Bisbee daily review., 1912-03-12

boise admirably. What If she should be turned away!
 The owner of the place is in Flu rope, believer" she asked.
 Yes. Jim's about made up his mind to live in Paris for 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 tremulously up the fiower-bordered path that led to the 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. It passed in mo ment and she entered the first room she came to mechanically. The air was fresh and clean. and not sign of dust was in evidence. The spinster aunts had attended to that, and the girl sank into a chair with a sigh or relief. She had fully expected to find the place musty and damp and mad been mentally bracing herself to meet the emergency.
 She must have sat there at least quarter of an hour, her dry eyes tray cling from one well-remembered ob- iect 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 che 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! l The place was going to rack and ruin ! for want of a tenant. We imagined { you'd be highly pleased" Francesca caught at the sill for sup i port Every atom of color fled from her face.
 q appreciate your interest, of 1 course. Aunt Sophie. But for reasons best known to myself, I prefer to Keep 1 the house vacant. I should have told ! you. I suppose. But somehow, in the rush of things, omitted to do so. But | as long as the people haven't moved | in theren be no trouble about it." Francesca turned as the man ap- preached the room alone. Her hrst l 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 1 thick veil she wore.
 'T beg your pardon" Langdon be ! gan. apologetically, but it 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 it for myself" ] tTaDCGSCd HOautu.
 'I'm awfuHy sorry you've been put to this trouble, but you see" I'm sure you needn't apologize, she interposed quickly. in low tone "I-perfectly understand" Langdon smiled gratefully. "Thanh you very much" he said.
 Francesca moved across the floor toward the doorway. To reach it 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.
 .sFrancescai" he cried, breathlessly
 May I-pass?" she faltered, weakly
 NO: you may not" He deliberate lv lifted the veil from her face and looked long and deep into tte misty eold-brown eyes. Satisfied, be gave a little soft laugh, and drew her al nest roughly into his arncs.
 we've been a precious pair Of mum skulls. haven't we?" he demanded.
 T-I-think we have, dear"
 "But we've learned wisdom througr experience, eh?"
 "I-hope so, Jim"
 His lips touched her hair. His arms tighteped. And it's not too late tS go down and look at that Chlppen