American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-08-17

his befuGdled consciousness, he found
himself Unexpectedly at home, the door
to his sitting room shutting out the
Weakening world.
he shivered again, bethought him Of
a certain decanter whose contents
ought to provide temporary relief for
tangled nerves, and In search for it
came abruptly upon a framed photo
graph which decorated his study table.
The face that was pictured therein
was the face Of Patria, smiling, ex-
quisite, p%rovokingly coquettish.
A phase Of mock sobriety possessed
the mind Of Rodney Wrenn as he
picked up the photograph and stood
staring hungrily at it.
He recalled a day that was scarcely
six weeks old, when Patria, the self
same girl whose counterfeit present.
ment was smiling into his eyes, had
seemed to be wholly his. pledged to
become his bride by an understanding
no less complete if tacit.
They had been ~light-hearted lovers
on that day, and on many a day that
udu gone DtIOTe.
Then, in a twinkling. Donald Parr
had stepped between them.
In the opinion Of Rodney his subse-
quent sufferings had aged him swiftly
to full manhood. But he was herein
self-deluded; he remained a boy, Of
mans stature but of youthful mental
ity. As he was presently to prove.
His look grew still more morose as
he reviewed the events which had fol-
lowed the coming of Captain Parr.
There had been a brief time when
Donald had seemed to be high in the
favor Of the girl. So constantly were
the two together that the gossip Of
Newport had ~excusably bruited their
engagement. And that was something
which Rodney. for all his resentment.
had been able to understand. The boy
ish herO-wOrship which he had always
accorded Donald Parr still maintained
its sway upon his thoughts. It was
quite conceivable that the girl should
become-perhaps only temporarily-in-
fatuated with such a man.
But all the time she was changing.
her very nature was changing incom-
p~rehensibly. Hardly had society set
tied itself to accept Captain Parr as
the fortunate sutton when. following
one Of Patria's business trips to New
York. all that was of. Donald was in
deep disfavor and Baron Huroki. that
sly, suave japanese. and his constant
associate. Senior Juan de Lima, the
lanky. crude Mexican millionaire. were
constantly at Patria's elbows. with
Fanny Adair forming a triumvirate OF
her intimates.
Coincident had been the Punishment
of Rodney and his mother. who since
Patria's childhood had stood in loco
PARENTS to the girl, managing her sew
eral households in town and county
supervising her education. chaperoning
her social life.
And now. but a few weeks later
weeks unmarked by any token of con
triton from Patria or even Of remem.
brance of their eXistence-the paper,
were publishing formal announcement
OF her betrothal TO Juan de Lima.
II was all incredible TO Rodney
Such heartlessness. such Inconsistency
passed comprehension.
Rage clouded his wits and senses.
Jade :" he muttered sullenly.
Needless of risk to his hands. hi
shattered the glass in the frame witt
a blow of his fist, ripped out the photo
graph, and tore ii across and again.
Then. as the fragments fell TO tn,
floor. he sank into a chair, dropped hi.
head on a forearm on the table. anC
sobbed gustily.
Almost Immediately he fell asleep
At precisely the same time Donal,
was carrying the se~mi-consciOus cir
into the sitting room Of his own lodg
ings. his assistant Ryley lowering il
attendance. ready 10 lend assistance
needed-or permitted.
The door was opened by a half-fran
tic woman of middle age-Patria'
maid-who took the girl to her mater
nal bosom as soon as Parr relinquishe'
her.
"Oh. my deariel :" she cried. "Wher
have you came from in such a state?
"Out OF the jaws of death. out o
the mouth Of hell" Parr answered 70
Patria. IF You had obeyed orders
Anne. and stayed awake till she wa
asleep. this would never have haT
pened. She followed me TO III
Bayonne docks last night: there wa
a fire-caused by those accurSed Jap
and we were caught in il. How W
escaped-ask Ryley. I don't know
l.. But don't stand there. stat
ing. Get Miss Claiming to bed imm'
' diately-get her out of those We
r clothes and wrap her up warml!
Don't talk. 10 as I bid youi"
. The girl had revived sufficiently
walk. As. supported by the maid. sh
disappeared in the direction Of the be,
chamber. Parr turned 10 Ryley.
ats six" he announced. taking OF
: his watch. Don't sleep till you q