Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-06-22
CHAPTER XVII.
MAKING AMENDS.

SEE NY GUY, ne repeated over
aud over, IAN I'll do it IL It kills me-"
His face was white, but there was a
firm, set expression there which show
ed that his mind was made UP to q pur-
pose and that there would be no wa
vering in fulfilling 1t. Like his class In
general, he was slow TO see his duty.
but once having seen it there was no
Sinking it and no faltering In its dis
charge
He believed all Sam Morgan had told
him. In view of all he knew he had
no shadow of reason for doubling. 1t
was true, every word of IT, Yet before
he acted he would hear it from Lou
isa's own lips. he even hoped-hoped
against hope-that she might i'm some
way satisfactorily explain II all. What
ever she said he would believe. He
would take her word against all the
world.
When he reached home, he went di-
rectly to her. He noticed that she
looked more sad and worn than lie had
ever seen her, and a feeling OF pity
and compassion stirred his heart to the
very bottom. In lis sympathies his
own sufferinCs held the second place.
His wife's were first.
Even as he stood before her he hest
tated to speak. but not for long. Duty
with him was duty, and 1t must be
done. no matter how bitter the cost.
With a quiet hrmness that was sur
prising under the circumstances be-
spoke.
"Loueesy," be said. I'D rather be
dead this minute than TO speak the
words I've got TO say, but feel it's my
duty to speak, so that once an for all
we may understand each other"
He paused moment, and she glanc-
ed up inquiringly, then again bent her
head over her work
"Do you know, Loueesy," he went
on, what all people are sayin about
you an Melvin?"
She shook her head. and he saw the
color creep into her face.
They are tellin that you met that
man in the woods out thar an that you
-Loueesy. It's hard to say the rest.
cruel hard, but it's best to say It. They
say you told that man you loved him"
1t was out, ali out, and he waited for
her TO speak. But he waited in vain.
Her head bent lower over her work
and her whole form seemed to droop,
but she remained silent.
us il true, I.oueesy?" he asked after
awhile, his voice strangely gentle and
tender. Tell me. is il all true. as they
say"
She did not answer
Say Yes or No Loueesy," he in
sisted.
YES" she said in tone scarcely
audible.
'An is it true, Loueesy. that you do
love him?"
Yes" Then after a pause she add
ed: Il can't help it. God knows l can't
l wish / was dead"
Sim turned to leave the room, but at
the door he stopped.
''Loueesy," he said, Il amt blamin
you. 1t amt your fault that things
has turned out like this. God knows it
amt"
Then he passed on and went TO his
own room. He picked up his gun and
exam ined IL and saw that II WIS N
perfe Il order. He set 1T down wi ere 1t
would be handy TO him, saying TO him.
self:
That's all I'll need, an it's all I'll
take"
Then he took some papers from a lit.
tie locked tin box and went out. He
walked down the street until he came
TO the office of Squire Beeson, the JUS
uce or the peace In all his move
ments he was as calm and deliberate
rs though nothing out of common had
transpired, and there were no outward
indications OF the fire that was trying
his soul
Appearing before the squire. he
placed the papers on the desk, saying
quietly:
Can you make out a deed for me
right away, squireY'
shore" was the prompt reply.
"Been sellin some OF your Land, Simr'
mo. / want the deed made out to
Loueesy."
The squire, having heard the talk
about Louisa and Melvin, thought he
understood the situation, and he was
not surprised at Sims words. It oc-
CURED to him at once that Sim and
AOuiSd were SOtnS 10 separate ana that
Sim was going to divide his posses
sions with her.
"All right" he said, bringing out
some blanks and preparing to fill in
the deed. What part of your land are
you goin to give Loueesy?"
"All OF it," Sim replied.
"Allr' the squire exclaimed.
"AllJ'
The squire laid his pen down and
turned around, facing Sim. He took
his spectacles off, wiped them SLOWLY
with his red cotton handkerchief, then
put them on again.
''Sim," be said slowly. lit amt none
OF my business, Of course, but If 1 was
you / wouldn't do that"
Wouldn't do which?' Sim asked.
Il wouldn't give Loueesy all the
land"
"Why?"
"'Cause IT amt right. 1t amt les
tice to yourself"
But it's jestice to Loueesy, all the
1eStice II can do hor now God Lxnor-s