Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-10-27

- WIS essentially summer
play house. and yet John DrysdaIe.
looking through the blurred glass OF
the carriage that had brought him
from the station through the sudden
April shower. saw I'm the light stream
Ing redly from the windows a warmth
OF welcome that summer could not
show. y pile OF logs was blazing in
the hall fireplace, but he paused only
Tor n moment TO get of the outdoor
chill and then ran up 10 his room 10
dress for dinner He knew the Gus
toms OF the house, and he hoped for a
reward II he dressed promptly.
Nor was he disappointed. for when
he came down the stair some fifteen
minutes later he saw standing before
the fire a regal figure. He paused a
moment 10 contemplate 1.-THE white
shoulders rising from gown OF rich.
dark red, the poise OF the head with
It's black couture. the grace OF the ann
hanging idly by her side.
She was gazing intently into the fire.
deep in thought. and for an instant
she did not hear him. Then she turn
ed with that rare smile which n WON.
an OF ardent temperament gives to
only one man In the world.
IL heard you drive up" she said. 81
thought you might remember our old
habit"
'As II I could forget IT, Do you
know" and he held her at arms length
10 look at her. you take my breath
away. But, then. you always do. My
lnpk gppTnS ton cnrtnIafar,- -
perfect 20 be true"
Her color deepened n little under his
gaze, but her eyes did not waver.
Il don't want YOU 10 live in a state
or perpetual breathlessness," she said.
"Oh, you don't know what a delight
ful state 1t Is. There's nothing in my
appearance TO cause palpitation OF the
heart Just moment ago. when I
came to the turn OF the stair and look
cd down and saw you standing here.
DO you know l was appalled, at the
sheer wonder OF the thing she is
mine l said 70 myself--'she Is mine
and yet l couldn't quite believe il. II
seemed too stupendous. too utterly alb
s5ird What have l done to deserve
yOuT"
There was something very touching
in the sincerity of the frank. boylsh
face. She answered with a pressure OF
the hand which said more than many
words
Il feel good deal as that page felt"
he went on after a moment, who look.
ed up at Kate. the queen. she never
could be wronged, be poor he sighed,
need him to help her."
And yet in the end she did need
him, didn't she? Perhaps" and her
face changed and she looked away into
the fire again-"perhaps / may need
you-may have TO ask great sacrifice
OF you
ASK it" he said eagerly. ASK any.
thing but that 1 give you up"
Il have already asked one thing"
she said slowly. looking at him with
face very gentle. mo little thing
your trust, your confidence, your
You had no need TO ask IT." and he
caught her hands again. 1T was yours
already"
And Will be mine alwaysY'
'Can you doubt itr"
mo; and / shall be glad to remem-
Der It,"
mot long ago." he said, looking at
her, "a friend OF mine gave me some
good advice"
(Which WASP"
THAT / be happy in having you
without conditions; that I try to live
up to you and be worthy OF you; that
try TO do something worth while for
your sake"
She had listened with raised brows.
Il didn't know was a subject OF
discussion
You're not-but you sent me to
him
"Oh-Mr. Godfrey" A little cloud
came upon her face; she opened her
lips to sey something more, but
step sounded on the stair and Ire
maine came slowly down There was
look on his face not pleasant to see.
but he banished all trace OF it as he
came forward.