The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-08-13

ScpdIdtSu IfOLu LuSIn ny d pdFtlllOut
there brooded another human being
helplessly awaiting message which
would never come, and listening, but
how vainly, for the step and voice for
which he hungered, though they were
the prelude to further shame and the
signal for coming punishment.
So strong was this thought in both
their minds, that the shadow deep
ened upon both faces, as though a
presence had passed between them;
and when Mr.. Black rose, as he very
soon did, it was with an evident dread
of leaving her alone with this thought.
They were lingering yet in the hall.
the good night faltering on their lips.
when suddenly their eyes flashed to-
gether in mutual question, and Deb,
orah bent her ear toward the street,
An automobile was slowing up
stopping-stopping before the gates!
Deborah turned and looked at Mr.
Black. Then the bell rang. Never
had it sounded so shrill and penetrat
ing. Never had it rung quite such a
summons through this desoate house.
RecOiling, she made a motion of en-
treaty
Go" she whispered. Open!
cannot"
Quickly he obeyed. She Leard him
pass out and down the walk, and
through the first gate. Then there
came silence, followed by the open,
Ing of the second gate. Then, sound
like smothered greetings, followed by
quickly advancing steps and voice
she knew:
How is my father? Is he well?
cannot enter till know"
1t was OliVer!-come from some dis
, tant station, or from some other line
which he had believed unmatched
, Tumultuous as her thoughts were. she
, dared not indulge in them for mo
ment, or give way to gratitude or any
r other emotion. There were words tC
be said-wOrds which must be uttered
on the instant and with as much i'm
periousness as his own.
Throwing the door wide, she called
+ down the steps:
. Yes, he is we'll Come in, Mr.. Os
I trander, and you. too, Mr.. Black
Instructions have been given me b!
p the judge, which must deliver a
q once. He expects you, Oliver" sh'
went on, as the two men stepped in
He babe me say to you immediatel,
upon your entrance that much as h
q would like to be on hand to greet you
q he cannot see you tonight For tc
night at least, and up to certain hou
! tomorrow, you are to keep your owI
| counsel. When certain persons who's
| names he has given me can be gotte
| together in this house, he will 1oi
! you, giving you your first meeting 1
| the presence of others. Afterward
he will see you alone. If these plan
i distress you-if you find the della
! hard, am to say that it is even harde
& for him that it can be for you. Blu
7 circumstances compel him to act thus
\ and he expects you to understand an
4 be patient"
| Young Ostrander bowed.
81 have no doubt Of the facts" he a
sured her, with an unsuccessful effol
\ to keep his trouble out of his voic
But as my father allows me som
A explanation, shall be very glad
n hear what has happened here to occ
N sion my imperative recall"
Ih Mr.. Black glanced at Deborah, wb
IA was slipping away. When they foun
III themselves alone together, Oliver
IA manner altered
I "One moment" said he, before M
"a Black could speak. Il should like
a ask you first of all, If Miss Scoville
n better When l left you both SO su
q denly at Tempest Lodge, she was NJ
y well. +"
II "she is quite recovered, Mr.. o
trander."
] InvOIuntarily their glances met in
question which perhaps neither desire
j to have answered Then Oliver 7
70 marked quite simply:
" my haste seemed warranted by n
fathers message. Five minutes-ol
It minute even is of great important
of when you have but fifteen In which
To- catch train"
he and by such route!"
IS "You know my route" A short lau,
escaped him. q feared delay-pC
ed sibly the interference-but why d
i'd cuss these unimportant matters! B
ut your reason for these hasty summo
re- that is what ! am ready now
I'M hear" And he sat down, but In SUI
a way as to throw his face very mu
ng into the shadow.
Or. This was welcome circumstan
N. to the lawyer. His task promised
In. be hard enough at the best Bla
er night had not offered too dark q sore
between him and the man thus sudde
ur Iy called upon to face suspicious t
GU very shadow of which Is enough to {
stroy life. The hardy lawyer shru
- tt