Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-05-21

Remained at the Window.
frightened, darling. It's all right.
Listen to me! Mrs. Desmond is as
safe as"
"Oh, Freddy. Freddy" she walled.
breaking under a strain that he was
not by way of comprehending. "Oh.
Freddy, dear!" Her nerves gave way.
She was sobbing convulsively when
they came to the lower hall.
In great distress. he clasped her in
his arms. mumbling incoherent words
OF love. encouragement-even ridicule
for the fear she betrayed. Far from
his mind was the real cause of her un-
happy plight.
He held her close to his breast and
there she sobbed and trembled as
with a mighty, racking chill Her fin.
gers clutched his arm with the grip
of one who clings to the edge of a
precipice with death below. Her face
was buried against his shoulder.
you will come with me, Freddy?"
she was whispering. clinging to him
as one in panic.
Yes. yes. Don't be frightened, Lyd-
dy. II know everything is all right
now. I'm sure of It,"
"Oh. I'm sure too. dear. have al.
ways been sure" she cried, and he
understood, as SIS had understood.
Despite the p, ests of Jones. they
dqShnd into hn ;.L
derstorm The rain beat down in tor
rents. the din was internal. AS the
door closed behind them Lydia, in the
ecstasy of freedom from restraint bit.
terly imposed. gave vent to a shrill
cry of relief. Words. the meaning of
which he could not grasp. babbled
from her lips as they descended the |
steps. One sentence fell vaguely clear |
from the others. and it puzzled him.
He was sure that she said: "Oh, / am |
so glad. so happy we are out of that
house-you and together"
Close together, holding tightly to
each other. they breasted the whirling
sheets of rain. The big umbrella was
Of little protection to them, although
held manfully to break the force of
the cold flood of waters. They bent
their strong young bodies against the
wind. and a sort of wild, impish hilar.
Ity took possession of them. It was
freedom. after all. They were fighting
force in nature that they understood
and the sharp. staccato cries that
came from their lips were born of an
sxultant glee which neither of them
Gould have suppressed nor controlled.
Their hearts were as wild as the tenn.
best about them.
Mrs. Desmond threw open the door
IS their wet. soggy feet came slosh-
ng down the hall. Frederics arm
vas about Lydia as they approached.
md both of their drenched faces were
Vreathed in smiles-gay. exalted
miles. The mother, white-faced and
earful, stared for a second at the
mazing pair. and then held out her
rms to them.
She was drenched in their embrace
10 one thought of the havoc that was
eing created in that swift. impulsive
ontact. t
i must run back home" exclaimed I
frederic. Lydia placed herself be- I
ween him and the door. i
No! l want you to stay" she cried.
He stared. What a funny ideal" y
Wait until the rain is over" added s
Irs. Desmond. 8
mo. no." cried Lydia. 81 mean for II
i'm to stay here the rest of the night. "
re can put you up. Freddy. IL n
ont want you to go back there un. 81
until tomorrow"
A glad light broke in his face. by o.
We do you know. I'd like to stay. 81
i really would. Mrs. Desmond. Can ei
'u find a place for me?" His voice Of
as eager, his eyes sparkling. CT
yes said the mother, quietly, al d.
ost serenely. You shall have II
ydia's bed, Frederic. She can come m
with me. Yes. you must stay. Are vi
~ not our Frederick" ca
Thank you," he stammered, and his fe
es fell.
1 VIII telephone to Jones when the st
orm apates." said Mrs. Desmond F