The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-10-22

WV
Frederic, White Faced and scowIlns,
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 strain that he was
not by way of compromising. ooh,
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 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.
eyes, yes. Don't be frightened, Lyd-
dy. II know everything is all right
now. I'm sure of 1t"
ooh, I'm sure too, dear. I have al
ways been sure" she cried, and he
understood, as she had understood.
Despite the protests Of Jones, they
dashed out into the bIighting thun-
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: ooh, am
so glad, so happy we are out of that
house-you and l 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 hiIar-
ity took possession Of them. 1t was
freedom, after all. They were fighting
a force in nature that they understood
and the sharp, staccato cries that
came from their lips were born of an
exultant glee which neither of them
could have suppressed nor controlled.
Their hearts were as wild as the tenn
pest about them.
Mrs. Desmond threw open the door
as their wet, soggy feet came slosh-
ing down the hall. Frederic's arm
was about Lydia as they approached,
and both of their drenched faces were
wreathed in smiles-gay, exalted
smiles. The mother, white-faced and
fearful, stared for a second at the
amazing pair, and then held out her
arms to them.
She was drenched in their embrace.
No one thought of the havoc that was
being created in that swift, impulsive
contact
q must run back home" exclaimed
Frederic. Lydia placed herself be-
tween him and the door.
mo! ! want you to stay" she cried.
He stared. What a funny ideal"
"Wait until the rain is over" added
Mrs. Desmond.
mo, no." cried Lydia. II mean for
him to stay here the rest Of the night.
We can put you up, Freddy. IL
don't want you to go back there IN
til-until tomorrow"
A glad light broke in his face. "By
iove, do you know, I'd like to stay.
II really would, Mrs. Desmond. Can
you find place for me?" His voice
was eager, his eyes sparkling.
EYES," said the mother, quietly, al.
most serenely. "You shall have
Lydias bed, Frederic She can come
in with me. Yes, you must stay. Are
you not our Frederick"
THANK you" he stammered, and his
eyes fell.
81 will telephone to Jones when the
storm abates," said Mrs. Desmond