The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-01-05

suppose you can imagine" sha said In
tone that threatened to become trem-
ulous. what sort Of an afternoon
we've been having up there"
Has it BEEN began.
"Oh. heartbreaking! Louise came to
my room as soon as they got back
from here this morning and told me
the whole pitiful story. But they
didn't let her stay there long, poor
woman
'TheyY' I asked.
"Oh, Elizabeth and her brother.
They've been at her all afternoon, OF
and on"
ITO do what?"
"To save herself so they call It.
They're insisting that she must not
see her poor husband again. They're
determined she shan't."
"But George wouldn't worry her,"
"Oh. wouldn't hep The girl laughed
sadly. II don't suppose he could help
1t, he's in such state himself, but
between him and Elizabeth it's hard
to see how poor Mrs. Hartman lived
through the day."
"Well," l said slowly, 81 don't see
that they're not right. She ought to
be kept out of all this as much as pos
sible, especially If her husband has to
go through trial."
"Are YOU the girl began, then
stopped for moment, looking at me
steadily. Aren't you little in love
with Louise Harman?"
EYES," answered honestly. aren't
you"
"Thats what L wanted to know"
she said, and as she turned a page in
the sketchbook- for the benefit Of Mr..
Percy l saw that her hand had begun
to tremble.
"Why?" l asked, leaning toward her
across the table.
Because If she were involved in
some ndertaking-somethin that. II
1t went wrong. would endanger her
happiness and, think. even her life,
for it might actually kill her If she
failed and brought on a worse catas-
trophe"-
"Yes?'. said anxiously as she paus-
ed again.
you'd help herr" she said.
81 would. indeed" assented earnest
~. II told her once I'd do anything in
the world for her."
even If it involved something that
George Ward might never forgive you
for?"
Il said anything in the world" I
returned. perhaps little huskily.
She gave low cry Of triumph, but
Immediately checked it. Then she
leaned far over the table. II wasn't
afraid to come through the woods
alone" she said in very low voice,
because wasn't alone. Louise came
with me-"
"What?' gasped. "Where is she?"
cat the Baudry cottage down the
road. They won't miss her at the
chateau until morning. locked her
door on the outside. and IL they 60 to
bother her again-though l don't think
they will-they'll believe she's fasten-
ed it on the inside and is asleep. She
managed to get note to Keredec late
this afternoon. 1t explained every
thing. and he had some trunks carried
out the rear gate of the inn and carted
over to Lisieux to be shipped to Paris
from there. 1t is to be supposed-or
hoped at least-that this woman and
her people will believe that means
Professor Keredec and Mr.. Hartman will
try to get to Paris in the same way"
$780," said, that's what Percy
meant about the trunks. l didn't I'M
derstand."
Hes on watch, you see," she con-
tinued. "Mr. Percyw She laughed
nervously. That's why it's almost
necessary for us to have you"
"If you have me for what?" asked.
"I'll help you"-and as she looked
up her eyes, now very close to mine,
were dazzling indeed-"I'll adore you
forever and ever! Oh, much longer
than you'd like me to-"
"You mean she's going to-
II mean that she's going to run
away with him again." she whispered.