The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-05-15
'"TheCrevice'


"But suppose they have gone, not
wholly to offer you consolation, but to
confer with you upon some business
matters upon which 1t would be ad
vantageous for you to inform your
self? Your grief and desire for Sc
clusion are most natural, under the
circumstances, but one must some
times consider earthly things also"
The minister's evidently eager desire
to be present at an interview with the
great men and to place himself on
more familiar footing with them was
so obvious that Anita's gesture of dis
sent held also something of repug-
nance.
u could not, DR.. Franklin. Perhaps
later, when the first shock has passed,
but not yet. You understand that /
like them both most cordially. Those
whom father trusted must be men of
sterling worth, but just now / feel as
must any animal which has been beat
en- | want to creep off into dark
and silent place until my misery dulls
a little"
You have borne up wonderfully
we'll dear child. under the severe
shock of this tragedy Mrs Franklin
and ! have remarked upon it. You
have exhibited the same self-mastery
and strength Of character which made
your father the man he was" DR..
Franklin rose from his chair with a
sigh which was not altogether per-
functory Think well over what /
have said. Try to realize that your
only consolation and strength in this
hour OF your deepest sorrow comes
from on high, and believe that if you
take your poor, crushed heart to the
Throne OF Grace it shall be healed.
That has been promised US. Think
also, of what have just said to you
concerning your fathers associates,
and when they call, as they will, OF
course, do very shortly, try to receive
them with your usual gracious charms
and should they proffer you any ad
vice upon worldly matters, which we
must not permit ourselves to neglect
send for me. will leave you now
Mrs. Franklin will call upon you to
morrow. Try to be brave and calm
and pray for the guidance which will
be vouchsafed you, should you ask It.
frankly and freely"
Anita Lawton gave him her hand
and accompanied him in silence to the
door. There with a few gentle words
she dismissed him, and when the
sound Of his measured footsteps had
diminished, she closed the door with a
little gasp of half relief and. turned
to the window. It had been an effort
to her to see and talk with her spirit
ual adviser. whose Hypocrisy she had
vaguely folt.
If only Ramon had come-Ramon
whose wife she would be in a short
time. and who must now be father
"a we'll AS husband to her. She glanc
ed at the little French clock on the
mantel He was late--he had promis
ed TO be there at four. AS she parted
the heavy curtains. the telephone upon
her fathers desk in the corner shrilled
sharply. When she took the receiver
off the hook, the voice of her lover
came to the girl as clearly. tenderly
as if he himself, stood side her,
Anita, dear may I come to you
= now"
ooh. please do. Ramon; have beer
waiting for YOU. Dr. Franklin called
this afternoon. and while he was here
with me Mr.. Rockamore and Mr.. Nal
lowe came, but I could not see them
There is something feel I must tall
over with you"
She hung up the receiver with little
sigh, and for the first time in days {
faint suspicion of a smile lightenet
her face AS she turned away, how
ever, her eyes fell upon the grea
leather chair by the hearth, and he
expression changed as she gave an I'm
comfortable shudder 1t was in tina
chair that her father had been foun'
on that fateful morning. about a weel
ago, clad still in the dinner clothes o
the previous evening. a faint. intro
spective smile upon his keen. 'inscrut