but
Charlotte could never persuade him to
enter the place. Indeed, it seemed 10
have some strong repulsion for him.
One day a carriage stopped at the
door of the Sears residence. y lacy en-
tered the house and asked to ser the
colonel. He was not at home, and the
maid took the message to Charlotte.
Charlotte went down into the room
where the lady was waiting. She
found a woman with Il sad face, from
which great beauty was fading. She
was richly dressed and in appearance
and manner Il lady.
Father is not at home" said Char
lotte. Can do anything for you:'
Il told the maid to announce me only
to your father. She did wrong to go to
you. No, you can't be of service to
me-"
Charlotte wondered what business
the lady might have with her father,
but was too well bred to ask. The
lady made no move to depart, but sat
looking at the girl, who stood before
her waiting 1t seemed to Charlotte
that she had very kindly face.
Il fear you are disappointed in no,
finding my father. If you Will give
7 fol
as he comes in that you have been
here, and he will call upon YOU"
''How are you getting on with your
home?' asked the lady without MOTTO
ing the offer.
My home? You mean the home for
isn't mine; | only manage it, Father
has given all the money for it,
You mean, l suppose. by unfor
tunates, girls who have sinned without
suspecting that they We're SHINING, pure
in mind and impure under the law.
Would you take in one who had trans
crossed the law i,nowingly?'
Il would rather not
The lady WINGED.
care sou very happy" she asked
presently.
Il have nothing to make me unhap
py."
Your father is very good to You.
He is good man."
every one agrees with you in that
"And your mother-was she Il good
woman toO!'
Charlotte's happy expression at hear
ing her fathers praises left her. Il
know nothing of my mother" she said.
Nobody seems sufficiently Informed of
her to satisfy my craving for kroWl-
edge of her. But I'm sure she must
have been good woman
"Why|'
''Well, father seems to feel her loss
so keenly. He hasn't the heart to speak
of her.
The lady was silent for time. Her
eyes were wandering, lighting occa-
sionally OF Charlotte with an express
sion that Charlotte could not fathom.
Presently she said:
''Your mother was good woman"
''You knew herr"
"Well"
This was the last word the visitor
spoke. She arose. Charlotte begged
her to tell her more, but resolute eX-
preston came over the visitors face,
and she went out without looking back.
"Who shall l say called?" asked
Charlotte. But there was no response
The lady got into her carriage, and
as Charlotte listened to the sound of
wheels she felt that her
longing for more information Oh the
subject nearest her heart would never
be gratifed.
Later Colonel Sears called at the
home of the woman who had visited
him.
"You were at the house yesterday"
he said.
Eyes. I had an important announce
ment which intended to make to your
daughter, explaining all to her. but /
could not do it,
what announcements
1.-THE man the law called my hus-
band has died in the asylum. where