The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-03-05
Copyright. All Rights Reserve
CHAPTER Vll-Continued.


"Nothing wrong at home. l hope,
Mr.. Harris?" said the young neigh
her. noting his troubled appearance.
~NObOdy sick, or anything?"
"Yes, there is something wrong"
raid Harris, trying vainly to conceal
the bitterness in his voice. "Beulah's
left US"
"who, BeulahH can hardly be
lieye that, Mr. Harris. 1t was only
last night I was talking with her."
swell, she's gone. Left through the
night. We-well. I tell you, George
we had a little disagreement, but I'd
no notion she'd take is so much TO
heart. OF course you know about the
trouble with Jim yesterday. Taking
everything together-there won't be
no blowing today" Harris had said
more than he meant; he could feel the
, color mounting into his hair, and the
bad English of his last words betrayed
a subtle recklessness rather than care
lessness of speech.
"Don't you believe a word of It,"
said George. 81 know Jim, and know
Beulah. and If anybody else limited
what you've said you'd want to use
that rife on them. Like enough Beu-
lah's staying somewhere around the
neighborhood, and she'll be back when
she has time to think 1t over"
THAT proves you don't know Beu-
lah" said Allan "As for Jim, I was
never able to get below that SMILE
and l saw more of him than you did,
George"
swell. hope you find a way out"
said George sincerely. at would have
been like her TO come over to our
place. but she isn't there Maybe you'll
find her at Morrison's."
THAT'S possible" said Harris.
3We'll go over there, anyway"
But Morrisons knew no more of
Beulah's whereabouts than did George,
and inquiry at other homes in the
neighborhOOd was equally futile. Har-
RS shrank from carrying his search
into the town, as he dreaded the pub
licity that would be attached to il.
But as the day wore on and the search
continued fruitless he finally found
himself at Plainville. If Beulah and
Jim were really married the Presby-
terrain minister would be likely to
know something of the matter, and
Rev. Andrew Guthrie was a man of
sense and diScernmpnt
Mr. Guthrie received his guest cofdi-
ally, albeit with some wonderment as
to which member of the family might
be sick. but delicacy forbade a direct
question. Now, in agricultural COM
munlties 1t is something of an offense
to approach any matter of importance
by frontal attack. There must be the
due amount of verbal skirmishing. re-
connoiteriRg and outfanking before
the main purpose is revealed. Conse-
Quently Harris, for all his torture of
suspense. spent some minutes in dis
eussion of the weather, the crops. and
5 the prospect of labor shortage In
harvest.
They're all well at home, l hope?"
said Mr.. Guthrie at length, feeling
that the custom of the community had
been sufficiently honored.
"Yes. all that's there" said Harris.
"All that's there? didn't know any
OF your folks We're away. Perhaps
Mrs. Harris is down East? I'm sure a
simmer amid the orchards of her old
home would be- a delight to her and,
OF course, Mr.. Harris, you are able to
crafty yourself in these little matters
now"
Harris received these remarks with
. mixture of feelings. The minister's
Inference To his financial standing car
ried with 1t a certain qualification, but
consorted poorly with his recent
conversations with his wife and with
bis present mission.
And Beulah," continued the minis
ler. conscious that his first shot had
gone wild. "She's fine young woman
bow. | see her In church occasionally.
~ fact. ! was speaking with Mrs. Bur-
ION. the choir leader. a day or so ago,
mo Beulah's name was mentioned be-
tween u.s."
II was about Beulah / came to see
you,' said Harris. with averted eyes. i
inen In few words he gave his ver-
non Of what he knew and what he
suspected.
4 fear can add nothing TO your
niormation." said Mr.. Guthrie. They
invent been here, and. as you say. if
eeulah contemplated marriage, l think
NE would have called OH me. Travers,
w Knew little, and thought him
decent chap. But we must finu the
s'n and talk this over quietly with her.
mere any place In ,own she would
nkeiy to go to? What about Mrs.
~oaes boarding house? | will Just
up on the telephone. / can make |
sslry without the necessity of any
explanations."
INJURY at the house of Mrs. Goode |
ouent strong ray of light out of |
darkness. Beulah had been there
hg the morning, and had explained |
.-a' sne was leaving o. the west-b md
a' winch even now was drumming
ne station. On learning III >
~ a word Harris sprang into the bug
= while Allan brought shar, cut
rheSes whip across the spirited horses.
! nil reached the railway station half
n.d, 100 late; TIE train ms =,
.folosp pulling out. and rs Harris eyes
e"eu III In anger md yaxo.,o,, ~,