The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-11-27

ment, were eloquent to Bartlett. He
knew that this girls life from mo-
ment to moment was held to Il de-
termined standard of calmneSS by an
unresting heroism, and when he re-
membered that she had come to this
sad state through the mere exercise
Of helpful kindness his soul cried out
against the government of the uni
verse. She was cousin to Carvers
wife; she had gone TO that house of
atfiictiOn because she was needed
there and for no other reason.
Celia sat in his office all the rest of
the day. At half past 5. when Bartlett
went aboard the sound steamer with
all his worries on his back and the
pale, silent girl for sole companion he
was conscious of a depression of spir
its such as he had never felt before.
They had some dinner by and by,
and perhaps the food was good for
Bartlett. At any rate. in the course
of the meal he was vouchsafed a reve-
lation. He perceived that Celia'S pres
ence was not depressing; he had been
ioDoi AIeS uhdCI lCCOuCGlk GU 1uSd vi
what her effect upon him ought to be.
in view of her condition. and this
false notion had completely fooled
him. In reality she had not uttered a
complaint all day. She had express
ed no Respondent view, but had gen
| lily striven to dispe the gloom between
them. all of which had emanated from
! himself
Upon my word" said he, looking
across at her. you are very cheerful
young woman
I'm comparison with whom?"
Myself"
She nodded her head and smiled at
him.
| Il am a good deal worried" said he.
This business of mine in Boston sits
on me like an Observation-Disclosures that
| is"
| II am sorry" said she.
Perhaps be had looked for a little
! curiosity. and perhaps the china blue
eyes read this in his face for she tact
fully asked a leading question, and he
told his story. There were few peo
| pie in the world with whom be would
have spoken as frankly.
The trouble is" said be in conclu-
sion, that | dare not 60 directly to
| the president of the bank He's a tar
tar, and this particular kind of re-
newal is his pet aversion. But if
can have the matter put up to him in
just the right light by a friend of
mine (and a pet of his, inside the
bank the thing will go through. l don't
want Boland even to know that came
bank. | wouldn't have him know it
for a thousand dollars"
MIR. Boland is the president"'
Eyes"
Suppose you should meet him on the
street." she suggested.
Il should dodge into the nearest open
door," said he If he saw me in Bos-
ton at this time he'd know what was
there for, and he doesn't like wirepull-
ing inside bis bank"
II don't like wirepulling anywhere"
said Celia. Il think you should meet
Mr.. Boland deliberately
mot for gold and precious stones"
Il have feeling that you WILL" she
insisted, land don't like the idea
that you're afraid Of him"
Il don't like it myself" said be- but
am
Then you'll surely meet him. | new
err dare to be afraid of anything for
fear that it will happen
II admit there's something in it, said
he.
Celia retired to her stateroom early,
and Bartlett went down to the main
deck. where in the girls absence he
relapsed into gloom and consoled him
self with strong cigars.
A streaky fog lay on the sound. In
the thicker places the steamer would
slow down as if bewildered, and her
whistle would exchange impatient
blasts of nautical conversation with
other whistles A human irritation
seemed to animate these tones.
Bartlett thought of Celia lying
awake and listening to the mournfui
and alarming chorus. Tenderness
came to his heart. He regretted that
/ he had not been kinder to her; that he
had not spoken eheerier words at their
parting.
"All the human sense and goodness
have gone out of me-" he growled. Il
am the wreck of what | was"
It was past II when he went to his
stateroom. and he sat for long time
| on the edge Of his berth, thinking
despondently of the morrow. The whis-
/ tie was now doing its worst. and the
answers were more petuIent. He dis
/ tfnguished one voice among them that
seemed angrier than the others. and it
drew constantly nearer. Then for an
interval he missed that voice. Silence
reigned for perhaps no more than a
i minute, but It seemed much longer.
Bartlett rose to his feet-he knew not
| why.
In the depths of the vessel he heard
a bell strike once. The vibration of