The Delta independent., 1911-01-13
CHAPTER XIX.
A Saved Situation.

A Saved Situation.
He waited impatiently for her re-
turn. Bessie, he knew, might be in
one of the rooms just across the hall.
but, though Bessie was a trump, he
did not go to look for her. The girl
might come back at any moment-and
he did not wish to miss one instant
OF her presence.
Again he considered the miracle OF
/ her appearance in his life, and he re-
| joced that from the first, he bad been
able to be of service to her. Those
| loving. trusting words that she had
| just spoken-how they g.owed in his
| heart! She had known that he would
succeed! He could only think that
the secret telegraphy OF his love had
sent her messages of confidence.
/ And yet he did not even know her
name. The house was just such a one
as he might have imagined to be her
home-beautiful, with the air of
longer family tradition than is com
monty found in the middle west-un-
obtrusive but complete. And the fur
nishings OF the room in which he was
standing we're in quiet but perfect
taste.
On a table near him lay a book.
Mechanically he picked 1t up.
1t opened at the fly leaf Something
was written there-her name, per
haps.
He closed the cover without read
ing the inscription. conscious only Of
. line Of writing in . feminine hand
that might be hers or anothers. No.
he could wait The name did not
matter. She was his. and that was
enough.
Near the book lay An empty en-
velope, addressed to-he averted bis
eyes.
He found himself wondering wheth-
or Poritol was still kneeling In the
field, and whether Maku was still run
ming, and whether the Japanese min
lister was still telling charming stories
on the porch at Arradals.
And presently, when she came
again, her face radiant. and said soft
ly. You have done a great thing. my
dear"-when she said that. he could
only look and look and thank heaven
for his biessedness.
Where we're the papers when you
fooled me into leaving you?" she
asked.
"Arima had them. It's quite story,
girl. dear"
Then, wait little while" she Inter
rupted; I'VE have permission to see
the papers signed"
She led him through the adjoining
room and to the curtained doorway OF
a library-long. allowed, shelved with
books. and furnished with heavy leath
er chairs. In the center was large
table OF polished mahogany. upon
which rested reading lamp.
The glow of this lamp illuminated
the forms and faces of group of Sc
rious faced men-two seated, the 9th
, ers standing. In the golden hght
with the dim background OF shelves
surmounted here and there by vase
or q classic bust. the group impressed
Orme like a stately painting-a tab
.. leau distinguished by solemn dignity
: 1--WE are to remain here and keel
, very quiet" whispered the girl.
Orme nodded. His eyes we're fxet
on the face of man who sat at the
table, pen poised in his hand. Those
strong, straight features-the eyes
. | with lOoh vi ,cAi
= prehension, so like the girl's-the lips
eloquent in their calmness-surely thii
y was her father. But Orme's hear
= beat faster. for the face of this man
!. framed in its wavy hair. was familiar
A Where had he seen this man? Tha
they had never met. he felt certain
. unless, indeed, they had shaken hand
a in q casual and forgotten introduction
h Or was he led into a feeling of rec
ognition by the undoubted resem
n blance of father to daughter? No.
;, could not be that; and yet this man
or his picture-ah! The recognition
came to Orme in a fash.
This was the magnetic face that wa
=. now SO often appearing In the press
:, the face Of the great. the revered. tn
!. able statesman upon whom rested y
great part of the burden OF the cour
n. trys welfare. No wonder that Orm
n recognized It. for 1t was the face q
the secretary Of state! And the gir
was bis daughter.
:. ITO be continued.)