The Mena weekly star., 1909-09-02

was sla reflection of sAe iovs cyeragHius her heart. Her oval cheeks, ana th'V lips were crimson. Removing Ter am, tsen Elba 's waist she e,aspea her han IA in Aa sessacy of happiness
 "Dcnt you suppose Guardy VII bs anxicas until he hears of your safet, Of course he knows the fate of tse Matches" l"
 Certainly he will. This very eay l will send him message
 Write it, and I win see tlat it is sent From the parior Mrs. Sande led the way to her private rooms. When there, she motioned the girl to the cha by the desk.
 Will you not add one more favor to the long list and write it for mcg'' Lura smiled seduetiyely.
 With pleasure " Elba sat down to the desk, and took up the rea. More, and more, she felt the strange magnet. ism radating from the little thin body. About the g.rl-ugly as Elba had at st thought her-was something name less, but strangely forceful Something far more compelling than mere beauty of feature.
 What shall sayg" Elba looked en. quiringly at her guest.
 :" Just say, Guardy, I am safe, and well. Lura.' That's all that neces- sary." The girl turned her attention to Brave, and Jocko, who were playing in the room
 "And Guardy will get it of course. {" Elba laughed. By what name does the world know Cseardy'"
 ''To be sure'' pausng in her romp wish tae monkey and dog, you must have hs address. Hugh Bsent Lawrence, ll59 South Broadway, New York. Stop Jocko, you are tearing tho lace on my sleeve. It belongs to your mistress.
 Fortrrately, the girl vss too much in- terested in her game to notice the Tal- Tor that oycrspread j3lba s face, and the expression of ran that came to tls shadowy brown eyes. Nor did she hear the little stifed cry that broke from her lips. The pen fell from her trembling fingers to the desk The sound of ths girl Is voice, and tie bark of the dor, seemed far away, and indistinct For a moment, Elba thought she WAS going to faint, but with an effort, sue rega nel control of her feelings, the momentary weakness passed, and she again took u9 the ren, but her trembling fnge,s refus. ed to grasp it. Laying it aside, S 9 said quietly, Suppose you writel It will be more satisfactory" She yaeate l the chair, and motioned the girl to it.
 s'I will write. And at the same time we will send a message to your lauye-, in New Orleans, and have him seek for Elise, and if alive, send her to me with some clothing
 Elba never knew how she passed through the ordeal, but she did some way. The business was attended to, the girl chattering Ike magpie all the while, too absorbed in her own affairs to nct'ce the strange change in her hos.ess
 The miserable woman vas truly flank full when sAe could esea,e to her bel room. and lock the door, She fell across the bed as though utterly exhausted, and buried her face among the pillows Not sob passed her cold lips. Her eyes were dry, and glitterlng. Only the white face. and clinched hands, and the deep cned sHa5ow in the beautiful eyes, gave any egiderce of the fierce rattle sae WAS fighting. Only God and sAe kneH
 "The wages of sin is death" Again, and aean she repeated the words. " But th's is wo SC than death. To die, would be a relief Oh, that this should come jrst when I had resolved to make him happy He has found happiness, inde- pendent of me- I might have known that he would marry, but l was fool enough to think he would live for me. Truly, have I barred the gates against the hap piness that might have been m'ne." See lay very quiet while the day waned, and shadows gathered in the room. To Aunt Debby's call she replied that she was sick, and wished no supper. Aunt Debby must care for their guest, and make her excuses.
 When sAe appeared at breakfast, in dainty morning robe, only the faithful old servant suspected what battle she lad fought Only Aunt Debby knew of the s,eepless night. Her loyal heart aehed for her child, ignorant though she was of this latest grief.
 Elba greeted her guest with her usual smile, and sweet grace of manner. A message came that day, saying that Elise had been located, and would be up on the next steamer.
 Mrs. Sanders, and Miss Devigney, were going down to the landing to meet inc French maid. Brave and Jocko were in attendance, making frequent trips to the gate. and back to the s.ers, where .ha,r mistress stood na.ting for her tardy guest.