Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-08-02

evening. Janet. would like to see
Mrs. Daee." The girls answer was
softly apologize.
MY mistress is not at home" The
reply which followed was preceded
by laugh.
You know better. Janet. Tell her
wish to see her. Tell her. also. that
1t Is matter of Importance"
But have said that she is not al
home. But Of course she viii be.here
In the morning and you can then
communicate with her. have nc
doubt she will be pleased to hear from
you"
In the instant of heavy hanging 81.
lence which followed shot glance
at Mrs. Dace. She had leaned slight
ly forward, her hands clenched and
her ears strained in the direction of
the door. Then the notes Of the man
arose again. sullen growl sounding
through them.
Did she order you tell me this non
sense or are you acting upon your
own responsibility? The voice OF
the yellow girl, heretofore respect
full, took on a cold insolence.
THAT is a matter for you to form
your own opinion about. At least am
willing to accept any responsibility
for what ! may tell you. You may
ask her concerning 1t when you see
her again"
Plainly and distinctly Mackay
swore. and saw the door yield slight
ly to the pressure of heavy hand
from without. In the twinkling of an
eye the maids slender. figure became
that OF an enraged panthress. and her
tones rang out with positive vicious
ness. 'If you try to force your way
in here against me l will have you
thrown head and heels into the street
by the employees. Release that door
instantly"
He swore again. the pressure ceased
and heard his heavy step as it re-
treated down the hall. In a trice the
maid had closed the door behind him
and stood before us with a hot flush
upon her face and her eyes alight.
Mrs. Dace drew long breath and her
form and features softenei. Once
more she became the low-spoken, per
fectly self-controlled woman of the
minute before. you did very well,
Janet i think that is all for the pres
ent. You may retire now" Noiseless-
ly the girl slipped past us and disap-
peared behind the portiere
| turned to her mistress. What
does this mean, Matter / asked quiet
ly, but with the sickeaing sensation
that had experienced once before,
making my knees weak and my throat
dry. She faced me with an almost
imperceptible lifting of her eyebrows
and shoulders.
$50 far as know 1t means nothing
except that Mr.. Mackay has been
drinking and wished to see me for
some reason of which am as ignor-
ant as you are"
But at this hour of the night 1t
seems strange that even a man like
him should have the presumption to
call. l think under the circumstances
! have right to inquire. Does he
sometimes do such things?"
He never has before. He had no
right to do so now. II IL is a matter
of important business he should have
notified me Of his coming at least
few moments in advance"
But what business could he pos
sibly wish to confer with you about
at such time of night that could not
be transacted over the telephone7"
/ pursued unhappily. She waved her
hand.
Il am sure that / am as ignorant
and disturbed over the affair as you
can possibly be. When see him
again shall demand an explanation.
Then ! viii be able to tell you"
And those rings-they sounded al
most like signal-one short and two
long ones"
1T is one of his peculiaritles. | J
think he so announces himself every
where" She came close beside me.
dropping her hand upon my shoulder. |
You told me once that you would |
never mistrust me again. You are do |
ing so now. cannot wholly control |
the actions OF others, and there are
reasons why do not wish to quarrel
with Mr.. Mackay unless am driven |
to It. Your jealousy may ruin our
prospects and make us bad friends |
after all. I do not feel fiattered by
IT,"
got upon my feet and slipped my
arm about her. You must forgive |
me once more, dearest. While I ad- |
NIT that my love is jealous one, yet
where my heart IL my faith also re-
poses. trust you implicitly and will
ask you nothing further l was very
much surprised, that is ALL"
She smiled upon me with sweet
ness that was Incompatible. and for an
instant her palms held my cheeks.
You had better go now, Tom. 1t real
ly is late and / am Just plain. physic-
ally tired. You may kiss me good
night II you wish-just once"
She turned her cheek to me and my
lips paid reverential tribute to it.
She accompanied me to the door, her
hands locked above my elbow, blew
me a farewell from finger tips that
touched her lips and disappeared be-
hind the oaken panel Sobered of
spirit by the occurrence of a few
before, and despite myself
somewhat depressed by thoughts