The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-08-07

| NOT SuHSHlHe outside, anu DIS SdZe'
around the place | noted how mucl
more luxurious and tasteful it now wa!
to what ii had been in the days whel
| had visited its owner several year!
before.
I'VE are awfully glad to be up here.
my pretty companion was saying. 1--WE
had such busy season in London.
And then she went on to describe the
court ball. and two or three of the
most notable functions about which
had read in my English paper beside
! the Mediterranean.
She attracted me on account of her
bright vivacity, quick wit and keen
| sense of humOr. her gossip interested
me, and as the golden sunset flooded
the handsome old room | sat listening
to her. inwardly admiring her innate
| grace and handsome countenance.
had no idea who or what her father
was-whether a wealthy manufacturer
like so many who take expensive
shoots and give big entertainments in
order to edge their way into society by
Its back door, or whether he was a
gentleman of means and of good fam
lily. ! rather guessed the latter. from
his gentlemanly bearing and polished
manner. His appearance, tall and
erect, was that of a retired officer. and
his clean-cut face was one of marked
distinction.
| was telling my pretty companion
something of my own life. how, be-
cause loved Italy so well, | lived in
Tuscany in preference to living in Eng
land, and how each year | came home
for a month or two to visit my rela-
tons and to keep in touch with things.
Suddenly she said: Il was once in
Leghorn for few hours. We we're
yachting in the Mediterranean. love
the sea-and yachting is such awfully
good fun, if you only get decent
weather"
The mention of yachting brought
back to my mind the visit of the Lola
and its mysterious sequel.
Your father has a yacht, them" |
remarked, with as little concern as |
could.
Yes. The Iris. My uncle is cruising
on her up the Norwegian Fiords. For
us it is change to be here, because
we are so often afioat."
so you must have made many long
voyages, and seen many odd corners of
the world, Miss Leithcourt?" | re-
marked, my interest in her increasing,
for she seemed so extremely intelli-
gent and well informed.
"Oh, yes. We've been to Mexico.
and to Panama, besides Morocco
Egypt and the west coast of Africa"
"And you've actually landed at Leg
horn!" | remarked
Yes, but we didn't stay there more
than an hour-to send a telegram. i
think it was. Father said there was
nothing to see there. He and | went
ashore, and l must say l was rather
You are quite right. The town it. |
self is ugly and uninteresting. But the !
Jacopo, Ardenza and |
are all delightful. 1t was |
unfortunate that you did not see them.
Was it long ago when you put in
here?"
Not very long. really don't recol-
ect the exact date" was her reply.
We were on our way home from Alex
lndria"
Have you ever, in any of the ports
'ou've been, seen a yacht called the
-ola?' | asked eagerly, for it occurred
o me that perhaps she might be able
o give me information.
THE Lola!" she gasped, and instant
y her face changed. A flush over
pread her cheeks, succeeded next mo-
nent by a deathlike pallor. THE
OLA" she repeated in a strange.
oarse voice, at the same time en-
eavoring strenuously not to exhibit
ny apprehension. mo. | have never
card of any such a vessel. Is she a
team yacht? Who's her owner?"
| regarded her in amazement and
uspicion, for | saw that mention of
ne name had aroused within her soma
erious misgiving. That look in her
ark eyes as they fixed themselves ,
pom me was one of distinct and IN ,
peakable terror.
What could she possibly know con- ,
erning the mysterious craft?
Il don't know the owners name"
aid, still affecting not to have noticed :
er alarm and apprehension. THE :
essel ran aground at the Meloria. a :
angerous shoal outside Leghorn, and :
trough the stupidity of her captain .
as very nearly lost"
"Yes?" she gasped, in a half-whisper :
ending to me eagerly, unable to suf. L
GENTLY conceal the terrible anxiety =
her. And you-did Won 90
BOARD herr" :,
YES" was the only word I uttered :.
A silence fell between us, and as NV i
'es fixed themselves upon her, | saw II
at from her handsome mobile conn.
nance all the light and life had sud. h
My gone out, and I knew that she T,
as in secret possession of the kew h
that remarkable enigma that so nuz. %
ed me.
cabbage and dried peas are rich 7
iron. Among the fruits that have
enty OF iron are dried prunes, apples