The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-07-11
CHAPTER XIV.
Me Mysterious Motor eo,,


me OF sentiment; 1t was a demand
Why! 1t flashed into my mind that
IL mad to do with Natalies missing
ruby. | did not stop to reason or
conjecture | caught up g sweater.
ior 'ne night was growing cool and
ALREADY was shivering. went out
along the corridor. up the few steps
10 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 mo-
ment's hesitation. Something has
happened.
lie 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. 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 II
| 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 a couple Of hours ago.
Now. what is it," l asked. What
has happened"
You are prepared for anything"
He gazed into my white face. l know
1t was white. you will not be fright
ened?"
81 am prepared for anything" I an
swered. trying to keep my voice
steady. 81 promise you will not be
I frightened. PROMISE"
He clasped my hands In both his
own.
Darling"
Eyes, yes?"
Il love you"
waited. fearing, dreading l knew
not what.
What has happened?" | asked.
Don't keep me In suspense"
THAT has happened" He smiled.
"What?"
II love you"
looked at him in establishment;
he was smiling easily. A sudden wave
OF anger swept over me.
you have tricked me! thought
= :. - s. zs.sby y Thought was
Sure" Connected thought forsook
me.
Hang the ruby" he exclaimed. ~
did trick you. dear, because you are
so blessed sensible. Your cool little
note, which I have here over my
heart, convinced me that you are not
at all comforting kind Of sweet.
heart. but I 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 | frightened you again. I
didn't think of that. I only knew I
wanted you to come, knew that
couldn't wait another moment to see
you. to hear you say you love me-"
He was sweeping me of my feet
again. closed my eyes to steady my.
self. / wonder II he knew just how
much my being sensible had cost me.
just how much more 1t 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 l was trying to keep 1t steady.
my sister has pounded 1t into me 80.
know my head rules my heart,
there's a line in my hand that says
&c. but it's because I must be sen.
sfble."
I gave way in contradiction of my
words and swayed forward. His arm
went around me. l placed my hands.
comrade-like. on his shoulders. was
trying 10 live up to that line In my
hand.
"This can't 60 on" said.
"What7"
"This seeing you, with q moon like
that, and no one near and loving you. "
He kissed me before could finish. II
must be sensible!"
you love me-darling?"
"Oh!"
"Why must you be sensible?"
thought for while before I an.
swered, meeting his eyes unwavering-
ly. 1t was hard to put the answer IN.
to words II he did not already under
stand the intangible everything that
was the reason.
do you remember that I'm IL, q
very serious position" l asked FIN.
1--WE been accused of-of being a
thief, not suspected, but actually &C.
cused! Perhaps tomorrow ] shall be
arrested. That means-means hind.