The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-06-01
DESTINY WIND
q, M. neutrality-suspicious.

a squall whipped half a letter
from his loosely-clasped fingers and
sent 1t sailing high " the tree
tops.
Certainly it would never fall under
Juliet Ravenel's eye. Any others he
could fiout 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 DO touch OF sentiment-only a
gay and apparently genuine CANA
raderie-when he had been assuring
himself that he had broken her heart.
Public life allured him. How Caro-
Ign had glowed when she came to
know of it. The worldly-wide trick
ster who had sought to advance him
had said: But take 1t from me, son
If you marry her and try to keep on
living up to her you'll be a 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, p~iteously
alone, just turned thirty and so 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 f.
captivate her utterly and thereby ma.
her look at life from a different we
point.
Naturally, Esmay had been toucl
deeply. He had acted honorably, even
laying the case before Carolyn and 81
ding her decide it for him. She hec
answered him in a single sentence
Unless | babe you take the goods tal
gods provide | could not sign mysc1
as | do. always faithfully your trleaa
Carolyn Dare"
He had accepted her verdict end
now the wedding was only a Wees
ahead.
The storm was over, the afterroo
low sun struggling through the .ast
moving clouds. At that moment d car
came swiftly up the drive.
Before he could rush down the two
flights to the hall he heard Juliets
voice demanding peremptorily:
Where is MIR. 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
old Judge Nixon, the widest of the dis
appointed prospective trustees who
had held and managed the Ravenel es-
tate until time had compelled them to
give ii over to its legal owner.
On the way t make a final appeal
to his strong-willed ward. the wind of
destiny had dropped Carolyn's letter
plump into his lap.
Regarding it as a proyidential inter-
position in his favor, Judge Nixon had
taken it straight to Juliet, bidding her
read it-and be cautious.
Come! We will face him with this
-together!" she had said, her eyes
emitting sparks, her lips a livid line.
Now, a gray-faced statue, she hand
ed the sheet to Esmay. saying hoarse-
ly: Il brought it-because 1t seems
important"
Thank youi How kind. 1t is i'm
portant-rather!" Esmay returned
with a reassuring smile. "You don't
know the good sort she is. am saw
ing all the letters that come to me
about-you see, they are to begin the
book l mean to make for you-the
book of our life together"
HIN! Any coupons?" Nixon inter-
jected cruelty.
Esmay smiled placidly. II hope so.
Redeemable at the bank OF happiness"
he said.
Juliet broke, a sob in her throat. ITO
think I-I-distrusted you-surely,
Norbert-you can't forgive me-"
There is nothing to forgive" Es-
may began magnanimously.
Judge Nixon stepped to the phone.
you won't mind If | call up Miss
Dare?" he said specifically.
Juliet broke into violent protest,
but Esmay nodded, smiling outwardly,
though not quite easy at heart. Still
he trusted Carolyn-she had intui-
tons like lightning. Juliet crept be-
side him. laying a timid hand on his
arm-he slipped it half about her and
was remorseful to feel her meager fig
ure tremble like a leaf.
He began to tremble in sympathy.
Suppose Carolyn should blunder after
ALI
Judge Nixon was shrewd-but cross
examinations by long-distance has its
disadvantages. He tried to be non
committal. The third question let
Carolyn know her letter had made
trouble-so clearly that all three
heard her as she called: Surely,