Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-09-07
feared the consequences of a Harmless

lie.
Il am glad of that" commented
I-isie, and Erna breathed a sigh of re-
lief for the lie that she had told and in
recollection of the fact that she had al
ready warned her father that he was
not 10 appear to know the truth until
Informed that he could do so. She had
attended to that when she ran to him
Just before Lisle went out with her to
the grove OF pines. II am very glad Of
IT. 1 will tell him the truth myself aft
er little, when l have become calm
err"
"Calmer? You are calm row, Isle.
frightfully calm!' exclaimed Erna.
True;lT am frightfllly calm. That
exactly Expresses it. 1t is the calm
ness of despair. OF rage, of rebellion, OF
a torrent of water, nightly deep.
which runs smoothly upon the surface.
but which is carrying the universe
along with 1t in it's silent depths. That
is the calmneSs that | feai Do you
think that your father will consent to
remain here with me for few days?'
HE shall DO so whether be consents
or not. I'll make him do it, Then.
noticing the expression OF wonder that
came into Lisle's eyes, she added: "Of
course he will consent. lie never re-
fuses me anything. and IN this case |
think he will propose 1t anyway
Il will be very grateful. Tomorrow
or the day after | must tell him what |
am. l must beseech him to advise me.
and
Il know what YOU must do. You
must leaye this ranch and al that con-
Germs ii IN the care OF your men and
return to Kansas City with me. There
in my home
Isle raised one hand in protest.
1T Is kind" she said. "but il cannot
be so Mt present l have much to learn
before will consent TO face the world
You forges the long years Of training
that must be overcome before l can
/ hope to acquire the rudiments of the
new life that l must live. Already
know much that you have not told me-
The life that | must begin is entirely
different from the life that leave be-
hind me when l assume the garb that
you wear and appear before the world
for what | renlly am--a woman. God,
how | hate It. What would happen IL
l should go with you now? would
discover insults i'm compliments;
would mistake deliberate offenses for
favors. Ever since was old enough
to hold pistol I'm my hand have been
taught TO resent afTronts with bullets.
Would you have me murder your best
friends? No; my place is here until
90 plc xx-tN1
that knowledge alone can impart. I
am neither one thing nor the other
now. am neither man nor woman. |
am monstrosity-a freak-a thing,
Here you respect me; there you would
despise me. Here l am master: there
1 would be-nothing. Here, for awhile
at least, can still be a man; there
faugh! Let us so to your father. Then.
; when | have talked with him, l will
ride out TO meet Craig Thompson"
Mr.. Thomas walked out upon the
veranda with Lisle at her request
Everything has been attended to, or
is being done. Lisle." he said, adopting
the given name in preference to using
pronoun which he did not know how
to select. Your men-that is, those
who havenot been sent out on errands-
have proved themselves extremely eff.
hcient In every way, and in an hour
Il thank you, sir. do not care for
the details. II Is very kind of you t.
oversee everything. Perhaps later
will know better how to express M
appreciation. Just now
Not word! Not a word. Lisle
Why, l feel already as If had known
you always. I'll go ahead just as
though had, and now, If you will take
my advice, you will get on your horse
and go for good ride. 1t will do you
good-lots of it, Take the word OF
Thomas o. Thomas for that"