Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-05-12
DESTINY WIND
BY N. Neutrality-suspicious..

{sy M. neutrality-suspicious.. (
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ~~sss~~~~s~~~~s
Esmay would have sneered II you
had said. "A wind of destiny" when q
RAIN sQuall whipped half q letter
from his loosely-clasped fingers and
sent it sailing high over the tree
tops.
Certainly 1t would never fall under
Juliet Ravenels eye. Any others he
could fout 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 q
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 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 so rath-
er older than he. She was narrowly
suspicious Of men and their motives
and well shc might be-scores had
tried to marry her on the strength of
her expectations.
Just then came Norbert Esmay to
captivate her utterly and thereby make
her look at life from a different view
point.
Naturally, Esmay had been touched
deeply. He had acted honorably, even
laying the case before Carolyn and bid
ding her decide 1t for him. She had
answered him in q single sentences:
Unless l babe you take the goods the
gods provide could not sign myself.
as l 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 a 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
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 1t over to its legal owner.
On the way to make q 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 1t 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 livid line.
Now, q gray-faced statue, she hand
ed the sheet to Esmay. saying hoarse-
ly: Il brought it-because it seems
important"
Thank you! How kind. It 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. Il hope so.
Redeemable at the bank of happiness"
he said.
Juliet broke, 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 il l call up Miss
Dare?" he said specifically.
Juliet broke into violent protest,
but Esmay nodded, smiling outwardly,
though not quite easy at heart. Stin
he trusted Carolyn-she had intui-
tons like lightning. Juliet crept be-
side him. laying q timid hand on his
arm-he slipped 1t half about her and
was remorseful to feel her meager fig.
ure tremble like leaf.
He began to tremble in sympathy.
Suppose Carolyn should blunder after
all!
Judge Nixon was shrewd-but cross
examinations by long-distance has it's
disadvantages. He tried to be nom
committal. The third question let
Carolyn know her letter had made
trouble-so clearly that all three
heard her as she called: Surely,
Judge. l wrote a beautiful letter
don't know just what 1t said-but the
formula isn't copyrighted. Mr.. and
Mrs. Norbert Esmay are welcome to
use 1t when they felicitate me-yes-
I'm going to marry. When? Oh, az
soon as Billy Wickham gets his new
house done-and asks me-"
Juliet pushed the Judge aside. say. |