Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-04-02
BETWEEN
JOURNEY
BY NELLIE cRAvEY GILMORE
Copyright. 1908. by Daily story Pub. Co,


Il on a Broadway car with cor
SIDERABLE reiiet The transport had ar
rived but an hour ago. thus allowing him
scant time and no ceremony in which
TO sse the barber and pay a 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
aast time he had taken this ride Alas,
how well he remembered it-every lit
tie detail. full of sadness inexpressible
To them both, but fullsr even of hope
that had long since shrivelled and died
certainly, he thought, it was very
curious irony that was bring ing him to
her house now. But whatever the cause
or The lack of one-that had brought
about her sudd, N marriage with the 9TH
ier man, only one fact remained for pres
-ent consideration. Benton was dead.
and with almost his last breath. had en-
strusted to him. message for the woman
he was aying behind.
} Pearson's hand went involuntarily to
his pocket. just as il had done hundreds
!of times before in the year that had
passed. The packet was safe and he drew
q sigh OF r, lief. Another half hour, and
II would be-thank Heaven-out Of his
Excepting forever
he LETT the car in fever OF nervous
CESS. but the walk OF several squares in
Sthe cool. brisk wind, restored his self
posse. A strange mixture of emotions
Fought for dominance as he stood again
I'm front Of the old-fashioned door with
I It's 0ld-fashioned brass knocksr But
DO presented his card quite calmly to
sthe servant who let him In, and sat down
ting room, to wait.
MRS. Benton came in almost immed-
Saieiy. Il r. ceived your message" she
Sssaid. holding out her hand, land |
dressed at once SO as not to detain YOU
Il thiak it rather too bad that you must
hurry right of again"
The lieutenant relinquished her fng-
ters in silence and sat down in the chair
ssac Indicated. I'm sorry myss IT." he re-
Burned. presently, but circumstances
require it and circumstances, you know,
are about as infiexible sometimes as the
Speoyerbial stubborn fact"
After a desultory Interchange of in
qpiries and "reminiscences. Pearson fun
.bled in his pocket for the little package
he had crossed the ocean to putinto her
hands, drawing il out with a keener
sense OF cons traint than he had imagined
spossible.
~Doris-Mrs. Benton" he began, un-
certainly, "your-he requested me TO
give you this. I"
Thank you, Jack" she interposed,
uuprIy. extending her fingers quite
spassiveiy,
Pearson regarded her in some sur
prise He had eXpe cted tears, questions,
Mysteries anything but this inscrutable
Scaim. Did she, then, love him so very
smuch afterall as 10 be compelled TO crush
back ali feeling behind mask? Or-he
dismissed that other thought almost
before il was born.
SIS this ALP" she asked after pause.
Was there any word-any last word
for me?"
Iaeut. Pearson flushed to his temples.
How was he to tell her that the mans
her husband's-dyinS breath had framed
another woman's name? Benton had
asked him, passionately enough. to
deliyer 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.
lments of hers he had brought with him
so the Philippines.
He was unconscious at the last, :" he
srepiied after silence.
Mrs. Benton looked at him earnestly
S3ut-befcre tEat?" she insisted will
'nnaisguisec eagerns S.
He met her eyes without finching now
Yes, he said, there was sonnet hing.
Tell me-" she leaned back in he
chair. folding her hands tentatively
"Teli me-everything," she went OF
Nith little catch in her voice. Il wan
10 know the truth, Jack"
Pearson remained silent for some time
The truth he could not tell her: ii mus
=. .be lie or nothing. The lie was safer