The Lamar register., 1912-10-09

Il came to see about leasing the
cottage next door," Francesca began,
timidly. II hope no one Is ahead of
me?"
There have been applicants. but as
none of them appeared suitable ten
ants we turned them all away" She
held open the door. Pray walk in,
miss; then we can talk better"
Francescas heart was beating very
hard and very fast as she entered the
prim little parlor. but she kept her
poise admirably. What If she should
be turned away!
THE owner of the place is in Eu-
rope, l believer" she asked.
Yes. Jim's about made up his
mind to live in Paris Tor good, ex-
pect. He's my nephew. you know. My
sister and l came up last spring from
Philadelphia to live and he asked US
to take charge of the house over
there"
After half an hours interview, sat-
isfactory arrangements were conclud-
ed and. with the key tightly clasped
In her cold fingers. Francesca found
herself for the first time in three long
years walking TREMENDOUSLY up the
fiower-bordered path that led to ths
low veranda.? Her breath came in
little jerks and the blood pounded in
her temples. She applied the key
to the lock almost in a dream and
pushed open the door.
At sight of the familiar objects
within a sudden sense of suffocation
came upon her. 1t passed in a mo-
ment and she entered the first room
she came to mechanically. The air
was fresh and clean. and not a sign
Of dust was In evidence. The spinster
aunts had attended to that. and the
girl sank into a chair with sigh OF
relief. She had fully expected to find
the place musty and damp and had
been mentally bracing herself to meet
the emergency.
She must have sat there at least q
quarter of an hour, her dry eyes trav-
cling from one aforementioned OBJ
1ect to another. Her emotion made
her physically weak, and the only
thing she could do was to sit and bat
tie for self-mastery. There was no
need to explore further into the
house; every nook and corner was
printed on her memory. A clock strik-
ing three reused her She rose by an
effort and crossed to one OF the win
dows and looked out at the blooming
flowers below. How well she re-
called the day they had made the
flower bed together.
But my dear James. how absurd
The place was going to rack and ruin
for want Of tenant We imagined
you'd be highly pleased"
Francesca caught At the sill for sup
port. Every atom Of color ned nom
her face.
II appreciate your interest, Of
course. Aunt Sophie. But for reasons
best known to myself. prefer to keep
the house vacant. I should have told
you. I suppose. But somehow. in the
rush Of things. omitted to do SO. But
o. long as the people haven't moved
in thererl be no trouble about It.
Francesca turned as the man ap
preached the room alone. Her first
impulse had been to fly. to hide-to
seek refuge in any way she could. But
all avenue of escape was cut on. and
the only alternative was to stay where
she was. and hurriedly draw down the
thick veil she wore.
81 beg your pardon" Langdon DO
gan, apologetically. but 1t was all
mistake about this house being for
rent The fact is. I've Just come home
from Europe Unexpectedly and shall
want to occupy 1t for myself"
Francesca nodded.
I'm awfully sorry you've been put
to this trouble. but you see"
I'm sure you needn't apologize,
she interposed quickly. In low tone
Eperfectly understand"
Langdon smiled gratefully. THANK
you very much" he said.
Francesca moved across the floor
toward the doorway. To reach 1t she
was compelled to pass close to Lang
don. He was watching her narrowly.
Suddenly he caught his breath. turned
pale, then red-then pale again. When
she would have passed through the
opening he barred her way.
Francesca" he cried. breathlessly.
May I-pass?" she faltered. weakly.
mo; you may not" He deliberate
ly lifted the veil from her face and
looked long and deep into the misty.
gold brown eyes. Satisfied. he gave
q little soft laugh. and drew her al
most roughly into his arms.
.vu.,va hoar n nyecious pair of num-