The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-08-23

cheeks redder than ever. The two
men confronted each other unGinch.
tngly for a moment, then Mr., Maitland
touched a bell button in the wal, nv
ms slde. Instantly tho 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 enort. SHOW this-er-gentle.
man the door, Good morning, sir: our
flrst and last interview is over"
He bowed with ceremonious polite.
ness as ne 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 a telegram that has just come,
SIR"
There was nothing for Armstrong to
40 or say. Indeed, having expressed
hlmsef SO unrestrainedly to his rapid.
ly-lncreasing 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 Matt.
land mechanically and with great de-
Liberation and with no premonition of
evil tidings, tore open the yellow en-
velope and glanced at the dispatch.
Neither the visitor nor the footman
mad got out of sight or hearing when
they heard the old man groan and
fall back helplessly into chair. Both
men turned and ran back to the; door
Tor 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
gasplng 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.
End! gasped her father. II said
would rather see her-dead, butt
IS not ,true-I-
James Armstrong was a man Of
prompt decision. without moments
hesitation he picked up the telegram:
1t was full OF explicitly, thus it read:
I'VE were encamped last week in
The mountains. Enid went down the
canon for days fishing alone. A sud-
len cloudburst filled the canon, wash
ed away the camp. Enid undoubted.
y 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
'rozen. snow falling, mountains i'm
oassable; will search for her in the |
spring when the winter breaks. am
ollowing this telegram in person by |
he first train. Would rather have
lied a thousand deaths than had this |
Happen. God help us.
ROBERT MAITLAND"
Armstrong read it, stared at 1t a
moment, frowning heavily, passed it
'ver to the footman and turned to the /
tricken father.
odd man, loved her." he said.
imply. Il love her still; believe
hat she loves me. They haven't
ound her body, clothes mean moth
ng. III find her, I'll search the noun.
aims until do. Don't give way;
omething tells me that she's alive.
nd I'll find her"
III you d." said the broken old
ian. crushed by the swift and awful
esponse to his thoughtless exclama.
lon. and she loves you, you shall
ave her for your WIFE,"
1T doesn't need that to make me
nd her." answered Armstrong grim
:. she is woman, lost In the noun.
AIMS IN the winter, alone. They
houldn't have given up the search.
II find her as there is a God above
le whether she's for me or not"
A good deal Of a man, this James
rmstrong Of Colorado, in spite of
lany things in his past Of which he
lought so little that he lacked the
race to be ashamed of them. Stephen
[aitland looked at him with a GER
lin respect and a growing hope, as
o stood there in the library, stern,
.solute. strong.
perhaps-- I;