Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-06-16

GOODBYE! CRIED OUT.
joy. He drew me a little nearer by a
swift gesture, as my hand lay in his.
And if 1 am-what them he asked,
holding his breath for an answer.
"Why-nothiDg." ] stammered weak
"; but there were tears of bitter dis
appointment in my eyes, and L was
forced to drop my head that he might
not see them. He let fall my hand
with n short laugh.
Exactly he exclaimed. THAT is
Just what my going away means to
every living soul in this world-noth-
ing
can only hope that there may be
some excuse made for my next action
on the ground of my over-excited con-
dition, for l had been through a great
strain during the past few hours; else
my conduot would seem objectionable.
When those last words. uttered i'm n
tone that was indescrbably hopeless
and heart-sick, fell from Darracott's
lips, 1 could not conquer their an.
peal TO my love and sympathy. I did
not stop TO reason as to maidenli2ess
or propriety. My spirit was rent and
torn with compassion and solicituue
for this man who had been so long
wanderer and wayfarer, and who
was again, thought about to be driy-
en forth from the comfort and shelter
OF his own home. I looked bravely up
into his face. letting him read all the
passionate regret in mine. and held
out the hand he had dropped, be-
seechingly.
You are wrong-you are wrongr' I
cried. 1t is not true that no one
takes heed of your going or coming
Your mother rejoices to have you with
her. and l." 1 had the grace TO
pause a moment.
Your
/ wonder that that look in his eyes
did not vanquish my temerity; but it
did not
L" 1 repeated; 'I also would
have you remain here in your own
home" And then / felt my face burn
Ing hot with shame, and dropped it
into my hands and turned away.
was overwhelmed, mortified, and hor-
ribly abashed; and vet would not 80
till l had the assurance from his own
lips that he would not leave us. l
heard him draw a lonr breath, and
there was silence for few moments
in the room. When he spoke there was
bitter self-reproach in his voice.
Miss Lothrop," he said, "I do not
wonder any longer that women shrink
from me. They have OWNED in me the
latent villainy of which / was myself
unconscious. A proper return / have
made for your kind interest in my
well-being. l have been like a beast
that turns and rends him who has
cared for it. I do not ask your for
giveness. i only say that l have al
lowed myself to fall a victim to cir
cumstanceS that have offered me a
temptation beyond any 1 have ever
known. shall never pardon my own
weakness. Goodnight"
He went forward and drew aside the
portiere that shrouded the entrance
10 the hall. AS l passed out / lifted
my eyes an instant TO his.
You have not promised to stay
j suggested, wistfully.
Il never intended anything else" he
replied, with marked self-disgust. Il
allowed you TO remain under the mis-
conception for my own selfish ends"
But-misconception? II persisted
did you not say goodbye"
intending only TO convey it's literal
meaning, God be with you,' he re
turned. And now, again, and ever
again, good-byer'
l echoed the word and passed on my
way. At me first bend in the stair
case / looked ,hind me. The portiere
'-as still drawn aside and / saw 8
dark, almost indistinguishable figure
still standing beneath its folds.
The next day l found myself aban
doned 10 my oNn society until quite
late in the afternoon. / was scarcelN
dressed when Franklin brought me
message from Madam to the effec
that, as she nd certain matters to oc
cupy her attention during the day,
might dispose Of my time as / chos,
until FIVE O'Clock, when she begged
that ! would come to her boudoir TO
tea, as usual. Franklin also inform
ed me that, as both his master anC
mistress preferred to have breakfas
and luncheon served to them in thei
own rooms, L might choose between
following their example or havin;
those meals in solitary state in tn
great dining room.
Naturally l preferred the forme
method, AMI spent a quiet day, wit
my thoughts for my only companions
Just before our usual luncheon-hour
was attracted to the window by In
sound of wheels on the gravel.
looked out and saw q groom waitin
with the empty dog-cart before IN
main entrance. A few moments late
Darracott came down the steps an
got into the vehicle. The groom wa
dismissed, and Darracott drove ava
alone
Half an hour later the sound o
returning wheels took me .Sa:n to tn
window. What was my surprise t
see that parracott was no longer alon