The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-05-18

For two days Anita wandered
wraithlike about the great darkened
house. The thought that Ramon was
keeping something from ner-that he
and her dead father together had kept
a secret which, for some reason, must
not be revealed to her, weighed upon
her spirits. Conjectures as to the I'M
known intruder on the night of her ia
theirs death, and his possible purpose,
flooded her mind to the conclusion of
all else
In the dusk of the winter afternoon
she was lying on the couch in her
dressing-room, lost in thought, when
Ellen, tapping lightly at the door, in
tsrrupted her reverie.
sThe minister, Miss Anita-the Rev.
Dr. Franklin-he is in the drawing
room"
"Oh," Anita gave. a little move
ment OF dismay. Tell b m that ! am
suffering from a very severe head
ache, and gave orders that ! was not
to be disturbed by anyone. He means
well, Ellen, of course, but he always
depresses me horribly, lately. / don't
feel like talking to him this after
noon"
"The maid retired, but returned
again almost Immediately with sur
prised, half-frightened expression on
her usually stolid face.
please, Miss Anita, DR.. Franklin
says he must see you and at once. He
seems to be excited and he won't take
no for an answer.
"Ramon!" Anita cried, springing
from the couch with swift apprehen-
sion. Something has happened to Ra-
mon, and DR.. has come to tell me. He
may be injured, dead, All, God would
not do that; He would not take him
from me, too"
Don't take on SO. Miss, Anita,
DEAR" the faithful Ellen murmured,
as she deity smoothed the girls hair
and rearranged her gown; "the little
man acts more as II he had fine
piece of gossip to pass on-fidgeting
about like an old woman, he is. Beg
ging your pardon, Miss, know he is
q minister, Of course, and l ought to
show more respect. but forever he re-
minds of a fat black pigeon
The remarks of the privileged old
servant fell upon deaf, unheeding ears.
Anita, sobbing softly beneath her
breath, flew down to the drawing
room, where the pompous black-cloak-
ed figure rose at her entrance. But
: was it purely Anita's fancy or had
some indefinable change actually TAX
en- place in the manner of her spirit
ual adviser? The rather closest
eyes seemed to the girl to CLEAN some.
what coldly upon her, and although he
took both her hands in his in quick
fatherly greeting, his hand-clasp ap
3 peared all at once to be lacking ii
= warmth.
% "My poor child. my poor Anita" he
began unctuously, but she interrupted
him.
What is it, Dr. Franklin? Has
something happened to Ramon" she
asked swiftly please tell me! now
without delay! Don't keep me in sus
pense. | can tell by your face, your
- manner, that a new misfortune has
come to me, Does it concern Ramon ?
ooh, no.: it is not Mr.. Hamilton
You need have no fears for him, Anita
have come upon business matter
a matter connected with your dear ia
theirs estate.
Anita motioned him to chair
). Seating herself opposite, she gazed a
him inquiringly.
"The settlement Of the estate? Oh
> the lawyers are attending to that
believe" Anita spoke little coldly
Had DIR. Franklin come already to ir
quire about a possible legacy for 81
James?
She was ashamed OF the thought tn
next moment, when he said gently
Eyes, but there is something which
must tell you. 1t has been requisite
that I do so. 1t is a delicate matte
to discuss with you, but surely no on