The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-14

along the water front.
After an interval he seemed to have
left the smoke and dirt behind. The
I street became quieter. Boardi:2 g-houses
! and tailors' sops ceased Here and
| there appeared bit of lawn. shrub
bary. flowers. The residences establish
cd an uptown crescen6o of mognifi-
cence. Policemen seemed trimmer. bet
| ter-gloved. Occasionally he might have
noticed in front Of one Of the sandstone
piles a besivered pair. cfarlpinS before
g. stylish vehicle. BY and by he came
TO himself to find that he was staring
NJ the tleep-carveG lettering in stone
| horse-blocl1 before large dwelling
His mind took the letters in one after
the other. perceiving them plainly be
fore it accorded them recognition. FL
r2aIiy he had completed the word Far
rand He whfrled sharp Oh his heel.
mounted the broad white stone steps.
and rang the bell.
1t was answered almost Immediately
by a cIear-shaven, poruy and digni1icd
man with the most irapassive counte
nance in the world. This man looked
upon Thorpe with lofty disapproVal:
rs Miss Hilda Farrand at home: ne
asked.
Il cannot say" replied the man. ~
you will step to the back door, VIII
ascertain
The flowers will do, Now see that
the south room is ready, Annie, hoated
a voice from within
Without a word. but with a deadly
carnestness. Thorpe reached forward.
seized the astonished servant by the col
lar vanled him bodily outside the door.
stepped inside. and STROBE across the hall
toward a closed portiere whence had
come the voice The river1lan's long
enilzes cut little triangular pisces from
! .l,a hardwood floor. Thorpe did not
,otica that. He thrust aside the por-
there
Before him he saw q you'cs and beau
tiful girl. She was seated, and her
Ian was filled with flowers. At his
sudden apparition her hands flew TO ner
!. heart. and her lips slightly parted For
second tie two stood looking at each
Other. lust as nearly 6 year before thei;
Sos had crossed over the old pole trail.
To Thorpe the girl seemed more beau
+;+,l than ever. The red OF this VIC
lant. unexpected encounter rushed to her
face: her bosom rose and fell III a flut-
terirr catch for breath; but her eyes
we're steady ana iI1Hui~ing.
The butter bounced on Thorpe from
behind with the intent 10 DO great poolly
harm.
what are you doins?"
Tie man cut short his heroism in con-
You may go" concluded Hilda:
T,,orpe stood straight and u11winking by
the straight portiere. After moment
~ have come 70 tell YOU that you were
-isht and / was wrong, said he steadily
y GU told me there could be nothing bet
tsr tbau love. In the pride OF my
strength l told you this was not so. l
vas wrong" ..
He stood for another instant, looking d.
rec-iy at her then tnr0ed Sharply, 2nu
head erect walked from the room.
Esrore he had reached the outer door
tl,e girl vas at his side.
.sIThv are you going?' she asted
IT have nothing more to sa-3'
Nothing"
Nothing at all.
she laughed happily to herself
"E,7t | have-rluch Come back
They returned to the little morning
roonn ThorDe's cauIIleG boots gousin" on,
the little triangular burrows in the hard
wood floor. Neither noticed that.
what are you going 10 DO now. she
ratecl1ised. facing him in the middle Of
tf7s room. A long tendril OF her beautiful
-rrn-sillS hair fell across her eyes; her
,ea Inns parted in faint wistful smile:
l,a1sath the draperies Of her loose gown
the pure slender lines if her figure leaned
toward him.