Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-09-17

that Will stanu the test OF the highest
court"
You read decision? Are You not
acting under the advice of your law
yers?''
Lawyers be hanged! 1 know Vir-
ginia law. simple acknowledge
ment before witness, with this ad-
dition, fixes everything. Don't sulk
now, Dick; it won't be long"
Il was not thinking of myeslf."
said Somers. Good night" He stood
moment in thought. then turned to
his companion In the darkened but
not dark room he saw a slender. girl
ish figure near him. the face bent for
ward and hidden in her hands.
Come" he said, cheerfully, "let us
sit down and talk it all over. 1t is
true we are married, but that is no
reason why we shouldn't be friends
suppose. If you will find me a chair.
1 am sure you will confer a great IA
vor. BY the way, what shall l call
you? Madam or Mrs. Somers' sounds
too awfully formal. Shall 1 say"
Call me Frances" she said, simply.
She understood without analyzinp
that he was trying to make it easier
for her, and was grateful
Frances! What a beautiful namel
1 like it already because it is the
feminine of Francis. Yes, the arm
chair will do, and 1 shall sit here by
the table. And you? Oh, | seem to
see you snug in the rocker in front.
This, l suppose, is the proper arrange
ment for a family party when the
little about it. l never was married
before, and l suppose you are equally
in the dark" 1t made him happy to
hear her friendly little laugh, even
though it was instantly checked.
by the way" he continued, do you
know anything of me? l am to ask
no questions concerning you, but sup
pose we may talk about me, may we
not?"
L know that you are a friend of
DR.. Brodnar, and what he has told me.
You are stranger in Richmond and
a gentleman. But would have known
that you are a gentleman anyway"
Thank you, Miss Frances; that was
nicely said"
"Francesl"
MISS IduCeS! ne insisted.
Il am sorry" said the girl after q
moments silence, ''but If you wish, let
it remain that way"
But L am curious to know how it
was that you so quickly decided in
my favor the question of gentility."
My mother told me- when was lit
tie, that any man in whose presence
girl or child feels at ease is a gentle
man at heart, and somehow trusted in
you from the moment you spoke. But
DR.. Broduar told me-
"well?"
Told me such beautiful things
stories Of your life; seemed to feel,
sir, that 1 had known you always"
And what has Brodnar been saying
of me?-I can blush unseen"
HE told me you were brave"
Most men are. And at times all
animals"
That you loved flowers, birds, horses,
children and old people"
objects that can't get away from
me. Go on
THAT you are generous to a fault"
Especially my own-or his"
And that no woman on Gods green
earth, those were his words. ever ap-
pealed TO you for help in vain. He told
me once he saw you get out of your car
rage in Paris in your evening suit,
pick up drunken old woman who had
fallen, and carry her TO a house of ref
uSe-and, oh, sir, you did il because
you said the noblest the most sacred
image on earth TO n man should be
woman's form, the form like unto that
OF his mother-too sacred for the
laughter and jeers OF city's idlers-"
II Endorse the sentiment, whosesocver
il ia. But what sad gossip Brodnar
isl"
But you did do this, didn't you?"
Would it please you to think that
! did?"
would i'll Why, sir, it was that that
made me trust you!"
Trust me? You were cryihg!"
''Because-becauSe- is a most
strange position for you to find me in,
Mr.. Somers. I thought that wouldn't
care; and / did not, until you came.
But did then. And tn at is why cried.
Somehow, l felt that in spite of all at
stake, it ought not TO have happened
this way"
81 understand. But in my estimation,
my child. you have sacrificed nothing"
You did not think so--but-but-"
He took up the thought.
But you are grieved because YOU
are saying: Now here is a gentle man
who, l have suddenly discovered, /
wish to respect me for myself, and as
a refined, modest girl; and what must
he think of one who is willing 10 be
locked up here in room with him all
night! the girl caught her breath
and half rose from her chair" and for
what? / cannot even tell him. l am
bound not to tell him. must sit by
and see him sacrifice himself TO friend
ship!'"
"Oh, sir, do you think" She bent
forward suddenly and, hiding her face
in her hands, rested them upon his
knees. He placed his own hand lightly
upon her head and wondered if il were
treason to have discovered that her
hair was mass of curls and clustering
rim OletS