The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-02-16


given nim snot out as If blown from
4 gun. Then. We prepared to 60 back
10 the station. ~'~s
From where stood I could look
into the CHEEKY farm kitchen, where
Alison West and had eaten our 81
fresco {. breakfast looked At
the table with mixed emotions, and
then, gradually, the meaning Of some
thing on 1t penetrated my mind. Still
In its papers, evidently just opened.
was a hat box, and protruding over
the edge Of the box was streamer Of
vivid green ribbon.
On the plea that ! wished to ask
Mrs. Carter . few more questions, I
let the others 60 on. I watched them
down the nagptone yak: saw Nc
knight stop And examine the gate
posts and saw. too. the quick glance
he threw back at the house. Then I
| turned to Mrs. Carter.
II would like to speak to the young
lady upstairs" I said.
She threw up her hands with 3
quick gesture Of surrender. 1--WE done
| al COUA0p ouo cACAeAuAeO. 0AO
won't like 1t very well. but-she's in
the room over the parlor."
went eagerly up the ladder-like
stairs, to the rag-carpeted hall. Two
doors were open, showing interiors Of
four poster beds and high bureaus.
The door Of the room over the parlor
was almost closed. I hesitated in the
hallway; after all, what right had
to intrude on her? But she settled my
difficulty by throwing open the door
and facing me.
IL beg your pardon. Miss West,
stammered. 1T has just occurred
j, to me that l am unpardonably rude.
saw the hat downstairs and Il
!. guessed"
, 1.-THE hiatt" she said. II might hav'
} known. Does Richey know an
here?"
II don't think So" l turned to g
down the stairs again. Then halted
1.-THE fact is" said, in an attempt a
Justification. "Tm in rather mes
these days, and I'm apt to do IRE
sponsible things. 1t is not impossible
that shall be arrested, in a day o
go. for the murder of Simon Harrinl
1 ton"
She drew her breath in sharply
Murder" she echoed. Then the
have found you after all"
| 81 don't regard 1t a. anything NOR
-er-inconvenient," lied. "The
can't convict me, you know. Almos
all the witnesses are dead"
She was not deceived for momen
She came over to me and stood, bot
hands on the rail of stair. 81 kno
| just how grave it is," she said quie
ly. my grandfather will not leave or
stone unturned, and he can be terrib
> terrible. But"-she looked direct
into my eyes as stood below her c
'e the stairs-"the time may come
soon-when can help you. T.
n afraid l shall not want to; I'm
a dreadful coward, Mr.. Blakeley. B.
Il will" She tried to smile.
It. "1 wish you would let me help you
,e I said unsteadily. Let us make it
ut bargain; each help the other!"
IN The girl shook her head with a s;
I'd little smile. 81 am only as unhapl
X as I deserve to be-" she said. Al
when l protested and took step
rs ward her she retreated, with h
We hands out before her.
by "Why don't you ask me all the que
av tons you are thinking?" she demar
be ed. with a catch in her voice. &C
I know them. Or are you afraid
", ask"
oil I looked at her, at the lines arou
ed her eyes, at the drawn look about
q. mouth. Then I held out my hal
or Afraid" I said, as she gave me he
hi There is nothing in Gods gre
en- earth I am afraid of. save Of trout
to for you. To ask questions would
nd to imply a lack Of faith. ask y
nj nothing Some day. perhaps, you v
70 come to me yourself and let me h
let ysu."
20. The next moment was out In
eM golden sunshine; the birds were 81
me ing carols of Joy; walked dlzz
Is drought rainbow colored clouds, p
the twins, cherubs now, swinging
~ the gate. 1t was new world i
MS which l stepped from the Carter fa
elo house that morning, for-I had kis
1eo her!
inc
CHAPTER XIX.
1en
10 At the Table Next.
ely Mcknight and Hotchkiss W
Ike sauntering slowly down the road g
caught up with them. AS usual,