The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-04-18


afraid as annoyed Her voice became
frigid. though her dignity was some
what damaged by the fact that she
bungIed in giving the desired informa-
ton. !
Il think monsieur will find Van
Cortlandt Hall in the College GROUNDS
two blocks south-no, Dorth-o1 the
gateway yonder, at the upper end OF
this walk"
"Ah, mademolselle is tut too kind.
He bowed deeply again, hat in hand
81 thank you profoundly. And may
I say. also, that this wonderful pic
ture-" here he spread eloquent hands
toward the half-quiescent city whose
thousand eyes glimmered over the
lower distance-"this panorama OF &C.
cidental life makes a peculiar appear
to the imagination"
The springs of emotion. touched po-
tently as they had been by the surg
ing recollections Of the last half-hour.
were family stirred again in Miss Red
mond's heart by the strangers gran
eloquent words. Unconsciously her
features relaxed, though she did not
reply.
Again | pray mademoiselle to par
don me, but only moment past
heard the song-the song that might
be the sigh of all the daughters OF
Italy. All. Mademoiselle. 1t Is won
derful! Put here in this so fresh
country, this youthful. boisterous, too
prosperous country. that song Is ike
-like-like Arabian spices in a kitch'
en- Is it not SOL
Miss Redmond was moving up me
steps toward the entrance, hesltatlng
between the desire to snub her inter
locutor and to avoid the appearance
of fright The man, meanwhile
moved easily beside her, courteously
distant, discourteousiy insistent IN
his prattle But the motor-car was
now not far away.
The stranger looked appealingly at
her, seemingly sure Of humorous an
swering look to his pleasantly. 1t
was not wholly denied She yielded
to a touch of amusement with a cool
smile. and FASTENED her steps. The
man kept pace without effort. LUCK
lily, the car stood only few feet away,
with Renaud or rather Hand, at the
curb, holding open the door A vague
bow and a lifting of the hat, and ap-
parently the stranger went the other
way. She felt a foolish relief. and at
the same instant noted with surprise
that the cover of her car had been
raised.
why did you raise the top"
ut appeared to me. Mademoise. ie,
that 1t was likely to rain"
Put it down again. 1t will not
rain" Miss Redmond was saying,
when, from sidelong eyes, she saw
that the stranger had not turned in
the other direction. after all. but was
almost in her tracks. as though he
were stalking game With foot on
the step she said sharply. but in low
voice. ITO the Plaza quickly" then
Immediately added, with a character
istic practical turn: But don't get
yourself arrested for speeding"
"No, Mademoiselle, with this car |
can make" Even as the chauffeur
replied, Miss Redmond's sharpened
senses detected passage of glances
between him and the stranger, now
close behind her.
She sprang into the tonneau ard
seized the door, but not before the
man had caught at it with stronger
hold, and stepped in close after her.
; The chauffeur was in his seat. the
car was moving slowly. now faster
and faster. Suddenly the bland coun-
tenance slid very near her own. while
firm hands against her shoulders
crowded her into the farther corner
of the tonneau.
20 Renaud-Hand," she cried, but
the driver made no sign Help, help"
: she shrieked. but the cry was in
stantly choked into a feeble protest
A mass of something, pressed to her
mouth and nostrils, melted her to
superhuman efforts. She struggled
frantically. and succeeded in getting
[ her head for an instant at the open.
ing. while she clutched her assailant
tand held him helpless But only for
moment. The firm large hand quick
: ly overpowered even the strength in
e duced by frenzy, and in another min.
:, ute she was lying unresisting on the
Y soft cushions of the tonneau
e The car careened through the
9 streets. the figure of the unrespon
sive Hand Knocked her cries for help
e the neat hard face of the stranger
D continued to bend over her Then
r everything swan in maelstrom Of
v duller and duller sense, the world
g grew darker and fainter, till finally II
4 was lost in silence.
n CHAPTER II.
It Hambleton of LYNN.