Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-03-03

My old uncle died some time ago.
leaving me his property, SO that I
am In something more than comforta-
BILE circumstances. and often say,
laughingly. TO Vera, that. should IL
happen that our one small son and heir
Is fated to have half a dozen BROTH
ers and sisters. there will. thank Heav-
en-! be sufficient for them ALI
For long time after that awful
tragedy at Deepdene Manor, vera's
health was delicate-the shock had
been almost more than she could bear;
but under the kind and almost mater
nal care OF Lady Mallory, with whom,
by Sir Harold's earnest wish. she made
her home. she gradually regained her
strength, and. though this was longer
in coming. her old sweet Brightness
Tonight did what I have been
meaning to do for months, and vet
have put of from day TO day. have
told Vera the whole ira icaf story thar
has been related In these pages
i have told her who and what wa 3 the
woman, whom, for three years, she has
mourned with the mourning of a be-
reaved and loving daughter. It was a
great shock to her.
At first, I almost feared she IVES
about to faint away. but took her In
and. after the first shock was over
and she had wept a little while upon
my shoulder, she was able to talk calm
~ Of II. and to thank me for keepinz
her in ignorance thus long.
'J am glad i know now" she said
1T would not have been right for me
o have gone on mourning for her "a
ny mother. Yes, I am glad 1 know
low. but I think I could hardly have
borne II then"
After a while. she said
~ 10 -
snefare1i TIsw I viii hs ucu1s co,ns
back. and let us try to comfort hirn!"
Scarcely had she said this when the
butler came In TO tell me a gentleman
was asking to see me.
He says he would rather not give his
name, sir. thought. perhaps, you
would step into the hall and see him
for yourself"
81 will come. Webster" I said, and
followed him out into the hall. where
there stood tall figure. muffed UP to
the eyes almost, and with the snow
makes still cling'ng to his long, fair
beard He stood In the darkest corner
OF the hall. and did not recognize him
TIL he stretched out his hand. and ut
tered just one word
"Jacki"
Halt"
How 1 flung myself upon him. shaking
him by both hands. and all but en-
oracing him, / need scarcely say. In
less than minute 1 had pulled him In
TO the drawing room. and presented
him to Vera. and, I verify believe, ali
three OF us were as near laughing and
crying in a breath as ever were sensI-
BILE people In all their lives.
Where have you come from. HAIR
was my first coherent question.
"Algiers. have been living there
these last nine months"
And when did you reach England :'s
This morning. 1 went to Deer dene
drst and then came straight on to
you"
And you mean to spend your Christ
mas with us?"
'If you will have me- Lottie has con-
sented 10 Il. on condition that 20 back
to peepdene for New Years Day.
was just longing to see you. Jack-you
and Vera"
He paused. looked at my wife, then
looked back at me. and his lips formed
yet scarcely formed, the question
Docs Vera know"
Vera knows all. HAL" answered.
and then my dear wife came forward
with the sweetest grace and took both
his hands In hers. and whispered such
words Of sympathy as only women
know how to speak.
After a time, she went away to dress.
aAx was left alone with Gwynne He
sat opposite TO me. and. as the ruddy
freight played upon his dear old face,
] saw how much his grief had aged
him.
There were lines about his lips AMI
brow. such as the years alone could
never have brought there. and the hair
above his temples was almost as white
as snow. Still, his face was not unhap-
py now; he looked like one who hal
wrestled with mighty sorrow, and. IL
he had not killed 1t quite. had, at any
rate, made himself it's master. He saw
my searching glance. and smiled-a
smile that was sad and sweet and
bright as well as sad.
You are wondering whether I have
found cure for my broken heart. old
fellow" he said. "Well. yes. in a sense,
I think 1 may say 1 have"
uttered an exclamation OF thankful
ness
''Oh. Hal. am so glad! so thankful"
was going to say. but he stopped me
with a little gesture.
You are not TO think" he said, very
gravely and slowly. "that, because I
have come back to England. and be-
cause can look my OLD friends In the
face once more, and take their hands.
and smile into their eyes, 1 have for
gotten what happened upon this night
three years ago. No. Jack, II live to
be hundred. l shall remember seeing
her as she came down that staircase
a mass OF fiame-I shall remember ev-
cry tone OF her voice as she gasped out
her dying confession, just as distinctly
as though it had happened yesterday"
MY poor old Hall" said, very earn
estly. as he paused.
The thought Of my welded happiness
made my heart throb very tenderly and
sSmpathetically for him.
But" he continued, with a calm
bright smile. although the past must
ever be TO me a most painful memory.
and although ! loved her with too
mighty a love for me to ever love again
IN this world, yet within the last few
months 1 have fought strenuous'v
against the dominion OF a selfish sor-
row; and, believe. 1 may say have
obtained the victory. 1 have remem-
bered that 1 have duties to do, and I
haUR 10 ID