The Virginia enterprise., 1904-03-18
BETWEEN
JOURNEYS
By NELLIE cRAVEY GILMORE
Copyright, 1908. by Daily story Pub. Coz

Copyright. 1909 by Daily Story Pub Col
7 1EUT PEARSON swung himself
!, on Broadway car with con-
siderable relief. The transport had ar
rived but an hour ago, thus allowing him
scant time and no ceremony in which
to see the barber and pay flying visit to
his apartments.
Four years had wrought little material
change in the scenes about him; he could
shut his eyes and almost fancy that only
day and night had elapsed since the
last time he had taken this ride. Alas,
how we'll he remembered it-every lit
tie detail, full of sadness inexpressible
to them both, but fuller even Of hope
that had long since shrivelled and died.
Certainly, he thought, it was a very
curious irony that was bringing him to
her house now. But whatever the cause
Or the lack of one-that had brought
about her sudden marriage with the 9TH
er man, only one fact remained for pres
ent consideration. Benton was dead
and with almost his last breath, had en-
trusted to him, message for the woman
he was leaving behind.
Pearson's hand went involuntarily to
his pocket, just as it had done hundreds
of times before In the year that had
passed. The packet was safe and he drew
a sigh of relief Another half hour, and
It would be-thank Heaven-out of his
keeping forever
He left the car in a fever of nervous
ness, but the walk of several squares in
the cool, brisk wind, restored his self
pOise. A strange mixture of emotions
fought for dominance as he stood again
in front of the old-fashioned door with
its old~fashioned brass knocker. But
he presented his card quite calmly to
the servant who let him in, and sat down
without trepidation in the familiar draw
ing room, to wait.
Mrs. Benton came in almost immed-
lately. Il received your message" she
said, holding out her hand. land
dressed at once so as not to detain you
l think it rather too bad that you must
hurry right off again"
The lieutenant relinQuished her fing-
ers in silence and sat down in the chair
she indicated. I'm sorry myself" he re-
turned, presently, "but circumstances
require it and circumstances, you know,
are about as inflexible sometimes as the
proverbial stubborn fact"
After a desultory interchange of in
quiries and "reminiscences, Pearson fun
bled in his pocket for the little package
I, ho1 to- int Il
hands, drawing it out with a keener
sense of constraint than he had imag gined
possible.
"Doris-Mrs. Benton" he began, un-
certainly, "your-he requested me to
give you this. l."
quietly, extending her fingers quite
passively
Pearson regarded her in some sur
prise. He had expected tears, questions,
hysterics-anything but this inscrutable
calm. Did she, then, love him so very
much after all as to be compelled to crush
back all feeling behind mask? Or-he:
dismissed that other thought almost
before it was born.
SIS this all?" she asked after pause.
"Was there any word-any last word
for me?"
Lieut.. Pearson flushed to his temples.
How was he to tell her that the mans
her husband d's-dying breath had framed
another woman's name? Benton had
asked him, dispassionately enough, to
deliver the packet to his wife; that was
all. And everything the packet con-
tanned was the seal-ring Doris had given
him and one or two trivial little orna-
ments of hers he had brought with him
to the Philippines.
HE was unconscious at the last" he
replied after silence.
@) Mrs: Benton looked at him earnestly.
"But-before that?" she insisted with
undisguised eagernsss.'
He met her eyes without flinching now
eyes" he said, there was something" Z"
: ''Tell me" she leansd \back in her
chair, folding her hands tentatively.
''Tell me-everything," she went on
with little catch in her voice. Il want
TO know the truth, Jack" ......
PEARSON remaincf silent for some time.
The truth he could not tell her; it must
!. be lie or nothing. The lie was safer.