The Washington times., 1903-08-02

IT He hoarse STRIKING or ulsIduJ
clock broke in upon his rnedita-
tons. Nine o'clock, His day Ct
slavery had commenced He laid down
the book upon the wooden stall before
which It was his custom TO linger for a
few minutes or two each morning.
Something had lodged in his throat; it
might have been a sob, He had been so
absorbed that he had forgotten where
he stood, whittier he was bound. II ali
came back 20 him with such grim yet
facfIe insistence. London Bridge sta
ton disgorging its crowd OF suburban
business men, the heavy atmosphere CT
Bermondsey down the steps below-Ber-
mondsey. with its nauseOus doors. its
smoked-st warehouses. in one CT
which his own stool was awaiting him.
II was disillusion, complete. entiTe--a
veritable mud bath after the breath OF
roses.
For this book bad spoken OF very diff
erent things. II had spoken OF heather
crowned hills. Of gorse bushes yellow
with sprinkled sold; of a west wind, fra
grant, melodious. in the pines; of dow
er-wreathed hedges and blossoming
trees: OF the songs OF birds and the
glad murmuring Of insects. A dull flush
stained his sallow cheeks. For once he
had lest his stcop and stood almost
upright. It was the one moment of in
SEPARATION which seems TO be the heri-
tage even OF the very meanest crea-
ture who ever walks the earth. The
spirit OF rebellion Ieaped up in him like
n flame. His way lay. as it had ever
done. down those fateful steps. Nine
O'Clock had struck and O'Clock was his
hour. He ignored it, He crossed he
station and entered the booking hall.
Then you won't tell me?"
Won't tell you what?"
why you have come here In those
clothes and with no luggage. You must
have some friends In Lidford"
He shook his head. Il never heard of
the place before" he assured Ter. 81
picked the name out from the time
table 1t sounded like the country and
It was long ways off,
She looked at him with incredulity
written in her sedate. beautiful face
"Of course" she m"rmured," making
pretense at rising. If you don't want
10 tell me-"
please don't go!' he interrupted in
alarm. It's the truth, really know
no one there. I only wanted to get
away"
To get away" she repeated thought
fully. do you mean that you have been
doing something wrong?"
Something wrongi" He repeated the
words vaguely. with his eyes fixed upon
her all the time. She had risen and
was looking at him seriously Her eyes
were blue-such a wonderful blue, like
the sky which he had been watching
lazily all the afternoon. lying on his
back in the deep. cool grass and her
hair-ah. there was nothing which he
had seen 50 beautiful as that! Then.
warned by her obvious gravity, he has
tended to reassure her.
NO" he declared. Il have done moth
ing wrong. I have run away from my
work. that is all. I read in book this
morning OF the country. OF the sun
shine and the wind and the birds and
all this" He waved his arm aim
lessly about Il had to GOMEZ
couldn't help it
You have come from Lon@on-here 20
she exclaimed.
''Yes"'
"And your luggage?"
Il brought none"
And your hat?"
4 threw It away. 1t was a very old.
shiny. silk hat. with ink on the bare
places. What would you have thought
Df me wandering about the fields in such
4 thing2 I am bad enough as l am
rEEESEEESIsEG@EEHSg
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