The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1912-05-02

what Is III" He Asked Eagerly.
ly quivered with what he believed to
be righteous Indignation He stepped
over to the other and looked hard q
him, his eyes blazing, his rudy
cheeks redder than ever. The two
men confronted each other unf1inch-
ingly for moment, then Mr. Maitland
touched bell button in the wall BY
his side. Instantly the footman made
his appearance.
James" said the old man. his voice
shaking and his knees trembling with
passion, which he did not quite sue
coed in controlling. despite a desper-
ate effort SHOW this-er-gentle-
man the door. Good morning, sir; our
first and last interview is over"
He bowed with ceremonious polite
ness as he spoke, becoming more and
more composed as he felt himself
mastering the situation And Arm
strong. to do him justice, knew a gen.
tleman when he saw him. and secretly
admired the older man and began to
feel touch of shame at his own rude
way Of putting things.
"Beg pardon, sir" said the footman,
breaking the awkward silence, but
here is telegram that has just come.
sir"
There was nothing for Armstrong to
do or say Indeed, having expressed
himself so unrestrai eddy to his rapid.
ly-increasing regret. as the Old man
took the telegram he turned away in
considerable discontinue James bow.
ing before him at the door opening
into the hall and following him as he
slowly passed out. Mr.. Stephen Malt
land mechanically and with great de-
liberation and with no premonition of
evil tidings, tore open tho yellow en-
velope and glanced at the dispatch.
Neither the visitor nor the footman
had got out of sight or hearing when
they heard the old man groan and
fan back helplessly into chair. Both
men turned and ran back to the door,
for there was that In the exclamation
which gave rise to instant apprehen-
sion. Stephen Maitland now, as white
as death. sat collapsed in the chair
gasping for breath, his hand on his
heart; the telegram lay open on the
floor. Armstrong recognized the Sc
robustness of the situation. and in
three steps was by the others side. .
What is it?" he asked eagerly, his
hatred and resentment vanishing at
the sight of the old mans CHASTITY
stricken countenance.
Enid" gasped her father. Il said
I would rather see her-dead, butt
Is not true-I--
James Armstrong was a man OF
prompt decision, without a moments
hesitation he picked up the telegram;
it was full of explicitly, thus 1t read:
I'VE were encamped last week In
the mountains Enid went down the
canon for a days fishing alone A sud
den cioudburst filled the canon, wash
ed away the camp, Enid undoubted-
Nv got caught in the torrent and was
drowned. We have found some Of her
clothing. but not her body. Have
searched every foot of the canon.
Think body has got into the lake, now
frozen, snow falling. mountains Inn
passable: will search for her in the
spring when the winter breaks | am
following this telegram In person by
the first train Would rather have
died thousand deaths than had this
happen God help us.
ROBERT MAITLAND"
Armstrong read it. stared at It a
moment. frowning heavily, passed 1t
over TO the footman and turned to the
stricken father.
sOld man, | loved her," he said,
simply. 81 love her still: | believe
that she loves me. They haven't
found her body. clothes mean moth
ing. I'll find her. I'll search the noun
tains until / do. Don't give way;
something tells me that she's alive.
and I'll find her"
IF you do" said the broken old
man. crushed by the swift and awful
response to his thoughtiess exclama-
ton. ~and she loves you. you shall
have her for your wife
1T doesn't need that TO make me
end her answered Armstrong grim
". ~she is 3 woman. lost In the noun
sains IN the winter. alone fhey
shouldn't hare given up the search.
ri and her as there Is g God above
me whether she's for me or not"
good Deal q man. this Jafnss
Armstrong Of Colorado. r. spite O.
marv fhsnzs IN his past q which BE-
fhmaehs A. title thar be lacked he
eveee u BE- ASHAMED 81 then stephen
eassland Locked - him win . Ger
ate respect aHf 3 KfontnE hop. e
- .sse6 there t. he lihHeFs. stern.
sesotnte. gffaHs
pefAnrf