Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER xII-Contlnued.

James auto ride with Brand was clandes
tine. He does not tell Bob about II.
CHAPTER xIi-Contlnued
She and Collins >went over before
breakfast and viewed the scene Of
chaos left by the night intruder. The
burglars endeavor to get away had
been much less orderly than hif
stealthy entrance. Overturned chairs
and other evidences of disorder told
the story Of the struggle he had had
with the little defender Of the home
Jane wept as her neighbor lifted the
body of the little terrier whose warn
haps, saved her from a greater calam
ity than being robbed Collins carried
the dog to far corner Of the garden
They buried him and heaped a mound
above the spot, Jane promising herself
that he should have a more -rmanent
monument to his loyalty in the future
After much persuasion and repeated
assurances that they would never be
left alone again. she prevailed upon
her maid of all work to return to the
house and she set about putting 1t in
order.
In the evening Bob came. His sepa-
ration from Jane. though but a day,
had seemed a week, for 1t was the
first time. He took her In his arms
and kissed her fervently. Reynolds
love for his wife was, like himself.
big and strong The slight constraint
Jane had felt since the advent of
Brand and her clandestine meetings
with him, had not impaired itself to
Bob. for he was ignorant of the cause
He was by nature very tender with
those he loved. His address to Jane
after five years Of marrie' life still be.
took Of the endearing terms of honey
moon days. To the ears of aliens this
turtle-dove patois often strikes a dis
cordant note. Either 1t bespeaks
hypocrisy and provokes a smile from
the knowing, or 1t stamps the speaker
as q sentimental idiot. But from Bob
tender phrases never had the sound
of platitudes. They rang true. They
took their strength from him and de-
manded like for like.
There are some women upon which
such sincere devotion and respect as
Reynolds gave his wife seem to pail;
but they are not women; they are
mere animated sparks, handmaidens
in armament of souls who dance and
sparkle for a while. but who, lacking
dynamic warmth of their own, wither
and are effaced by real celestial rays.
Jane was not such creature. She
was not weary of Bob. In her yearning
for what she deemed the better things
she was as eager for him to share
them as herself. She returned her
husbands embraces now with as much
ardor as they were given.
WAS l lonesome?" she said In an
swer to his question. well. guess |
was. and more than that. You simply
can't leave me that way again. dear
est"
1T won't happen often" he told her.
I'VE got caught mapping on a big Job
and was the only man they could
send. They asked me the last minute
and there was no other way. l thought
about you every minute, honey. You
know l did," he added quickly, for
this Black river dam is only about
twenty miles from your home and |
passed through familiar scenes; scenes
that we remember well. don't we? How
many dear days they brought to mind"
She patted his cheek and led him
over to their corner at the window
seat.
I've got lot to tell you, sweet
heart. More than how lonesome I
was. You missed some excitement last
night"
Then as they sat Turk fashion
among the pillows she related her
thrilling experience OF the night be-
fore. His brows contracted as he lis
tened. He leaned over once, drawing
her to him and kissing her. The
thought that she had been In actual
peril alarmed him acutely. And it
was not alone the thought of what she
had passed through, but the thought
that she might be called upon at any
time to go through II again. He knew
that he was at the beck and call OF his
company and that while he had not
been chosen for such missions before,
now that II had used him In such ca
pacity II would do so again. Ii that
were SO they would be better of back
in New York. The stuffy little fat
that had become such an eyesore. such
a prison; even that would be better
than this secluded bungalow Il his
wife was to be subjected to dangers
and terrors. He expressed his thou ghts
and James response was ready.
Bob" she said softly. there is
way out Of all this. / have taken you
at your word and kept silent. but you
know what mean?'
A frown passed over his face; a look
not OF anger. but Of pain.
you mean Brandt" he asked.
Yes"
He dropped her hand. Unconscious
ly his whole form stiffened. He got up
from The window seat and stood look-
ing down at her.
Yes, there is q way out" he an
swered. but that II not the way