The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-04-04

You see, II have seen Mr.. "rdhuoh
but once, In town somewhere. and i
may be wrong. Still. the coroner-and
the sheriff-eeemed to think you
should be notified might say ques-
toned. That is why l called you up.
| trust, madam, that l am mistaken.
Yes" she said shrilly, betraying the
intensity of her emotion. 1t was as
IL she lacked the power to utter more
than a single word, which signlneo
neither acquiescence nor approval.
He was Ill at ease, distressed.
have engaged a room for you at the
inn. Mrs. Wrandall. You did not prlns
a maid, | see. My wife will come
over from our place to stay with you
IL you"
She shook her head THANK you'
Mr. Drake. 1t will not be necessary.
| came alone by choice. l shall re-
turn to New York tonight
But you-why, you can't do that
he cried, holding back as they started
toward the door. mo trains stop mere
after ten o'clock The locals begin
running at seven in the morning. be
sides"
She interrupted him. May we not
start now, Mr.. Drake? | am-weil,
you must see that l am suffering.
must see, / must know. Inc sus-
nense-" She did not complete the
sentence, but hurried past him 10 tne
door. throwing it open and bending
! her body to the gust that burst In upon
, them.
He sprang after her. grasping her
arm to lead her across the icy pat
: form to the automobile that stood In
, the lee of the building.
!, Disdaining his command TO enter
= the tonneau, she stood beside the car
4 and waited until he cranked 1t and
K took his place at the Wheel Then sne
l. took her seat beside him and permit
t ted him to tuck the great buffalo robe
t about her. No word was spoken. Inc
,. man was a stranger to her. She for
Il got his presence In the car.
d Into the thick Of the storm the mo-
D tor chugged. Grim and silent. the
d man at the wheel, ungoggled ano
Is tense, sent the whirring thing swiftly
n over the trackless village street ane
It out upon the open country road. The
d woman closed her eyes and waited.
: You would know the month wal
L. March. He said: ct comes in hk'
le lion," but apparently the storm swal
,e lowed the words for she made no re
A Spouse to them.
,e They crossed the valley and crep
a. M the tree-covered hill. where tn
ed force of the gale was broken. II en-
lie heard him say: Fierce, wasn't II!
M she gave no sign, but sat hunched FOL
IN ward. peering ahead through the sno'
a at the blurred lights that seemed
OF far away and yet were close at hand.
SIS that the inn?" she asked as
in sweryed from the road few moment
vs. later.
DIV Yes. Mrs. Wrandall. We're here
tn "Is-is he in there?"
to where you see that lighted windo
nd upstairs." He footed the horn VII
Ella orously as he drew up to the long. 10
tie porch. Two men dashed out from II
vet doorway and clumsily assisted h
ng from the car.
GO right in, Mrs. Wrandall," sa
40. Drake. 81 will Join you in jiffy."
led She walked between the two MI
into the feebly lighted office OF Il
i've inn. The keeper Of the place. drea
looking person with dread In his eye
hurried forward. She stopped, sto
still. Some one was brushing I
70 stubborn, thickly caked snow from o
tono ,bipchi1la coat
tn you must let me get you son
fed thing hot to drink. madam" the laI
lord was saying dolorously.
She struggled with her veil, hna
the tearing 1t away from her face. IN
mt she took in the rather bare. cheerlt
led room with a slow, puzzled sweep
his her eyes.
mo, thank you." she replied.
one ct won't be any trouble, madaI
cir urged the otner. lts Iish' neie'
YOU sheriff says it's all right to serve
although 1t is after hours. ] rur
m respectable. law-abiding house.
w wouldn't think Of offering 1t to
I'm one IL 1t was In violation"
~ Never mind, Burton" interpose
Va big man, approaching. Let the i
"a choose for herself. II she wants
IN she'll say so. l am the sherih, mad
III This gentleman Is the cosoner.
"A Sheet. We waited up for you q
IN Mr.. Drake said you'd got the fast Il
mn to stop for you. Tomorrow morn
FL would have done quite as well.
~ sorry you came tonight in all
~ blizzard"
= He was staring as II Fascinated
m the white, colorless face Of the wol
who with nervous fingers unfaste
v the heavy coat that enveloped
M slender figure. She was young
u lstrikingly beautiful. despite the
Il tense pallor that overspread her
Ann Her dark, questioning. dreading
IUlAM looked up into his with an expires
. he was never to forget. 1t comb
dread, horror doubt and a smolde
anger that seemed to overcas
other emotions that lay reveale
20 by him.
NV This IL a-what 10 commonly C
I,mou. road house'?" she asked duly
N the eyes narrowing suddenly as II In
ection 1T is an inn during the winter.
Wrandall, and q road house In
entlv. summer, II that makes 1t plain to