The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1920-06-19
A MYTHICAL
LOVER
By ALVAH J. GARTH

O0SOSOO0C000O0
Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Union-'
II don't like It'll" observed Norman
Estey.
He spoke with emphasis to his I'M
Gle, Robert Mead, and his fine frank
face expressed earnestness and de-
cision.
you will when you meet Miss Ava
Newcombe. You have always adj
mired beauty and grace. Norman, so
prepare to have your senses agreeably
surprised"
But you are asking me practically
to play the spy. to assist In the cap
tivity Of young girl who would re-
gard both of us with dislike were she
to know that we are furthering the
designs of this Richard Heald."
"Now listen to me and get the COM
mon sense Of 1t. Norman" spoke Mr..
Mead. "The young lady is the orphan
daughter Of old friends of mine. Ten
years ago she was left alone In the
world with q small fortune. Head,
once my legal partner. was appointed
her guardian. He Is a stern disciple
marian and his wife follows his lead.
My opinion Is that the young lady has
an independent spirit and resents be-
ing treated like q child. / am sure
that Heald has no motive In view ex-
cept to conserve her estate and guard
her from harm, but he has a cold
biooded way of doing things that has
aroused her antagOnism. From what
she has told my wife the Head home
Is as gloomy as convent and they re-
strict her as to company. pursuits and
freedom"
II see," nodded Estey.
"Heald discovered some notes Miss
Newcombe had clandestinely received.
They were from Lionel Bradley.
Then there came bouquets. Once Ava
stole away to a dance and they doubt
not that she met this Bradley. whom
they, however, have never seen. Ava
seemed to enjoy tantalizing them about
her mysterious lover. She insisted she
would run away IL the Heads did not
give her change Of scene. She was
glad to spend month here. because
l knew her parents so well. Head
wrote to me to watch. to see that this
Bradley did not appear and to try and
learn how far her acquaintance with
him had led to a love affair. ! have
decided to visit Head and get the de-
tails Of the case. While I am gone
keep your eye on Miss Newcombe."
The next day, after fcas.i2g his eyes
upon the most charming maicen he had
ever met, Norman Estey was not
averse to keeping a, watch on Miss
Newcombe. For downtrodden victim
Of heartless mentors she was certainly
a bright, happy spirit. She took 1t
quite naturally that the nephew of the
house should be invited to help her
while away her sojourn as guest.
The first week motoring. tennis and
several evening entertainments were
enjoyed.
II half believe Mr.. Heald Is fright
ened by bugaboo," the lady of the
house told Norman. "She has received
no letters. love or otherwise. She
seems supremely satisfied with remain
ing here. and as to, your company.
Norman. hope 1t Is not making you
vain or leading you into any foolish
ness"
Norman Redeemed consciously. 'Tf
wishing could roam these woods the
rest of my life with Miss Newcombe
is foolishness," responded Norman.
audaciously, II plead guilty. S-sh!'
he uttered warningly. '"There she is
now. In the hammock, not ten feet
away. / do not wish to lose her good
opinion by appearing as an 'accomplice
in this detestable game Of suspicion"
"You exaggerate, Norman" declared
Mrs. Mead. 1--WE are using due pre-
cautions to hinder any impulse on her
part to run away, as she threatened
her guardian, or to elope with this an
noying Lionel Bradley" =
A pair Of bright eyes twink1ed.
pair of pink shell-like ears fluttered as
aunt and nephew left the garden. Ava
Newcombe sat up in the hammock.
wide awake. mischiev0us expression
upon her face.
II am sort Of puzzled" Norman told
his aunt two days later. Miss New
combe has gone downtown by round
about way twice since Tuesday and
has mailed several letters. Last night
about ten o'clock from the road I saw
her move lighted lamp up and down
at her window, as If she were signal
ing some 0ne."
And. to enforce the suspicion thus
aroused. Ada acted evasive and rest
less for two days following. She
would scnn closely every automobile
that passed. She looked guilty when
several letters arrived for her. It was
the day after that when sheet of pa
per blew from her writing table
through the window and fell beside
Norman on a garden bench. He could
not help but note Its contents. He was
amazed and then delighted: