Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-03-26

conscience tells me l should: but
can't and it makes me very unhappy.
That was why L acted so badly"
Your consciencer' he cried
oh know what tumble and puz-
zle 1t must seem to your
| Il only know one thing-that you are
going away tomorrow morning and
that shall never see you again"
The darkness had grown intense
| They could not see each other. but
| wan glimmer gave him a fleeting, misty
| view of her. She stood half turned
| from him, her hand to her cheek in
| the uncertain fashion of his great mo-
ment in the afternoon. Her eyes he
saw in the flying picture that he
| caught were troubled. and her hand
trembled- She had been irresistible i'm
her gayety. but now that mysterious
distress assailed her. of the reason for
which he had no guess. she was so
adorably pathetic and seemed such a
rich and lovely aud sad and happy
| thing to have come into his life only 10
| go out of it. s1d he was so full of the
prophetic sense of loss of her. il seemed
so much like losing everything. that he
found too much to say to be able to
say anything.
He tried to speak and cholSed little
A big drop of rain fell on his bare
head. Neither of them noticed the
weather or cared for it, They stood
with the renewed blackpess hanging
like drapery between them.
'Can-can you-tell me why You
| think you ought not to go?' he wills
pered finally with great effort.
] mo; not now. But know you
would think | am right In wanting TO
stay. know you would il you knew
about il: hut | can't. can't | must
| 20 in the morning."
| Il should always think you right"
he answered in an unsteady tone. .al-
ways" He went over TO the bench
fumbled about for his hat and picked
it up.
| Come" he said gently. II am going
| now"
She stood quite motionlCSs for n full
minute or longer; then, without Il word
she moved toward the house. He went
TO her. with hands extended to find her.
and his fingers touched her sleeve
Together and silently they found the
garden path ana followed its dim
length. In the orchard he touched her
sleeve again and led the way.
/ AS they came out behind the house
she detained him. Stopping short, she
shook his hand from her arm. She
| spoke in BREATH as IL il were all one
L word.
"Will you tell me why you go? 1t is
| not late. Why do you wish to leave
me. when shall not see you againY"
The Lord he good TO me,' he broke
| out. all his long pent passion OF dreams
l rushing to his lips as the barrier fell
4 Don't you see il is because | can't
| bear To let you goI | hoped To get
| away without saying il. want to I've
| alone. ! want To he with myself and
4 try to realize things. | didn't want to
| make a babhiing idiot of myself. but
l am. 1t is because don't want another
| second of your sweetness to leave an
| added pain when you've gone Ii Is
| because | don't want 10 hear your voice
| again. TO have il haunt me in the lone
/ Illness you will leave. But it's useless.
| useless. | shall hear it always. just as
f, i shall always see your face. just as
! l have heard your voice and seen your
face these seven years. ever since
/ first saw You, child. at Winter liar
Dor. | forgot for awhile l thought il
( was a girl | had made up out of my
, own heart, but ii WAS you all the time
5 The impression | thought nothing of
then; just the merest touch on my
| heart. light as it was. grew and grew
deeper till it was there forever. You've
known me twenty-four hours. and
understand what you think of me for
| speaking to You like this. If had
known you for years and had waited
and had the right to speak and keep
your respect. what have | 10 offer you
! couldn't even take care of YOU if YOU
went mad rs | and listened. I've no
| excuse for this raving- Yes. have"
He saw her in another second OF
lightning, a sudden. bright one Her
back was turned TO him. and she had
taken few startled steps from him.
All" he cried, you are glad enough
now to see me go! knew it. | want
ed to spare myself that. | tried not TO
be hysterical fool in your eyes" He
turned aside and his head fell on his
breast God help mer' he aid. What
will this place be to me now?''
The breeze had risen. Ii gathered
force 1t was chill wind. and there
rose wailing on the prairie. Drops OF
rain began to fall
You will not think a question i'm
piled in this" lie said, more composed
ly. but with an unhappy laugh at him
self. Il believe you viii not think me
capable Of asking you if you care
NO" she answered. IL do not love
YOU"
"Ah. was it question, after all? /
you r"aI he better tl.an | do. perhaps.