The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-11-23
This vessel was due on che morn

BY the time that Willy was ready TO
20 cut to breakfast next morning 1t
was o O'Clock, and as the hour struck
there came q violent ringing OF the
bell at the door OF his apartment. He
opened t. and Priscilla rushed In. d
newspaper in her hand,
"uh, this Is dreadful" she cried.
What shall we do2 Mother has read
this
She thrust the paper into his hand
and pointed TO a loaded paragraph
which ran az follows, being part of
wireless message from the Carin-
thia;
Granville Bailey. who was private sec
rotary TO Irving Sweetser and went abroad
somewhat hastily when Sweetzer got into
trouble. Is not among the Carfnthia's pas
sengers. though he was supposed To have
sailed on this vessel.
Willy cast one glance upon Priscilla.
and all thoughts except OF comfort
and assistance vanished from his
mind.
.oh, that's all right" he said. 'Of
course your brother wouldn't sail TN.
der his own name He'd be inter.
viewed aud all that sort of thing.
which he'd naturally desire to avoid,
But he's aboard. Just tell your moth.
er not to worry for a minute"
"You tell herr exclaimed the girl,
"She has so much confidence I'm you"
why. with pleasure--of course" he
said. There cant be the least doubt
of 1t, you know"
Mrs. Bailey was sitting up. support.
ed by pillows and clutehing the bed
clothes with both hands. as if they
typitled the world from which she was
slipping away But the instant that
her eyes lighted on Willy Reeds face
she felt an accession of courage.
I'm SO sorry you were startled"
said Willy. "but this is just the very
best thing that could have happened,
OF course your son Is aboard the yes
sci. but not under his own name be-
cause of the reporters and other nut
sanees that would infest his path"
But why should he send such \
message at alls'' said Mrs Rslley,
1T sounds 30 strange"
HE sent It because he was asksd. :
said Willy. 'sThis paper made an In.
quiry,"
II didn't think OF that" said she,
Naturally | know little about these
matters
Il was illustrator on newspaper
for quite long time said Willy.
adding enc more lie to his list. and I
know Just how It's done. go dcn's
give yourself a moments uneasiness."
He took his leave, aud Priscilla fol
lowed him into the hall.
How do you do tip she said. la
admiration.
"EhS" he cried, startled, Il beg
your pardon. Do whaty'
Inspire such confidence. ] might
have talked to mother till was blue
In the face, and you--you did 1t ali
with a word Is 1t because you are
SO naturally truthful and sineeref'
I'll think not" said Willy. "it
must be something else"
Il thank you so much. You see,
mother simply Hives for Granville's re
turn. she has lost all hope OF recov.
cry
But she's going 10 SCI well. for oil
that" said he. There can't be 4
doubt OF 1t"
is her illness like your aunt'sf"
Willy had forgotten for the moment
that he had an aunt whom his sisters
we're supposed to be taking care of
but he remembered In time.
Just precisely. he said, "hut abe
had 1t verse. And now she's getting
along splendidly The doctor writes
thar her health will be better than
ever
soh. wish you'd let me show thai
letter to MOTHER
II will if can find It, said he.
He ate very .hasty breakfast and
returned TO his apartment. where b.
paced the aoor In trouble with his con
science.
How did get into this hahitrs hi
groaned. II used to be truthful enough
except when [ imagined things. IT.
| my cursed Imagination that does THU
to ms"
And he proceeded to imagine that b
had confessed every falsehood OK hi
whole life to Priscilla and she had for
given him He thought OF what sh,
said and OF what he said, and even II
this dream he was sonfessing lies tina
he had never uttered and denying 9th
| ers that he dared not confess.
He was interrupted III this moral ex
lcrcise by the sound or his bell, ans
there was something In II that strucl
| 10 his heart. He admitted Priscilla. ut
terly distracted.
Father has teiephoned me tina
Granville Is not on the Carinthia." sh'
gasped. but his thugs are there h
his cabin. | made father tell me tn
truth. lie tried to keep 1t from me.
did your mother bear anythinsy
sNos | was careful to close all IN
doors. Nou know We had the tele
phone incIosed 50 that it would not dis
tarh mother. and It IL long way from
her room. Father says that uothe