The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-10-24

low CldD1OT, Tie NOlCt Va ZIG new
church bell calling the faithful.
The clamor ceased and after an in
terval resumed for a few last taps be-
fore he rose and went into the house
for his hat and cane. When he emerged
again he found Simon sitting on the
front stoop.
Coin to church,
81 guess I'd better"
"Yes. Courtney likes we to- Do
ye," Simon asked suddenly, still be-
lieve what he preaches?"
Mark hesitated a moment IL sup
pose | never did Id like to, but
can't. 1t takes a certain quality of
mind. suppose-or early habit.
can't quite see There was that
IN Marks tone which made Simon
look up quickly. Il can't see the logic
of letting another's suffering pay for
our sins"
Yell be late" Simon suggested.
Doctor Hedges. driving along the
valley road, drew up at the station
until the eleven O'Clock train, having
discharged its Bethel passengers. sped
onward The passengers were two.
man and a woman, strangers 10 the
doctor and therefore alien to Bethel
The woman stood on the otherwise de-
serted platform. looking uncertainty
around her. The man made directly
for the doctor.
do you" he demanded. know
where Mark Truit lives?'
why. yes" The doctor bestowed
friendly smile on the stranger. Il
guess ! do"
Can you show me how to find it,"
Yes" Hedges glanced toward the
woman; she was entering the station.
Il can do better. ! can take you there"
"If you will" And the stranger
promptly entered the buggy.
The doctor clucked to his horse and
turned Hospitality. with conversational
intent, to his guest. But the latter
| forestalled him.
Live here?"
Between whiles."
Hal" The stranger smiled. brief
wintry smile. Doctor, See Do you
know Truitt?"
WELL" Hedges spat ruminatively.
that's pretty risky thing to say OF
any man, but | guess"
What do they think OF him here"
| it's his own"
He's a great mechanic" said the
guest shortly.
81" drawled the doctor, know more
about men than mechanics. but"
What do you think Of him." the
guest interrupted again.
The doctor, hoping to complete at
least one sentence, Quickened his
| drawl He's a man who's either los
ing himself or finding himself. I'm
not sure"
"Meaning?"
You wouldn't" chuckled the doc
tor, have time for the explanation"
He drew up before the little cottage.
He lives here"
"Hardly!" the visitor retorted. Il
take the three o'clock train. Much
obliged" He sprang. more briskly
tHdu uiS iotuhuiey PiohiioSo' WV ~
the buggy.
The doctor drove away still chuck
| ling. The chuckle would not have
died even had he known his passenger
to be none other than that Henley
whose star, flashing with comet-like
swiftness and brilliancy above the hor-
lion of speculation. had in two years
achieved full planetary dignity and i'm
| portance. But the doctor was not a
student Of Wall street astronomy.
"Humph!" The luminary surveyed
| the weather-beaten little cottage with
its unkempt yard and nearby smithy.
so he lives here. Affectation. of
counsel"
He strobe up the path and saluted
the old man on the stoop.
Mr.. Truitt lives here, believer"
I'm Simon Truitt. But l reckon
We want Mark, Mr.. Henley"
"Ha! You know me. His father.
I suppose?"
"Yes. saw We once. years ago.
when he was in the hospital"
Il remember" said Henley, who had
forgotten that incident completely. "Is
Truitt about?"
He's at church"
Church! Surely not q habit?"
He goes gener'ly. since he come
back"
Hmm! Something new for Truitt.
Henley frowned. And my times short
l suppose l may as well save some
of 1t, by going over the plant now.
There's no objection. suppose?"
mo; l." Simon ventured uncer
tainly. Il was jest about to 60 over
myself"
iii be glad of>your company" Hen
ley graciously replied. Shall we
start?"
An hour later Henley emerged from
the shadowy finishing mill, blinking
hard in the midday's sunshine and try
ing to revise his estimate of the situa
ton.
He followed Simon out on a tiny
cape that jutted into the river
whence they could see other evidences
OF Truths lucidity-the hospital, the
bank, the store. the cluster of homes
cleaning white on the hillside.
And Henley saw-not as the experts
had seen, happy II they perceived al