The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-02-07

way of OSCILLATION that that member
of an old Austrian family didn't
know, I've got to find it out. He
could kiss all around any American |
ever saw"
| went back to my news stand.
was shaking so my knees would hard
ly hold me. All | could think of was
that they had swallowed Mr.. Pierce.
bait and hook, and that for a time we
were saved. although in the electric
| light Mr.. Pierce was good bit less
| like Dicky Carter than he had seemed
to be in the spring house by the fire.
Well. Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof"
Everybody went to bed early. Mr..
| Thoburn came over and bought cigar
on his way upstairs, and he was as
gloomy as he had been cheerful before
Well" ! said, Il guess you won't
put a dancing floor in the dining-room
! just yet. Mr. Thoburn."
I'm not in a hurry" he snapped.
IT'S only January, and l don't want
! the place until May. I'll get it when
I'm ready for it. | had a good look
at young Carter, and he's got too
square a jaw to run a successful neu-
rasthenics' home"
went to the pantry shelf at ten
| o'clock and fixed tray of supper for
Mr.. Pierce. | found some chicken and
had kept the key Of his wine-cellar
since he died-and carried the tray up
to Mr.. Pierce's sitting-room. He had
the old doctors suite.
The door was open an inch or so,
and as | was about to knock | heard
girls voice. 1t was Miss Patty!
How can you deny it?" she was
saying angrily. 81 dare say you will
even deny that you ever saw this let
ter before!"
There was a minutes pause while |
suppose he looked at the letter.
81 never did," he said solemnly.
Perhaps" said Miss Patty, you
also deny that you were in Ohio the
day before yesterday"
Il was in Ohio. but / positively as.
sert-
Mr.. Carter, / have asked my ques.
! ton twice now and | am waiting for
an answer"
But | don't know the answer" he
said miserably. II assure you, I'm
absolutely in the dark. | don't know
what's in the letter. l haven't always
done what / should, / dare say, but
my conduct in the state of Ohio during
the last few weeks has been without
had been anything very heinous, I'D
remember, don't you Think"
/ Somebody crossed the room, and a
paper rustled.
Read that" said Miss Patty's voice
And then silence for a minute.
Good Lord" exclaimed Mr.. Pierce
do you deny that?"
Absolutely" he said firmly. Il
have never even heard of the Rever
end Dwight tombstone"
And that is all you will say?" de
manded Miss Patty scornfully. You
don't know there's a mistake;;' you
never saw the letter before!' Oh, il
| were only a man!
I'll tell you what we'll do" Mr.
Pierce said, with something like hope
in his voice. We'll send for Mr.. Van
Alstyne! That's the thing. of course
I'll send for-er-Jim"
Mr.. Van Alstyne's name is Sam, but
nobody noticed.
Mr.. Van Alstyne!" repeated Miss
Patty in dazed way.
/ guessed it was about time to make
diversion, so / knocked and walked
in with the tray, and they glared al
me.
I've brought your supper. Mr.. Car
ter" | began. Then Il stopped and
stared. "Oh," said.
Thank you" said Mr.. Pierce, very
uncomfortable. Just put it down any
where"
| stalked across the room and put
it on the table. Then l turned. I'm
SORRY" said, but it's one of the rules
of this house that guests don't come
to these rooms. They're strictly pri
vate. 1t isn't my rule, but If you will
| Slcp W Tue
Mr.. Pierce took quick step TOWARD
Miss Patty and looked down at her
"About-what happened downstairs
tonight" he stammered, with the un
happiest face l ever saw on a man
live been ready to knock my foo
head of aver since. 1t was a mistake
a."
My letter, please" said Miss Patty
looking bach 1T him without a blink
please don't look like that" hi
begged. 81 came in suddenly out o.
the darkness, and you"
MY letter, pleased" she said again
raising her eyebrows.
He gave up trying then. He helC
out the letter and she took 1t and wen
out with her head up and scorn il
the very way she trailed her Skin
over the door-sill. But I'm no fool; 4
didn't need the way he touched the
door-knob where she had been hold
ing 1t, when he closed the door aftel
her, to tell me what allied him. H,
was crazy about her from the minut,
he saw her, and he hadn't a change O
linen or a cent to his name. And she
as you might say, on the ragged edg,
of royalty, with queens and prince.
sending her stomachers and tiaras un
til she'd hardly need clothes. Well
cat may look at a king.
He went over to the fireplace, wher,