Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1922-03-02

AAANANOAN 3AAAAhIAA JIMMY
and Florence's, your own niece ana
nephew, Julia You don't mean you
deny IL, 90 you, Julls?"
She was in great confusion: 'Do I
deny what?"
"That his name is Cruml" Noble
said passionately. "That his name Is
Crum and that he's a widower an1
he's been divorced and's got nobody
knows how many children -
Julia sought to collect herself. IT
dent know what you're talking
about" she said eff you mean that
I happened to meet a very charming
man while was away, and that his
name happened to be Crum, DONE
know why 1 should go to the trouble
of denying it. But If Mr.. Crum has
had the experiences you say he has,
it lS certainly news to me! / think
someone told me he was only twenty
younger"
you think some one told you"
Noble grOaned. "Oh, Julia, Julia
And here it is, all down in black and
white. in my pocket"
II haven't the slightest idea what
you're talking about" Julia's tone
was cold, and she drew herself up
haughtily, though the gesture was in
effective so far as Noble was con-
cerned, in the darkness of the CULVER
ing interior. The quivering stopped
just then, however, as the taxicub
halted before her house.
"Will you come in with me mo-
ment, please?" Julia said as she cot
out. There are some things l want
to ask you-and I'm sure papa hasn't
come home from downtown yet.
There's no light in the front part Of
the house"
There was no light in any other
part of the house, either as they dis
covered after abandoning the bell for
an excursion to the rear. THAT'S dis
heartening to hungry person" Julia
remarked; and then remembered that
she had key to the front door in
her purse. She opened the door, and
lighted a hall luster while Noble
brought in her bags from the steps
where the taxicab driver had left
them.
"There's nobody at home at ALL"
Julia said, thoughtfully.
mo. Nobody" her sad companion
agreed shaking his head. Nobody at
all, Julia. Nobody at ALL" Rousing
himself, he went back for the golf
tools, and with a lingering gentleness
set them in corner. Then, dumbly,
he turned to go.
"Wait, please" said Julia 81 want
to ask yOu few things especially
about what you've got all down in
black and white in your pocket. Will
you shut the door, if you please, and
go into the library and turn on the
lights and wait there while / look
over the house and see If 1 can find
why it's all closed up like this.
IT'S chilly. The furnace seems to
be off," she said. "Tll-" But instead
| of declaring her intentions. she enact
ed them; taking a match from the lit
tie white porcelain trough on the man
telpiece and striking it on the heel Of
her glittering shoe. Then she kneIt
before the CRATE and set the fame to
excelsior beneath the kindling and
coal. "You mustn't freze," she said,
with a thoughtful kindness that killed
him.
"I'm Robinson Crusoe, Noble" she
said when she came back. 81 suppose
might as well take off my furs,
though" She did so. first unfasten-
ing the great bouquet she wore and
tossing it upon a table. Noble was
standing close to the table, but moved
away from it hurriedly. This revulsion
she failed, to notice; and she went on
to explain, as she dropped her cloak
and stole upon a chair. "Papa's gone
away for at least a week He's taken
his ulster. 1t doesn't make any diff
ferences what the weather is, he never
wears his ulster in this town, but
when he's going away for a week, or
longer, he always takes it with him,
except in summer"
II suppose" said Noble hus1ily, Il
suppose yOu'll go to some of your
aunts or brothers or cousins or some
thing"
NO." she said my trunk may
come up from the station almost any
time, and if close the house they'll
take it back. The servants are hav-
ing a holiday, not expecting me
back"
ITO BE CoNTINUED.)