The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-01-04
CHAPTER Ix.-(continued.)

CHAPTER lx-(continued.)
sTen years ago." abstracrediy'
awhat a lot of things may happen in
cen years! Deaths, births, marriages.,
he went on; "the snufing out OF king
doms and republics: wars, pantcs'
eamine; honos to some and dishonor
20 others. 1t kind Of makes Fellow
Grind his teeth, little girl; It KIND OF
makes him shut his fists and long to
Eun amuck."
'sWhy should strong, intelligent
nan, such as you are, think like that?
You are resouroeful and unafraid.
why should you talk Hike that? You
are young, too. Why?
He stopped and looked full into her
eyes. do you really wish to know"
"Had / better?" with wisdom be-
yond her years.
mo, you had better not. I'm not
good man, Fortune, as criterions go.
I've slipped here and there: I've gam
bIed and drunk and squandered my
time. Why, In my youth ] was as
model a boy as ever was Perciyal.
Where the divarication took place
can't say. There's always two forks
an the road. Fortune, and many Of us
take the wrong one. It's easier going.
vine excuse Ell? Some persons would
call me q scoundrel. q black-leg; in
GONE ways, yes. But In the days to
come want you always to remember
Che two untarnished spots upon my
shield of honor: have never cheat
ed man at cards nor run away with
bis wife The devil must give me
these merits, however painful 1t may
be- to him. Ten years ago, only a
decade; good Lord! It's like q hun
dred years ago, sometimes"
Fortune breathed with difficulty.
Never before had he taken her into
bis confidence TO such extent. She
essayed to speAk; the old terror
seemed fairly to smother her. It was
mot what he had told her, but what
she wished to but dared not ask. She
was like Bluebeard's wife. only she
had not the moral courage to open the
door of the gris1y closet. =. Her
mother, her uncle; what of them, ali,
what OF them? The crooked street
vanished; the roar dwindled away;
she was alone, all, all alone.
Il suppose ought not to have told
you." he said troubled at the misery
be saw gathered Ii her eyes and
vaguely conscious OF what had written
at there. Your mother and uncle
have been very kind to me. They
know less Of me than you do. I have
been to them kind OF errand-boy; 8
happy-golucky fellow, who cheered
chem when they had the doldrums."
With forced cheerfu1ness he again
took her hand and snuggled 1t under
bis arm. giving 1t friendly reassur-
ing pat. Ell not speak to you of
sove, child, but q hair Of your head
10 more precious to me than ali Midas
gosd. Whenever I've thought Of you,
we tried TO be good. Honestly"
81 AND can't you 60 back to the be-
ginning and atari anew TREMENDOUSLY.
Can any one so back? The moving
ungeT writes. An hour Is a terrible
Enlng whan you look to see what can
aappen In t. But, come; sermons!
90 far rather sse you smile. Went
Rou?s
she tried to, but to him Il was sad
ssr ehan her tears would have been.
FOR an hour they walked through
ne aim and musty streets. He exert
"a himself to amuse her and fairly
succeeded. But never did the unac-
soantaoie fear, that presage Of misfor-
suae, sleep In her heart. And at last.
aasn ne took her to her carriage and
saae ner good-by TIL dinner, half.
sorned idea began to grow ms her
Sfain; to save Mr.. Jones without be-
naytng Ryanne.
ans latter's carriage was at the 9TH
= eng OF the bazaars; SO he strobe
salsniy through the press, rudely ell
$3.50 sslns snose who got in his way. An
Sssaslonal curse was flung after him:
guy nus height, his breadth of shout.
49, 49, ms lowering face, precluded any
s more active. The Moslems had
: VA OF faith In the efficacy of
aises' 50 the jostled ones rested up-
s ~ IS PROMISE Of these, satisfied that
~s' os IN the near future. Allah