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

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the entire second gospel, and second
of the ten doubtful verses in the M
teenth chapter My work is now &C
complished-for all time, believe
FROM the inception of what con-
sideredxmy life mission, made the re-
solve to bequeath to Agatha Shaw
whatever manuscripts or other mate
rial of value my work should lead me
to accumulate, together with this
house, in which | have spent all the
later years of my life. You are Aga
tina Shaw's only child. therefore TO
me foster-child.
Another reason, four years ago, leu
me to confirm my former testament
From time to time l have Informed
myself concerning your movements
and fortunes The work you nave
chosen, my dear Agatha, can but De-
lieve to be taught with unusual dan
gers to a young woman. Therefore
hope that this home. modest as II
is, may tempt you to an early retire
ment from the stage. and lead you to
more private and womanly career.
This make only as request, not as
a condition. bid you farewell. and
give you my blessing.
Faithfully yours,
HERCULES THAYER."
Agatha Redmond folded the thin
sheets carefully. There was a mist IN
I her gaze as she looked off toward the
distant city lights.
Dear old gentleman! His whole
love-story, and my mothers too. per-
haps!" Her quickened memory re-
called childish impressions Of visit
to a large country house and OF a
solemn old mamie seemed incredibly
: ancient to her-and of feeling that in
, some way she and her mother were In
. a special relationship to the house. IL
was called "the old red house. and
was full of fascinating things. the
ancient man had hidden her go about
and play as if it were her home, and
then had called her to him and laid
open book, leading her mind to re-
gard its mysteries. Greek! 1t seemed
, to her as II she had begun it there
and then. Later the mother became
, the teacher She was nursed, as II
were, within sight of the windy plains
!, of Troy and to the sound OF Homerlt
, hymns-and all by reason OF TINS
= ancient scholar.
There was a vivid picture In hel
, mind gathered at some later visit, o.
, soft hillside, small white churcf
standing under its balm-of-gilead tree
> and herself sitting by stone in the
old churchyard, listening to the strains
= of hymn which floated out from the
, high narrow windows. She remem
bered how from without she hat
!. Joined the hymn. singing with all he
= small might: and suddenly the asso
= citation brought back to her "a mor'
;. recent event and more beautifu
9 strain of music. Half in reverie, hal
a in conscious pleasure in the exercise
of facile organ. she began to sing
,. Free of my pain. free of my burden o
Il sorrow.
At last | shall see thee"
O The song floated In zone OF s.
r lence that lay above the deep-mul
v muring city. The voice was no NOR
q than the half-voice Of flute, sweet
!. gentle. beguiling. 1t told. as man
r. songs tell,~of little earthly Love in tn
:. grasp of mighty Fate. Still she san
d on softly.
r. Suddenly the song ceased, and tn
i. reminiscent smile gave place to a
" expression of surprise, as the SINCE
70 became conscious OF a deeper shade
II falling directly in front of her. Sh
81 glanced up quickly, and found herse
N looking into the face of man who's
a eimlet-like gaze was directed upo
a. herself.
n Quickly she rose, she could NJ
1. turn into the path before the gentl
=. man hat in hand. with deep bow an
,r clearly enunciated words, arrested h
al impulse to flight
pardon, Mademoiselle, am
h. stranger in the city | was directe
II. this way to Van Cortlandt Hall, but
s, find | am in error, intrigued-in co
ID fusion. Would mademoiselle be ,
or good as to direct me?"
The tones had foreign accer
ne There was something, also, in the
ar bland impertinence which put Mi
en- Redmond on her guard He was
e. pood-sized, blond person. careful
of dressed, and at least appeared iii
In a gentleman.
to Miss Redmond looked into II
ny smooth, neat countenance, upon whi'
er no record either of experience or
by thought was engraved. and decid
lie, fIeetingly that he was lying. 81
as Judged him capable of picking up 9
ra- ouaintances on the street. but thong
ed that more. originality might be {
ly, pected of him.
I'm Suddenly she wished that she h
fy returned sooner to her car, for thou
as she was of an adventurous nature. h