The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-03-01

NOuiu you PHOONt' Il RAM III uNhdi
was silent, looking away. "Take this
message TO her for me, my friend; it is
the last request, perhaps, shall ever
make to you"
"Dick-"
"Say to her that Richard somers
passes out Of her life to serve his coun-
try. His duty done, please God, and
she needs his arm. he will follow her
TO the end of the earth. Say that for
me; and then, farewell"
CHAPTER ".
The morning sun striking through the
eastern window Of a hotel room shone
full upon the face of a woman who lay
sleeping there. She was dressed as for
the street, but her hair was loose and
fell about her shoulders in cleaning,
golden masses. Even in the trying
light upon it her face was beautiful,
Perfectly oval, it possessed a combi-
nation of dark shadings rarely found
in blonde types, and the even brows
were as delicate as though penciled
by an artist. Upon her cheeks lay long,
dark lashes. Sleeping, she seemed
scarcely more than a girl in age, the
few lines upon her face fading out Of
prominence; and yet there was won.
anliness in her trim. settled figure that
told of years not otherwise to be sus-
pected.
The bell of a tower clock near at
hand rang out loudly the hour The
sleeper stirred uneasily, opened her
eyes, and instantly, as full conscious
ness returned bounded from the bed
to the floor. In the quick look she
gave to her surroundings terror was
apparent. \ moment later she had
pulled ths bell-ccrd and was waiting,
her watch in hand, by the door. A ne.
gro servant knocked and was admitted.
She did not notice his old-fashioned
and courteous salute.
"Why was I not called for the six
o'clock train?" she began in great agi-
tation.
"We call tree times, ma'am-t'ree
times; an you say all right ev'y time,
ma am"
81 answered."
eyes, ma'am. An we t'ink, maam
mebby you done change yo' min"
Something like despair came to her
face.
The time now?"
mine O'Clock, ma am. Clock des struck
ma'am. Gem'map downstairs sem dis
cyard, ma'am, an say" The gen.
tleman in question passed the speaker,
stepping across the threshold.
"You may CO." he said, CURLY, and
waited until the old servant had re-
tired and closed the door. Then he
turned coolly towards the woman.
Sand now, madam, what does this
mean?"
raymond"
"Why have you left London?" The
woman did not answer. She had cried
the name Historically and started for.
ward; then, suddenly, drawing her
hair from her face she shrank aw;
from him, her gray eyes distended in
terror or the expectation of violence.
In the presence of this pantomime, the
mans face lost its cynicism and stern.
ness. He was Enthusiastically astonished
Well he said, at length. what is it ?''
"You here!" the exclamation was
but a whisper 81 thought"
why should l not be here? Didn't
you write, requesting me to come
| was not in the city yesterday, moi
last night, and have but just received
your foolish letter Are you mad, in
deed-that you come to this city
that you follow me up in public!-
Name of Heaven. woman, what is the
matter with you?"
"Not in the city last night! Not il
The city! Then-then-" She caught {
chair. oh am ill--ill!" She seemed
about to fall, but her companion made
40 movement to assist her. There i.
some-mistake!" she whispered. som,
awful-mistake!
what are you talking about?" Fl,
stood looking curiously upon her. Sh,
turned suddenly, ran to him, and
falling upon her knees, clasped bel
arms about him, giving way at tb,
same time to paroXysm of hysteri
that swayed them both with its vic
lence. He stopped impatiently, brok
= her clasp with a violent effort, au
d half pushed, half lifted her into til
: chair. Burying her face In her hands
she gave way TO violent weeping Will
he stood by.
The man was of medium height an
fine figure his faultless dress and hi
j every motion revealing the fashionf
i bic world. His face might have bee
: handsome at one time, but sOmethin
u had fled from it, and something ha
o come to it since then. mat whic
l. had come men usually call the mark
of dissipation; that which had fe
u they had no name for.
e He might have been genuinely il
= dignant or playing a part. but
u gazed sternly a few moments onl
II upon the agitated woman, his blaC
eyes cleaning wickedly; then, with
sheer and sight gesture of dismissa
y turned away. Taking from his pock'
/ case, he proceeded calmly to sele,
Il and light cigarette, and walking N
coucerned!y to the fireplace, tossed h