The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1920-10-30
ADOOR OPENS
By AUGUSTUS G. sHERWIN.

gioomily with intense self-condemna-
tlon.
He had come through the garage Of
the end Of the lot which held the
house where he boarded, seeking Sc
elusion and hoping for tranquility. AT
the end of the court was brick wall
marking the confines of lot fronting
Oh another street. In 1t was set a
door and, tired at last, he seated him.
self on its narrow threshold.
Musing. he must have doZed, for
suddenly the gate opened from the
other side and he described an erratic
backward movement, a half somer-
sault, and lay prone on the grass just
beyond the door. Speedily Bemls re-
covered himself and got to his feet,
for there was a peal Of laughter and,
tracing its source, he met the glance
of young girl Of about eighteen who
drew her face straight. but her voice
was still suggestive of subdued mirth
as she said:
please forgive me, for it was I'M
expected. I didn't know you were
there"
II apologize for such an unmannerly
intrusion" spoke Bemis.
He could not help but gaze about
him with both wonderment and curios-
ity. Sides, front and rear, the square
expanse Of about one hundred feet
was surrounded by a brick wall In
It's, center empowered in Towering
vines was snug, old-fashioned one
story cottage. Near to 1t, seated In
an invalid wheel-chair, was a man
with flowing gray beard and hair
snowy white. There was hammock
and a bench near him and the girl
half led the way to them as she said:
"You must have been tired If you
fell asleep on the step. Won't you
rest bit and talk with father? He
sees so little Of the world and will en-
JOY your company"
and Interested expression in their
depths. He was ashamed of his I'M
manly depression as he contrasted 1t
with her vivacity and her captivat-
ing naturalness and beauty. He APP
preached the figure In the chair,
quickly observing that one arm Of its
occupant hung useless over its side.
and the pallid face and the half
crouching down attitude told of seri-
Gus physical disability. For all that
Morris Ward, father of Rita, smiled a
genial welcome.
II fell into your garden" spoke
Bemis. ut Is worth the adventure.
What charming. unique spot. right
In the heart of the city,"
EYES," nodded Mr.. Ward. I'VE have
kept 1t up and love 1t because my
brother Ephraim lived here for forty
years. He died few months since
and Rita is his heiress to the old place
here, a comfortable surplus at the
bank and his business. But that we
can't carry on, for cannot get around,
and Rita knows nothing about sail
making, which Ephraim followed for
half century. Pretty well gone out
since steam pleasure yachts came In.
but. last year he bought up the entire
output Of our factory and the stuff,
twenty-three thousand yards of It, Is
left on our hands in his old store
house down town. What Is your line,
Mr.. Bemisr'
The p0ssess0r of the name frankly
returned confidence for confidence.
He told of investing five thousand dol
lars tn stock and borrowing the
amount with five times the total
value In securities on hard terms. The
speculation had failed and unless he
could raise and repay the money with
In sixty days the entire collateral was
lost to him.
"Why, see here" exclaimed Morris
Ward. as the dismal story was con-
Guided, "if was young and strong as
you are, instead Of an old stranded
wreck, wouldn't let trivial misfor-.
tune like yours crush me. You've.
given me an idea. That warehouse
stuff may not sell quickly for sails
but aren't there other uses to which
it might be adapteda You appear to
me. Do some thinking. Help us get
rid of that dead stock and you shall
have liberal compensation for your
services"
Rita, the sprite, the fairy, tire
hess, fitting creature Of grace, but
sensible and practical the while, be-
came third interested party In the
conference when she returned. There
was a. lunch and cocoa under the trees
and when Bemis left the place Morris
Ward handed him a sample of the
warehouse merchandise spoil.
"Foresall duck, best standard" de-
ciared Mr.. Ward. Extra heavy. bears
double riveting, hard twisted. hard
finished thread. You certainly can find
n market for such prime stuff"
LIT seems good to get back into the
harness Of real work." announced
Royce Bemis cheerily as he reap
neared at the uuafnt old home two