Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-05-24

twain. / must not even see her again
for / dared not trust myself In her
presence. What might do II should
meet her alone did not know.
Whether l would violently denounce
her for her faithlessness, break down
miserably as was now doing. or COM
NIT some other scene could only
conjecture. But In any case matters
would not be mended. The injury was
irreparable. must cast her out OF
my life and pursue my way in wretch
edness and silence. / returned to my
rooms.
Uncle Abner was already puttering
away somewhere and threw myself
into a chair In what was nearly q
physical collapse. l felt shrunken and
hollow as though my vitals had been
drawn from my body and had fallen
into myself. was incapable Of think
ing logically and the weight that OPP
pressed me was sitting. Before me
life stretched away as a VOID, hope
less and destitute of light and through
which / must drift miserably until II
merged into eternity.
l must have sat in half stupor for
long time, for as the tinkle OF the
telephone bell sounded in my dead
ened ears like a death rattle l go'
upon my feet and saw that 1t was
nearly ten o'clock. Mechanically
picked up the receiver and asked whai
was wanted. Over the wire there
came to me a voice which at first Sc
every nerve to tingling and theI
turned me sick and faint in the reac
ton. For it was the voice of Mrs
Dace, softly musical, and filled Will
the chserfulness of the morning a
she inquired for me. In tones tina
sounded far away to my own ears
told her it was l who spoke.
Il did not recognize your hello,
she went on briskly. your voic
does not sound at all natural thu
morning. / am afraid you dissspate'
last night. Anyway, 1t Is such love
ly morning that / have been thinkin
perhaps you might wish to call an
take me to church and afterwards 10
little stroll along the boulevard.
have thought of lots of things owe
night that / wish to tell you. An
when we come back. If you care
give me still more Of your time. W
win take luncheon here in my apar
ments. Will you conner
MY head swan and leaned agains
the wall for support. The day previou
an invitation such as this would hay
brought me from a sick bed to her o
crutches, but now shuddered .
though a toad had been dropped dow
my spine. That she whom na
adored, defended against the worl
and given my heart. could be so vile
treacherousi And now with II
sweetness Of an angel she would lul
me to her that she might resume M
play of cat and mouse, Yes, Clai
had been right. In stealth and cruel
she was all leopardess. And 81
would even have the scene of the ne
act in the sanctuary Of the blesss
disciple of love and truth
Softly, full of music as a bell,
heard her voice calling to me al
asking why I did not reply to her, al
driven to immediate action my mil
suddenly changed. / would go al
see her. l would look upon her on
more and then coldly tell her that o.
relations must at once cease. ] wou
go no further. would give her
satisfaction at all. but making n
forgotten keys the excuse for respon
ing to her call, would claim them al
bid farewell to her forever. In tn
way would end the whole miserat
business. Commanding my voice
an effort answered that ] wou
| come at once. and hung up the
| ceiver without waiting for her to
| dress me further. l went to the m
| ror and looked into It. My lips we
| tense and colorless. my eyes bloc
shot, and seemed to have gro
pounds thinner and years older ov
night. Once more l bathed my ia
in cold water and set out for the
cadia.
nj She opened the door at tina d
sound Of the bell. and royalty bsa1