Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-03-05

III that is true. then you need not I've
more afraid than I. because people is
plural. What were you saying about
81 bad heard them-in my heart.
When | heard your voice tonight I
knew that 1t was you who sang them
there. had been singing them for me al
ways"
SOP she cried gayly. "AIl that de
bate about pretty speech" Then.
sinking before him i'm courtesy. Il am
beholden TO you" she said. do you
think no man ever made little fat
terry for me before tonight?'
AT the edge of the orchard. where
they could keep an unseen watch on the
garden and the bank of the creek. Judge
Briscoe and Mr. Todd were ensconced
under an apple tree the former still
armed with his shotgun. When the
young people got up from their bench.
the two men rose hastily. then sumter
ed slowly toward them. When they
met. HAIRLESS shook each OF them cor
daily by the hand without seeming to
know it.
NS were coming to look for you"
explained the judge. william was
afraid TO go home alone-thought some
one might take him for Mr.. Harkless
and shoot him before he got into town.
Can You come out with Willetts i'm the
morning. Harkless." he went on, land
go with the young ladies to see the
parade? And Minnie wants you to stay
TO dinner and 20 To the show with them
in the afternoon"
Harkless seized his hand and shook it
and then laughed heartily as he accept
ed the invitation.
AT the gate Miss Sherwood extended
her hand to him and said politely,
while mockery shone from her eyes:
Good night. Mr.. Harkless. I do not
leave tomorrow. am very glad TO have
met you"
mer, If we can" said Minnie. weaving
her arm about her friends waist
You'll come in the morningY"
Good night. Miss Sherwood" be re-
turned hilariously. cit has been such
a pleasure to meet you. Thank you SO
much for saving my life. 1t was very
good OF you. indeed. Yes; In the morn
Ing. Good night good night" He
shook hands with all of them. includ-
Ing Mr.. Todd, who was going with him.
he laughed all the way home. and Will
liam walked at his side In amazement.
The Herald building was decrepit
frame structure on Main street. 1t
had once been small warehouse and
was now sadly in need OF paint. Close
ly adjoining II, in large. blank looking
yard. stood low brick cottage. over
which the second story OF the old ware
house leaned In an effect OF tipsy ar
lection that had reminded HARMLESS,
when he first saw II. OF an old Sunday
school book woodcut of an inebriated
parent under convoy of a devoted child.
The title to these two buildings and
the blank yard had been included I'm
the purchase Of the Herald, and the
cottage was the editors home
There was light burning upstairs
In the Herald Office. From the street
a broad, tumbledown stairway ran up
on the outside of the building 10 the
second floor. and at the stairway rail-
Ing John turned and shook his COM
panion warmly by the hand.
Good night, William" he said. 1T
was plucky Of you to join in that muss
tonight. / shan't forget It."
81 jest happened to come along" re-
piled the other awkwardly. Then.
with n portentous yawn. he asked.
Amt We goin' to bedT'
mo; Parker wouldn't allow it,
We'll" observed William. with an
other yawn. which threatened TO ex-
IL.
dknow how We stand it. It's closte on
IL o'clock. Good night"
John went up the steps, singing
aloud
For tonight Wen merry. merry be-
For tonight Wen merry. merry be-
and stopped on the sagging ola tform
at the top Of the stairs and gave the
moon good night with a wave OF the
hand and friendly laughter. At this II
suddenly struck him that he was TWEEN.
ty-nine years of age and that he had
laughed great deal that evening;
laughed and laughed over things not
in the least humorous. like an excited
schoolboy making n first formal call;
that he had shaken hands with Miss
Briscoe when he left her as If he shou Id
never see her again: that he had taken
Miss Sherwood's hand twice in one
very temporary parting; that he had
shaken the judges hand five times and
Williams four
"ldiotr' he cried. What has han
pened TO mey' Then he shook his ifs,
ut the moon and went in To work. he
thought
TO BE CONTINUED.