The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1908-07-03
ford. He stepped to the windows and

ford. He stepped to the windows and
drew the blinds closely.
"Now that have you safe" he said,
lightly, 9TH confess | had an old
WOman's scare. 1t came to me that
as long as YOU are not, strictly speak
ing, on kind and loving terms with
every one west Of the river-and this
being such an all-round nasty night
anyway, why, Id just spirit you home
and give the charged atmosphere a
chance of clearing little.'
Gordon looked at him steadily a
moment. His face did not pale. Yet
he knew that Langford had heard
or Uspected-mOre than he intended
to tell-then. 1t was good to see him
shrug his shoulders in unconcern for
the sake of the two whitefaced girls
who sat there in his stiff office chairs.
you are an old duffer, Paul" he
said, in pretended annoyance. You
treat me like child. | won't stand
it always. Youth see. Some day III
-and-then-"
Meanwhile, I'll just trot these
ladies back to the hotel" said Lang.
ford. But you must promise to keep
your head inside. We're fixtures until
We have that promise"
what, lCck me up and run off with
all the ladies. | guess not. Why
didn't we round up that way, Id like
to know? This isn't Utah. Paul. You
cant have both"
Paul meant for him to lie low, then.
He was also In hurry to get the girls
away. Evidently the danger lay here.
There was Tightening Of the firm
mouth and an OminOus contraction of
the pupils of the eyes. He stirred the
fire, then damned a huge, knetted
stick into the sheet-irOn stove. 1t
seemed as If everybody had sheet-iron
stoves in this country. The log caugh!
with a pleasant roar as the draught
sent flames leaping up the chimney.
But Paul made no movement to go.
Then he, Gordon, had not understood
his friend Maybe the menace was
not here, but outside If so, he must
contrive to keep his guests interested
here. He would leave the lead to
Paul. Paul knew. He went back to
his living-rOom and returned, bringing
two heavy buggy robes.
You will find my bachelor way OF
living very primitive" he said, with
his engaging smile. He arranged the
robes over two Of the chairs and
pushed them close up to the stove.
Il haven't an easy chair in the house
prove it by Paul, here. Haven't
time to rock and cant afford to run
the risk Of cultivating slothful habits.
Take these, do he urged. and re-
move your coats"
Thank you-you are very kind"
said Louise. "No, I won't take off my
jacket" a spot of color staining her
cheek when she thought of her gay
kimono. Involuntarily, she felt Of her
throat to make sure the muffler had
not blown awry. I'VE shall be going
soon, shan't we, Mr. Langford? II
Mr.. Gordon is in any danger, you must
stay with him and let us go alone. 1t
is not far"
Surely" said Mary, with big sink
ing of the heart, but meaning what
she said.
Not at all" said Gordon, decidedly.
IT'S just his wOmanish way of boss.
ing me. I'll rebel some day. Just
wait! But before you go, III make
tea You must have gotten chilled
through.
He would keep them here a while
and then let them go-with Langford.
The thought made him feel cheap and
cewardly and sneaking Far rather
would he step out boldly and take his
chances. But if there was to be any
shooting, it must be where Louise
and Mary, too-was not. He believed
Paul, in his zeal, had exaggerated evil
Omens, but there was Louise in his
bachelor r0om-Where he had never
thought to see her; there with her
cheeks flushed with the proximity to
the stove-his stove-her fair hair
wind-blown. No breath Of evil thing
must assail her that night-that night,
when she had glorified his lonely habi-
tation-even though he himself must
stink into corner like a cowardly
(To Be Continued)
A Hard Task.
Chicago man tells Of q racidanf ~