The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-03-19
ILLUSTRATED
BY g
AMnz


ers were dining, and everywhere as
they went she was recalled to the
sterner things of life by a converse
ton which had no other topic than
war. Here and there she recognized
men occupying more or less respon-
sib!e positions in the government, and
few whose uniforms proclaimed
them to be officers of the army and
navy These latter seemed discussing
the situation from more confidential
viewpoint, and held their heads close
together now and then as if fearful
that others might overhear their
whispered comments.
"All criticising the government
Guy muttered, indicating one group
with slight nod of his head. They
can't understand it any more than we
can"
She looked at him sharply as if
about to speak, and then after an in
stant's hesitation closed her half.
parted lips and advanced to the seat
she desired. A white-clad waiter
served them and deferentially brought
newspaper still wet from the press
Thought you'd like to see the latest
extra. sir" he explained, as he left
them; and Hitler, with a look OF
WEAKNESS, glanced at the headlines
and laid it aside.
Same old thing he commented,
in reply to her look of inquiry. The
Gazette has just learned that not even
coaling orders have been issued, and
| this from no less a person than the
| secretary Of the navy, who has been
goaded into free speech by the con
slant pricks of criticism. | wonder if
these people are insane?'
Guy she retorted, Il don't think
| it altogether fair to speak of the men
at the head of the government as in
sane until they have been proved in
error Let's talk of something else. y
And he. worried and tired of the
topic. was glad to lead into more per
sonal subjects He thought of the
old inventor whom he had not seen
for months.
How is your father now?' he
asked rs he improving in health
and where is he?"
For the first time she showed some
embarrassment He watched her, anC
as she heSitated before answering be
gan to wonder If there was not some
thing concerning Roberts which SHIT
was endeavoring to conceal from him
"Oh, he is well, but very overworket
and tired" she replied finally.
But you haven't answered all m,
question" he insisted You haven
told me where he is
She remained silent. toying wit
one of the rings upon her hand an
u looking out through the vines t
where the lights of the city gleame
r below and stretched out into tn
blackness beyond.
o Norm" he said. leaning towar
her, lis there anything wrong wit
Y him? All your letters come froI
q Miami There's a sanatorium Their
s. 1t can't be that your father is
a "No-no-no: it isn't that" she +
Al piled, but with a look of such Apr
hension that he almost doubted HI
It for the first time in all their frien
ID ship. Father is all right, only he hi
Is worked very hard, and Oh, plea:
don't insist on my telling you al
d. more. Believe me, should be frar
n with you, of all persons in the worl
ar If | could; but can't be-quite."
s. Impulsively he stretched his ham
It. across the table and seized hers. II
to hum of conversation had died out
to the room back OF them, most of d
sn diners having departed. 1t had grow
at so quiet that they could hear t
ny strains of band from one of t
parks, playing as gayly as If war W
ed an unknown contingency.
er Norm" he said pleadingly, ia
lis me into your full confidence! Il
sc me what it is that troubles 70
at Something does, I'm sure. have re
or it in your letters, and in your ey
ot when you come to me. Let me sh1
to it with you! You know | love yt
lid and a part of love is to share ca
&c. others troubles.
He tried to hold her hands; but $
he withdrew them tremblingly. 5
we turned her face away toward
alf lights of the night, without looki
his at him. For what seemed long til
he waited. "Oh, wish you had I
on said that to me-just yet" she
Ter swered at length. "Yoa make it W
I'd. hard for. both OF us now. | want TO
ny honest with you, want to give you
EN- confidence and my-but ! cant.
asst can't tell you anything. You M
me wait"
nv ITO RE CONTINUED.)