The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-08-17
FIFTH EPISODE
The Life Current.

hihS VI DlluSCS DCullcy pldllly W Hi
ippa, yet he felt he could not tell her
all he knew of that renegade's at
tempts on his life without laying HIM
self open to doubt.
After the double ho!dup in which |
both Bridgey and Peter had been
fooled and Philippa had been the real
victim the two men had fought shy
Of each other
Accident brought them together
again and under dramatic circum-
stances. Both had been invited to
one of the smart affairs of the early
season at the Brewster home. Mr..
Bentley, arriving early, had singled
Philippa out, and it cheered his heart
to find that she still regarded him in
the light Of hero.
1t fell to the lot of Peter to dance
with a pretty girl whose dark beauty
had won her numerous admirers.
Peter had caught sight of the lady
Of his heart and his one thought was
how to get rid of his partner without
being rude. He could hardly finish the
dance, so anxious was he to escape;
nor did he see all this while that he
was being observed with a tolerant
smile by lady whose face was partly
hidden by large fan. Her eyes fol-
lowed him as he bowed his partner
to seat, and as he hurried away the
lady with the fan rose and leiSurely
disappeared in the same direction.
Peter lost no time in making his
way to a secluded portion of the big
hall, where behind row of palms he
caught a glimpse of Philippa sitting
in confidential conversation with Bent
ley.
As he passed behind these palms
Peter could hear without being seen.
Unfortunately their words were
few, though their actions were elO-
quent of understanding. Peter saw
Bentley raise Philippa's gloved hand
! and kiss it tenderly. He clenched his
/ fingers, but any further waiting was
made useless by the departure of the
two just us the lady with the fan
came into view.
Peter resolved to ask Philippa for
the next dance and then to question
her point blank
Peter in following out his plan near
lily ran into Philippa, who had come
into collision with a waiter. The lat
ter, carrying tray, lost his balance
and a glass of water deluged Philippians
gown. Bentley was most solicitous.
ats nothing" laughed Phillppa. "Ill
run to my room and change" And
she disappeared, brushing past Peter
who tried in vain to get word with
her. He strolled into the conservatory
where, seated by herself, was the CIR
who had caused him these weeks Of
anxiety.
Its so good to be alone with you
Peter" said the bewitching creature
"after so long with those stupid PEG
pie"
Peter had been through similar ex
periences with the girl he believed t.
be the bearer of the double cross, 81
that now he sch0Oled himself to as
,,,,,,o N obillu attitude
whats your gamer" he asked, pc
litely. "Why is it that you spend you
Whole time trying to deceive me?"
Her amused look angered him.
mean it. All / ask is fair and squar
game, Philippa. One minute you al
low me to believe that you care for m
a little and the next you treat me Xix
dirt"
"Come, come, Peter" said the CIR
taking his hand in both Of hers; "ar
! YOU making all this fuss over a littl
fiirtation--a harmless bit of amust
: ment? Don't pay any attention to 1
You're the one I really like. 70
, know that, don't you?"
81 want to know it," he answered.
', moving close to her and drinking
the light of her fine eyes.
She pressed his hand-and Pete
was won. He sighed happily. swell
it didn't take you long to change vol
gown, did it," he asked.
? "Oh, no, of course not! So you sa
} the accident! Wasn't it stupid of Il
\ waiter?"
She rose. 'But you're not going
cried Peter.
} "But am" she said.
He lifted her hand to his lips ar
I. held 1t there while Mr.. Bentley, wi
i was also seeking Phillppa, looked,
I. Peter had looked and beheld VIII
! Peter had beheld. The effect (
I Bridgey was just what the effect hi
1 been on his rival. He was anger
! through and through.
+ But the evening was to furnish
I further surprise for Peter, for -
T