The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-02-28

They ached duly, the dull pain OF DE-
wilderment, which these days recu''
red with frequency. A sense OF tlnio
was lacking; for luncheon hour came
and passed without her being dehhi'e'
ly aware of it. This in itself was d
puzzle. A jaunt, such as she hau "a
ken that morning, always keened the
edge of her appetite; and yet, there
was no craving whatever.
Where was her mother? II she
would only come now, the cumulative
doubts of all these months should De
put into speech. They had treated her
as one would treat a child; 1t was
neither just nor reasonable. II not az
a child, but as one they dared not
trust, then they were afraid of her
But why? She pressed her hands 70
gether, impotently. Ryanne, clever az
he was, had made a slip or two which
he had sought to cover up with a jest
| Why should he confess himself to Dc
rogue unless his tongue had got the
better of his discretion? II he was
rogue, why should her mother and bel
uncle make use of him, If not fol
roguery's sake? They were fools, fools!
If they had but seen and understood
her as she was, she would have IL
to the bitter end with them, loyalty
with sealed lips. But no; they haG
chosen not to see; and In this haC
morally betrayed her. All, 1t ranked
and the injustice Of 1t grew from pair
to fury. At that moment, had SHE
known anything, she certainly would
have denounced them. OF what us'
was loyalty, since none Of then
sought 1t in her?
The Major was wiser than he knew
when he spoke of the hundredth dan
ger, the danger unforeseen, the DANCE
against which they could make nj
preparation. And he would have beel
first to sense the irony Of 1t could h
have seen where this danger lay.
Why should they wish the pleasan
young man out of the way? VIII,
should Ryanne wish to inveigle hin
into the hands Of this man Mahomed
Was It merely, self.pgessryatieR.ssp
something deeper, more sinister
Think! Why couldn't she think o
something? 1t was only little pleas
ure trip to Cairo, they had told her
and when she had asked to go along
they seemed willing enough. But the.
had come to this hotel, when formerl.
they had always put up at Shep
heard's. A here again the question
| why? Was it because Mr.. Jones wa
staying here? She liked him, what lit
tie she had seen of him. He was GU
of an altogether different world thai
that to which she was accustomed. HI
was neither insanely mad over card
nor social idler. He was a youn
man with real interest in life,
worker, notwithstanding that he wa
reputed to be independently rich. An
her mother had once borrowed none
Of him, never intending to pay it bach
The shame of it! And why should sh
approach him &c very first day an
recall the incident, If not with the u
terror purpose of using him further
AS bail strikes wall only to N
bound to the thrower, so it was wit
all these questions. There was neve
any answer
Tired out, mentally and PHYSICAL!
she laid her head upon the cool to
of the stand. And in this position he
mother, who had returned to dres
for tea, found her. Believing Forum
to be asleep, Mrs. Chedsoye droppe
a hand upon her shoulder.
Fortune raised her head.
why, child, what is the matter?
the mother asked. The face she sa'
was not tear-stained; it was as col
and passionless as that by which scul]
tors represent their interpretations {
Justice.
Matter" Fortune spoke, in ton
that did not reassure the other. 81
the first place l have only one res
question to ask. 1t depends upon ho'
you answer 1t. Am l really you
daughter?"
Really my daughter" Mrs. Che,
ssye stepped back, genuinely astol
ished. Really my daughter? Th
child is mad!" as if addressing an in
aginary third person. What make
you ask such silly question: Sh
was In hurry to change her dres
but the new attitude of this child {
hers warranted some patience.
THAT is no answer" said Forum
with the unmoved elaboration of
prosecuting attorney.
Certainly you are my daughter"
Good. II you had denied It.
should have held my peace; but sine
you admit that l am Of your flesh an
blood, l am going to force you to re
ognize that in such a capacity l ha,
some rights. did not ask to CON
into this world; but insomuch as l a
here, l propose to become an inc
. vidual, not a thing to be Given bres
and butter upon suffer- | ha,