The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-12-31

| who are faithless the women Of Bel
| lairr"
sui intent upon past memories
| continued my upward journey. Far
! above lOonnl tho ""Ar towers of the
castle. and suddenly from the high
Wir1nw cleaned Il light. How often
lad watched for this light at even
i!@. sitting before our narrow cottage
| door And when it Sllnne out n sil7ery
patch across the sea it came to me as
a silent message from her.
| 1T is thus bid YOU good night, Paul, y
SHIT. had said. smiled grimly that
! the recollection of her pretty fancies
still hail power to stir my heart. Anh
| what II StrnnGe trick was this which
fate had played! After all the years
of silence and separation to meet Bob
| upon a train ard to recognize in the
distinguished physician my boyhood's
old time friend. Bob himself was
overJoyed at the meeting.
You have evidently been prosper
Gus. Paul" be selds with an inclusive
glance which rested approvingly upon
my. belongings and my person.
,+Yes" / answered briefly. II have
been fortunate. and your
Beb's face sobered.
LAS far as money goes" am not
quite sure he replied. But am do
ing good where it is soreIy needed
He smiled. Il am physician in charge
to your old friends Of the village
Paul"
"Married?' l questioned CURLY
Bob's laugh rang out. Why, no"
he replied. Il have been too busy to
think OF marriage"
| cleared my throat Strange how
difficult it was to mention her name.
land Helois.' | asked-"HeloIs and
her husband live with your
Bob looked at me quickly. is it
possible that you have not heard:" he
said. They are both dead. The old
man didn't live long, and Helois died
year after you Went away
1t was long time before either Of
Us spoke.
Paul" Bob said impulsively, "wh,
can you not stop off at Rellaire upon
your return and pay me visit? IL
would do me a world Of good. old man"
So this twilight walk Of mine was the
outcome Of his hearty invita- ton
1t was all so exactly as had left it
one and twenty years ago-the tow
ceiled hall with it's great fireplace. even
the CHEEKY faces Of the old housekeep-
er and her husband, whom time had
touched so lightly, while Bob. with his
warm welcome and old enthusiasm,
seemed still the happy hearted hoy.
1t was drawing near the hour Of mid
night when the telephone summoned
Bob to his study. and he cant. back to
say that he was needed immediately in
the village,
Il am sorry he added resretfully.
but Martha will make you comforta bic.
and you will find plenty Of books and
cigars up in the old panel room"
The old panel room. This was where
we had spent so many happy evenings
together. she and l. With conflicting
stair freight tickered rosily upon
the shining panels. and at the farther
end Of the room a softly shaded lamp
threw its radiance about the readiny
table, leaving all else in shadow. As
my eyes became accustomed to the dim
light l was startlingly aware Of the
distinct outlines of a woman's white
clad figure showing against the vain
scoting. For moment my heart ham
mered away In foolish fear; then fea-
ture by feature. line by line, the vision
revealed itself. 1t was painted por,
trait Of Helois. life sized. perfect
portrait, fitted cunningly INTO a single
high carved panel. | examined it close
~. Her wonderful dusky hair was
knotted loosely at the back Of her
shapely head, and in its soft waves
nestled a rose.
So the past came back to me poign-
antly, with reality so great. so true.
that ! held my arms out to her and
spoke her name. Then as she brood
ed ever me. calm and pitiful. called
again. "Helois," cried, ''Helois." and
I declare to you | did not sleep or
dream. Neither had my morbid, mag
Innings imposed upon my reason. What
happened is fact-an indisputabie
fact. As. though in answer to my
yearning call. the tall picture swayed
toward me; then with
charming difldenee Helois herself
stepped from the oaken frame and
stood before my very eyes. fear
ed to speak. almost to breathe, lest
she should vanish from me-
Dear" said brokeniy-"dear. l
have loved you always. but never 50
much as now" Helois drew back
against the panel with stified sob,
and there was that In her eyes which
had never seen there before AS
sat helpless she glided with an almost
movement into that pic
tured ina animate thing which hung
upon the wall. Dazedly pressed my
hands against the canvas. then care
fully searched each corner of the room