The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-29
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tention to what seemed then a most
trivial remark.
Along the, drive I showed -Halsey
where had found Roeie's basket with
the bits OF broken china piled inside.
He was rather akepucal.
Warner probably" he said when
had finished. Began II AZ a joke
on Rosie. and ended by picking up
the broken china out OF the road,
knowing It would play hob with the
tires Of the car" Which shows how
near one can come to tho truth, and
yet miss II altogether.
At the lodge everything waa quiet
There was light In the sitting room
down stairs. and a faint CLEAN, ms II
from a shaded lamp. in one OF the up
per rooms Halscy stopped and exam
ined the lodge with calculating eyes.
II don't know, Aunt Ray" he said
dubiously; this is hardly a wom-
ans affair. II there's a scrap OF any
kind. you hike for the timber" Which
was Halsey's soiicitous care for me.
put into vernacNar.
II shall stay right here ] said
and crossing the small yeranda, now
shaded and fragrant with honeysuc-
kle, l hammered the knocker on the
door
Thomas opened the door himself
1 HDmaE. IutIy uIGSNeu anu VI td%~
tomary health. | had the blanket
over my arm.
II brought the blanket, Thomas"
said: Il am sorry you are so ILL.,"
The old man stood staring at me
then at the blanket His confusion
under other circumstances would have
been lndlerous.
What. Not III ?" Haisey said from
the step. Thomas. I'm afraid you've
been malingering."
Thomas seemed to have been debat-
ing something with himself. Now he
stepped out on the porch and closed
the door gently behind him.
II reckon you bettah come In, Mis-
Innss." he said, speaking cautiously.
ITS got 80 | dunno what to do. and
It's boun' to come out some time er
ruther."
He threw the door open then. an
| stepped inside. Hslsey' close behind.
In the sitting room the old negro
turned with quiet dignity to Halsey
You bettah sit down. sah.' he said.
Its a place for woman, sab.
Things were not turning out the
way Halsey expected. He sat down
ON the center table. with his hands
thrust In his pockets, and watched
me as followed Thomas up the mar
row stairs. At the top a woman Was
standing. and second glance show
ed me 1t WAS Rosie. She shrank back
a. little, but | said nothing And then
Thomas mentioned To q partly open
door. and | went In.
The lodge boosted three bedrooms
upstairs all comfortably furnished.
In this one, the largest and airiest. a
nigh lamp was burning. and by It's
light | could make out a plain white
metal bed. A girl Was asleep there
or In half stupor. fer she NUT
tered something now. and then. Rosie
had taken her courage In her hands.
and coming in had turned UP the
light. 1t was only then that l knew.
Fever flushed. Ill as she was ] rec
ognized Louise Armstrong.
stood gazing down at her In n
stupor ~ amazement Louise here
hiding at the lodge, III and alone'
Rosie came up to- the bed and smooth
ed the white counterpart.
Il am afraid she is worse tonight.
she ventured at last. ] put my hand
| on the sick girls forehead. 1t was
burning with fever, and ] turned to
where Thomas fingered in the hall
way.
will YOU tell me- what you mean
Thomas Johnson. by not telling me
this before ?" | demanded Indignantly.
Thomas qIailed.
Mis- Louise wouldn't let me" he
said earnestly. II wanted "a. she
| ought to a had a doctor the nigh,
she came, but she wouldn' hear to IT,
Is she--is she very bad, Mis- Times -
bad enough ! said coldly. Send
Mr. lines up"
/ ITO Be Continued.l