Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1907-01-10
CHAPTER III.-contInu.d.

was not satan hurled from niBn
heaven for resisting authority"
She pointed. caught him by the
lapels OF his coat and prettily tried
10 shake him.
Nov, nowl stop Il at once, and
come TO the house. I've been tending
your father and mother, and I'm go.
Eng to tend you. What you need d.
rectly is food. Your look may be
holy, but l prefer full cheeks. Not
another word until you have eaten
every crumb I put before YOU"
With an air OF captor, daintily
1ierce. she led him toward the house
and up to the door. which she pushed
open before him.
'Come softly, your mother may be
still asleep-no. your father is talking
--llstenl"
A querulous voice, rough with
strong feeling. came from the inner
room.
Here, tell you. is the prophecy
of Joseph to prove It, away back In
1892"
He broke OF, for the girl came lead.
ing In the son. who. as soon as he
saw the white-haired old man with
mis- open book, sitting beside the vast.
ed woman on the bed, few to them
with a glad cry.
They embraced him and smoothed
and patted him, TREMENDOUSLY, feebly.
with broken thanks for his safe re-
turn. The mother at last fell back
upon her pillow. her eyes shining with
the Joy of a great relief, while the
father was seized with At OF cough
tng that cruelty racked his gaunt
frame and left him weak but smiling.
The girl had been placing food upon
the table.
Come, JOEL" she urged, you must
eat-we have all breallfasted, so you
must sit alone, but we shall watch
you"
She pushed him into the chair and
filled his plate. in spite of his pro-
tests.
And now we must be about our
preparations for the journey. The
time is short--who is that?"
He sprang to the door. Outside,
quick steps were heard approaching.
The girl, who had risen In some con.
fusion. stood blushing and embar-
raised before him. The mother rose
feebly on her elbow to reassure him.
"'Tis Capt. Girnway. laddie. Have
no alarm-he has befrlended us. But
for him we should nave been put out
two days ago, without shelter and
without care. He let us be housed
here until you should come"
There was knock at the door, but
- IL -. a. 4
words OF Seth Wright were running
roughshod through his mind. He
Cooked sharply at Prudence.
"A mobocrat-our enemy-and you
have taken favors from him--a minion
of the devil?-shame!"
The girl looked up.
''He was kind; you don't realize
that he has probably saved their
lives. Indeed. you must let him In
and thank him."
mot II"
The mother interposed hurriedly.
Eyes. yes, laddiel You know not
how high-handed they have been.
They expelled all but us, and some
they have maltreated shamefully.
This one has been kind TO US. Open
the door,"
Il dare not face him--I may not
contain myself"
The knock was repeated more loud
ay. The girl went up to him and put
her hands on his shoulders 10 draw
him away.
BE reasonable" she pleaded. in
low tones, 'and above all. be polite
10 him"
She put him gently aside and drew
back the door. On the threshold
smiled the young captain. His cap
was doifed. and his left hand rested
easily on the hilt of his sword. He
stepped inside as one sure Of his vel.
come.
Good morning. Miss Prudence.
good morning. Mr.. Rae. good morn
ing. madam-good morning"
He looked questioningly at the
stranger. Prudence stepped forward.
'''rhis Is Joel Rae. Capt. Girnway."
They bowed, somewhat stitiy. Each
was dark, Each had face to attract
women. But the captain was az peace
with the world. neatly uniformed.
well fed. eIean-shaven. smiling. pleas
ant TO look upon, while tho other was
unshaTen. hollow-cheeked, gaunt,
roughly dressed. thing that had been
hunted and was now under ban. Each
was at once sensible Of the contrast
between them. and each was At ones
affected BY Il; the captain 10 a creator
1auntlness a more efluslye aiRahlllty;
the other TO a ston;eF sternnesa
X Am glad 70 know you have come,