The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-05-26

with back to her. little man of fur
tive Presence, oddly like the JAPANESE
whom Kitchener had BOWED over in
/ the woods that morning.
/ She had hardly APPEARED by The
window when the man in evening
dress nodded Pleasantly, aS if t"rIli-
mating Il casual conversation. and the
other stepped, Instantly Yet without
/ apparent haste. down 10 thc lawn and
/ quickly Disappeared amid the slad-
ow> of Shruhbery.
The incident made little impression
upon her. But she WAS relieved 10
ser the remaining guest turn and leis-
ur"ly Sauutrr away.
A. he rounded the further corner
of the house, Il shaft of light from an
other window identified his profile,
Enthusiastically rs Baron Huroki'S.
y light footStrp sounded behind her;
she reused in dismay. striving To calm
Il heart in panic.
'IIccS Channing:"
Patria all but Cigglcd with the rcac-
ton from her fear lest Captain parr
had found her there. in a mood all too
melting.
rs it you. Senior de Lima? How
fortunate! l haven't had a real chance
to speak To you tonight, but now"
Patria was startled To find DE Lima
So close beside her; his breath famed
her cheek.
'Mees Channins-Patria- love
yOuw
"Ah, but please"
"NO-listen to me. | beg YOU will
marry me. | am mad about YOU"
You are mad indeed Senior de
Lima, to imagine I'd ever marry any
one hut an American"
'IOu will forget that-in my arms. ~
Patria uttered slight cry. DE
Lima had taken unto himself one of
her hands and was covering it with
kisses.
As if in answer to that cry. she
heard De Lima'S half smothercd cX-
of annoyance felt her hand
abruptly released, and discovered Cap
tain Parr standing almost betwecIl
hem.
Pardon, Miss Claiming, but this is
ny dance, isn't it,"
She laughed little, almost hyster.
cally: rs it, Captain Parr? Why, yes, l
If course it is. How stupid of me.
lou will forgive me, Senior de Lima? '
The Mexican recovered admirably. (
stepping back with bow.
The music ceased; their flying feet I
we're stilled; Patria awoke as from a
lream. faint suggestion of ap- I
'lauSe made her appreciate that they !
lad had the floor practically TO them Il
elves.
Her embarrassment was such that b
he never knew just what it was she b
aid to Captain Parr as they hastily,
y way of another window, sought the b
efuge of the veranda. a
She never, indeed, could quite re- $
all what passed between them in the 4
curse Of the next few minutes. il
y fOotman found them with the in b
)rmation that Patria was wanted on ci
he telephone: Long distance calling "
'om New York. II
little dazed by the conflict of her
enses, she responded mechanically. p
A moment later she was in the H. d.
rary-quite by herself-with a re- 81
eiver to her ear. Then a voice fall
red through the night, a voice most
ear, yet strangely faint, iterating her -.
me-"Patria"-over and over. W
She managed to make the speaker
lderstand that she was Patria. III
peter Ripley speaking-your guar al
an. The nations welfare rests with 81
)u. And l am dying" ~
On the echo of that last word the ~
port of n pistol shot reverberated
'er the wire, so loudly and seemingly
near at hand that it might have y
zen fired in the room adjoining that
herein Patria stood. -
Almost instantly It was echoed by 10
lOther repOrt