Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-08-07


don. AS said before. wait! And now,
Mr.. Carroll. / have this to say to your
suggestion: for one am relentlessly
opposed to the plan you advocate.
There is no occasion for this matter to
go to the public. A trial. you say.
would be mere formality. l am not
so sure of that. Why put poor Hetty's
stage, after l have protected her so
carefully all these months? Why, take
the risk? We know she is innocent
Isn't 1t enough that we acquit her in
our hearts? No, cannot consent, and
hold both of you to your promises"
There is nothing more / can say,
my dear Sara" said Carroll, shaking
his head gloOmily. except to urge you
to think it over very seriously. Re-
member. 1t may mean a great deal to
her-and to our eager young friend
here. Years from now, like bolt from
the sky, the truth may come out In
some way. Think of what it would
| mean then"
Sara regarded Him steadily. There
are but four people who know the
TRUTH" she said slowly. 1T isn't like
ly that Hetty or Brandon will tell the
story. Professional honor forbids your
doing SO. That leaves me as the sole
peril. Is that what you would imply.
my dear friend!"
mot at ALL" he cried hastily. mot
at all. l."
That's all tommy-rot, Sara" cried
Booth earnestly. I'VE just couldn't
have anything to fear from you"
| With curious Inconsistency, she
shook her head and remarked: "Of
course, you never could be quite easy
in your minds. There would always
be the feeling of unrest. Am l to be
trusted. after all? I have proved my
self to be a vindictive schemer. What
assurance can you and Hetty have that
l will not turn against one or the 9TH
er of you some time and crush you to
satisfy a personal grievance? How do
you know. Brandon. that am not in.
love with you at this very"
Good heavens. Sara!" he cried.
agape.
] e at this very moment?" she con-
tinued. 1T would not be SO very
strange, would It? l am very human.
The power to love il not denied me.
Oh. am merely philosophizing: Don't
look so serious. We will suppose that
l continued along my career as the
woman scorned. You have seen how
smart under the lash. Well?"
But all that is impossible" said
Booth, his face clearing. You're not
in love with me, and never can be.
That! for your philosophy"
At the same instant he became
aware Of the singular CLEAN in her
eyes; a liquid, oriental glow that
seemed to reflect light on her lower
lids as she sat there with her face In
the shadow. Once or twice before he
had been conscious of the mysterious.
seductive appeal. He stared back at
her, almost defensively, but her gaze
did not waver. 1t was he who first
looked away, curiously uncomfortable.
STILL" she said slowly, Il think you
would be wise to consider all possible
contingencies"
I'll take chances, Sara" he said.
with an odd buoyancy in his voice that.
for the life of him. he could not ex-
plain, even to himself.
Even admitting that such should
turn out to be the case" said Mr.. Car
roll judicially. Il don't believe you'd
go so far as to put your loyal friends
in jeopardy. Sara. So we will dismiss
the thought. Don't forget. however,
that you hold them in the hollow Of
your hand. My original contention was
based on the time-honored saying.
murder will out We never can tell
what may turn up. The best laid plans
of men and mice Oft"
Sara settled back among the cush-
ions with a peremptory wave Of her
hand. The loose, flowing sleeve fell
away, revealing her white, exQuisitely
modelled arm almost to the shoulder.
For some strange, unaccountable rea-
son Booths eyes fell.
Il am tired, wretchedly tired. 1t has
been a most exhausting day." she said.
with a sudden note of WEAKNESS in her
voice. Both men started up apollo
getically. II will think seriously Of
your plan. Mr.. Carroll. There is no
hurry, I'm sure. Please send Miss
Wrandall in to me. will you? Perhaps
you would better tell Hetty to come
in as soon as Vivian leaves. Come
back tomorrow afternoon. Brandon.
shall be much more cheerful. BY the
way, have you noticed that Dicky, out
In the library. has been singing all aft
ernoon as II his little throat would
split? 1t is very curious, but today IL
the first time he has uttered a note
in nearly five months. Just listen to
him! He is fairly riotous with song"
Booth leaned over and kissed the
hand she lifted to him. He IL like the
rest of US, Sara, Unfortunately happy"
A sligh: SILVER ran through her arm.
He felt 1t.
II am 80 afraid his exuberance of
sxirit may annoy VIVIAN" said she.
with q rare smile. she detests vul-
garity"
The men departed. She lay back in
the chaise-lounge. her eyes fixed on
the hand he had touched with his lips.
Watson tapped twice on the door.
Miss Wrandall could not wait,
ma am." he said. opening the door soft
ly. She will call again tomorrow"