The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-03-24
DESTINY WIND
'sy M. M'cuLLoueH-wiLLIAMs.

4
Esmay would have sneered if you
had said, "A wind of destiny when a
rain squall whipped half a letter
from his loosely -clasped fingers and
sent it sailing high over the tree
tops.
Certainly 1t would never fall under
Juliet Ravenel's eye. ANY others he
could hout or battle, but hers, sharp
ened by an acutely-sensitive jealousy,
would read not only what was in the
lines, but between them.
Carolyn should have known better
than to write so, he reflected irritably.
Yet he had been unreasonably angered
to find no touch of sentiment-only a
gay and apparently genuine cama-
raderie-when he had been assuring
himself that he had broken her heart.
Public life aI1ured him. How Caro-
lyn had glowed when she came to
know of it, The worldly-wide trick.
ster who had sought to advance him
had said: But take it from me. son
-if you marry her and try to keep on
living up to her you'll be failure it
will break her heart to see" Then
after two years OF struggle Fate had
thrown Juliet and her millions in his
path.
She was thin and dark. piteously
alone, just turned thirty and 50 rath-
er older than he. She was narrowly
suspicious of men and their motives
and well she might be-scores had
tried to marry her ON the strength of
her expectations.
Just then came Norbert Esmay to
eaptivate her utterly and thereby make
her look at life from a different view
point.
Naturally, Esmay had been touched
deeply. He had acted hoporably, even
laying the case before Carolyn and bid
ding her decide it for him. She had
answered him in a single sentence:
Unless | bade you take the goods the
gods provide | could not sign myself,
as do, always faithfully your friend,
Carolyn Dare"
He had accepted her verdict and
now the wedding was only a week
ahead.
The storm was over, the afternoon
low sun struggling through the fast-
moving clouds. AT that moment car
came swiftly up the drive.
Before he could rush down the two
flights to the hall he heard Juliet's
voice demanding peremptorily:
Where is Mr.. Esmay? / want him
at once"
Right here in person. Esmay an
swered, coming forward with arms out
stretched in welcome.
Juliet had come in the company of
cid Judge Nixon, the wiliest of the dis
appointed prospective trustees who
had held and managed the Ravenel es-
tate until time had compelled them to
give it over to it's legal owner
On the way to make final appeal
to his strong-willed ward, the wind of
destiny had dropped Carolyn's letter
plump into his lap.
Regarding it as providential inter-
position in his favor, Judge Nixon had
taken it straight to Juliet, bidding her
read it-and be cautious.
Come! We win face him with this
-togetherl" she had said her eyes
emitting sparks, her lips liyid line.
Now, gray-faced statue, she hand
ed the sheet to Esmay, saying hoarse-
ly: Il brought it-because it seems
important"
Thank youl How kind. 1t is inn
portant-ratheri' Esmay returned
With a reassuring smile. you don't
know the good sort she is. l am saw
ing all the letters that come to me
about-you see, they are to begin the
book I mean to make for you-the
book of our life together"
"H-ml Any coupons?" Nixon inter-
iected cruelty.
Esmay smiled placidly 81 hope so.
Redeemable at the bank of happiness
he said.
Juliet broke, sob in her throat. ITO
think I-l-distrusted. you-surely,
Norbert-you can't forgive Ee"
1HSAo 10 uOlHluB u lOISNe, rs
may began magnanimously.
Judge Nixon stepped to the phone.
You won't mind if / call up Miss
Dare?" he said skeptically.
Juliet broke into violent protest,
but Esmay nodded, smiling outwardly,
though not quite easy at heart. Still
he trusted Carolyn-she had :Etui-
lions like lightning Juliet crept be-
side him, laying timid hand on his
arm-he slipped it half about her and
was remorseful to feel her meager fig
lre tremble like a leaf
He began to trenble in sympathy.
Suppose Carolyn should blunder after
Ill!
Judge Nixon was shrewd-but cross
by long-distance has its ]
He tried to De non
;ommittal The third question let
carolyn know her letter had made
rouble-so clearly that all three
leard her as she called: Surely,
udge, / wrote beautiful letter