The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-03-29
CHAPTER XIV.
The Mysterious Motor Boat.

ne TVJotSIlOuo fWOtOI oOdt'
gazed at the letter. trying to COM
prehend, and finally read 1T over
| again. 1t was short, there was not
| line OF sentiment; it was demand,
Why? 1t flashed into my mind that
it had to do with Natalie's missing
ruby. l did not stop to reason or
conjecture. l caught up a sweater.
for the night was growing cool and
already | was shivering. l went out
along the corridor, up the few steps
to the main hallway, then down the
stairs on the other side of the few
steps to the gallery, which was an
outlet to the tennis courts. Hap was
waiting.
What is it," / gasped What has
happened? Has anything happened?"
Yes" he answered. after a mo-
ment's hesitation. Something has
happened"
He caught my hand and drew me
across the strip of lawn that sep
arated the house and the courts.
Where are we going?" l asked
breathlessly.
ITO the beach. I want to talk to
you"
We almost stumbled over some one
asleep. 1t was Henri. Hap prodded
him with his foot and Henri sat up,
rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Get up, you idiot" Hap command
ed This is no place to sleep"
He'll catch cold" l chartered as
the cold night air struck my arms and
my barred neck.
Henri arose and disappeared into
the shadows. Hap helped me put on
the sweater. turned me around as If
were little child buttoned me and
hurried me on to the beach. We clat-
tered down the steps to the sand be-
low and sat down just as we had
only couple of hours ago
Nov, what is it," l asked. What
has happened?"
you are prepared for anything"
He gazed into my white face. ! know
it was white. You will not be fright
ened?"
81 am prepared for anything" I an
swered. trying to keep my voice
steady. Il promise you will not be
frightened. promise"
He clasped my hands in both his
own.
"Darling!"
yes. yes?"
Il love you"
l waited. fearing. dreading I knew
not what.
What has happened?" I asked.
Don't keep me in suspense"
That has happened" He smiled.
"What?"
81 love you"
looked at him in establishment;
he was smiling easily A sudden wave
of anger swept over me.
"You have tricked me, | thought
It was the ruby | thought was
sure" Connected thought forsook
me.
Hang the ruby" he exclaimed. 81
did trick you, dear, because you are
so blessed sensible Your cool little
note, which l have here over my
heart. convinced me that you are not
at all a comforting kind of a sweet
heart, but hope to teach you. Now.
look into my eyes and tell me you
love me! Nothing else matters;
nothing else except my love for you.
I'm sorry I frightened you again. I
didn't think of that. l only knew l
wanted you to come. knew that l
couldn't wait another moment to see
you, to hear you say you love me-"
He was sweeping me off my feet
again. closed my eyes to steady my
self. l wonder II he knew just how
much my being sensible had cost me,
just how much more it was going to
cost me to push back, trample down
I'm trying to be sensible" | said,
and the tone Of my voice was cool.
because I was trying to keep 1t steady.
my sister has pounded 1t into me so.
know my head rules my heart,
there's a line in my hand that says
so. but It's because / must be SEN
sible."
l gave way in contradiction of nv
words and swayed forward His arm
went around me. I placed my hands.
comrade-like, on his shoulders. was
trying to live up to that line in my
hand.