Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-06-29
IN THE MEANTIME
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

off and on, since his bOyhOOd.
Reasonably Gel tain that Molly Cra-
ven and her mother would be at
home. since it was nine o'clock at
night. he anticipated the surprise with
which they would welcome him home
after his three months idle vagabOnd-
age.
The cottage was tiny. only big
enough to house Molly, her mother and
himself. Molly had been the only sis
ter he had known, and Mrs. Craven
the only mother. and their home was
always his home.
There was dim light burning in the
familiar lamp that always stood beside
the piano.
He whistled the peculiar little
whistle that heretofore had brought
Molly and her mother running out to
meet him. There was no answer. He
Knocked loudly on the door. Not a
sound came from within.
What can they be doing out at nine,
o'clock when there's no one to visit
within three miles," Charlie wan
dered about the house trying to find a
means of entrance
After much effort he succeeded In
squeezing himself through a small win
dow in the cellar
After ambling about the familiar
rooms he finally returned to the kitch-
en-. made himself a cupful of tea
into the little living room to make
himself comfortable until the return
of Molly and Mrs. Craven.
He had not intended to sleep i'm the
great chesterfield, but he did.
When Daphne Earl and her mother
returned from long moonlight stroll
and found strange man sleeping on
the chesterfield, and that same young
mans suitcase lying open beside him
and the contents generously sprinkled
about the room they would have faint
ed had they been less sensible women.
Not wanting to prOlOng the scene
that might be troublesome, Daphne
thought quickly as to the best means
Of waking the stranger. 81 will bang
the piano." she said, and suited the
action to the words. After resOund-
ing bang on the piano she and her
mother both slipped into chairs and
waited results.
Charlie suddenly startled from most
delightful dreams, flung the paper from
his face and jumped up. expecting to
clasp Molly and her n. Jther in his
ample embrace.
He fell back, his face blanching.
"Great Scott! Who are you peo-
ple?"
"If it is not impertinent," Daphne
asked cody, 81 would ask the same
question of YOU"
81 am Charles Delroy, and I've been
brought up in this house. 1 have slept
on this chesterfield thousands Of
times" He gazed blankly at Daphne,
who only smiled back at him.
"We have rented this cottage fur
nished, for two months" she told him.
81 know you are speaking the truth
and that you are not a burglar. be-
cause your photograph adorns my
dressing table. / suppose Molly Craven
likes you well enough to keep 1t there"
EYES," Charlie said boyishly. "they
do like me. In fact, 1 have no one in
the world who loves Jme half so well
as Molly and her mother. But" he
arose quickly. 81 have no right to be
here now, and apologize most humbly
for the appalling liberty I've taken"
He would have gathered his belong
ings had not Mrs. Earl stopped him
with n soft word.
1--WE know there Is not train back
to town nor n hotel in the village"
she said. you must stop with us at
least for the night. Don't you think
he could. Daphne?"
"If Mr.. Delroy would prefer it to
hiking the fifteen miles back to town."
she said, with a delightful blush.
IAN answer would be foolish"
Charlie said, looking at Mrs. Earl, but
adding to the joy of Daphne's presence
to an extravagant degree. 81 feel an
awful intruder" he added, at must
have given you a fright to find a per-
feet stranger lolling here"
at did until you woke and pulled the
newspaper from your face. Then we
recognized you as the vagabond Charlie
Delroy. Of whom Molly speaks so
often" Daphne told him.
Mrs. Earl had gone quietly out to
prepare the prodigal's room for him.
"But how does 1t happen we have
never metz" Charlie questioned.
"You are never more than few days
in one part Of the globe" she said,
trifie petulantly.
Charlie smiled.
81 feel that my vagabond days are
over" he said. gazing with deliberate
meaning into Daphne's eyes. "And now
am wondering where, Molly and Mrs.
Craven are"
''They are stopping In our fiat In
town. In the meantime we are taking
advantage of the country"
"And | am taking advantage OF
your hospitality-it doesn't seem quite
right"
Its perfectly all right" Daphne
told him, because there are many
small things TO do about the hen coop
and the potato patch that neither
mother nor | can notwithstanding
city folk" She smiled and half low
eret her lashes. Besides. | rather
liked your photograph. and now want