The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-10-05
TWELFTH EPISODE
The Riddle of the Cross.

When Annessley by refusing to d.
vulge the number of the house into
which Philippa had gone, had made
himself thes laughing stock Of his
friends the police, he went to his room
to think over the situation. 1t seemed
plain that Philippa was still in love
with Bentley-that was the only rea-
son the reporter could give to explain
her visit.
His own duty was to report at once
to, his city editOr-and this he pro-
ceeded to do with heavy heart-that
gentleman received him with anticipa-
ton Of success.
"You got him, eh?"
AnneSsley shook his head. "No, but
] know where he is"
"Good, fine, what's the idea"
1.-THE trouble is," said Annessley, IT
can't tell where he is without bringing
someone else into the affair"
"Well, what. of that-yOu know
where he is, that's the great thing
what's the address"
AnneSsley shook his head-"T might
as we'll tell you" he answered, "the
girl 1 love, loves him."
The editor stared. "And you mean
to say that you're willing to let nice
girl throw herself away on a scoun-
drel like that? Why, man, it's your
duty to protect the girl from him If
you really care for her."
"YOu think so?" asked the young
man with Frightening eyes.
| "Think so, why it's certain-get af'
ter him quick-can't you see it?''
! "Yes," said AnnesSley, "you'rt
right-the fellow may have some hold
over her-I never thought Of that
you're right-TTl get him." and he
started out without waiting for in
structiOns.
Plainly, the first move was to hurry
back to the room he had rented mex
10 the social pirate and by making
use Of the transom to see what wal
going on.
Mr.. Annessley arrived soon enough
to hear and see Philippa and Bentle!
IN earnest conversation, and he fel
that under the circumstances he wa
no eavesdropper.
Bentley's attitude was not that o
a lOver-it was rather that Of mai
who has a power he means to use t
his own advantage. At the same tim
! he feigned the greatest admiration
for Philippa and attempted to tax
her In his arms. She shrank away an
her fear showed so plainly that tn
arch villain made no further effort t
force his attentions on her.
"We might as well be frank, Phi
ippa," he said. II know your father
? secret and mean to use it unless 70
} consent to marry me-"
The girls face paled. "How ca
you ask such thing after what he
passed." she asked. "You surely cal
not want to marry anyone who doc
not love you"
'Never mind >that," said Bentle
"You can learn to love me 500
+ enough. l intend to win you or e
+ pose your fathers deal. Take y0t
i choice. l am going to leave you
I think it over. I'll give you a lit
/ while to decide-then-"
! And, without finishing this threa
{ he walked out of the room and lie
! her q prey to her fears. She tried
& DEPART but one of Bentley's watche
/ was outside the door. He came
7 md stood like sentinel, shaking h
! head. Philippa sank into q chair al
{ bewailed her folly in trusting mi
! she should have known had no shr
! Of honor.
# While she was waiting In an ago
of terror for the return of Bentley, h
father was busy carrying on an a
mated telephone conversation wi
Peter, who was attending to the b
ker's end of the stock deal downtov
E To Mr.. Brewster zane the butler a
thrust q crumpled bit Of paper befC
his eyes.
"Take II away" cried the irate mi
II thought you would want to re
It, sir" said the butler In such tire
- bling voice that his employer v
y forced to take notice.
4 he paused long enough to cast
hasty glance over the writing,
then hastily hung up the receiver
rose.
us "Where did you end thisT he
manded.