Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-03-10

Deeu bnOcHeQ Onty mere ana tnere are
women who see what a true Moloch
fashion Is: this tender-souled girl saw
only handsome habit which pleased
the eye. Health bloomed in her checks
health shone from her eyes. her step
had all the elasticity OF youth.
Good morning. james" she said
pleasantly.
James touched HIS hat What was
II. he wondered. Somehow her eyes
looked unfamiliar TO him. Had been
there I could have read the secret cas-
lily enough. Sometimes the pure pools
Of the forests are stirred and become
impenetrable; but by and by the COM
motion subsidies. and the water clears
So il is with the human soul. There
had been doubt hitherto in this girls
eyes; now, the doubt was gone
To him. soberly watchful. her smile
meant much: e was the patent OF her
innocence Of any wrong thought All
night he had tossed on his cot. think
ing. thinkingl What should he do?
Whatever should he do? That some
wrong was on the way he hadn't the
least doubt. Should he confront the
colonel and demand m explanation.
demand he knew n had a perfect
right to make? II this should be evil,
and the shame of It fall on this lovely
being? No, no. He must
stand aside. he must turn deaf ear
TO duty. the voice OF love spoke too
loud. His own assurance OF her limo
cence made him desire 10 fall at her
feet and worship. After all. Il was
none OF his affair. Had he not played
at this comedy this thing would have
gone on and he would have been in ig-
norance OF it's very existence. So, why
should he meddle2 Yet that monot-
onous query kept beating on his brain:
What was this thing?
He saw that he must wait. Yester-
day he had feared nothing save his
own exposure. Comedy had frolicked
in her grinning mask. And here was
Tragedy stalking In upon the scene.
The girl named dozen shops which
she desired to honor with her custom
and presence. and stepped into the
coupe William closed the door. and
James touched up the pair and drove
of toward the city. He was perfectly
Indifferent 20 any possible exposure. In
truth. he forgot everything. absolutely
and positively everything. but the girl
and the fertilization plans she had
been drawing.
Scarce a half n dozen bundles were
the result OF the tour among the shops
Mrs. Chaewick's. James
The call lasted half an hour.
AS the story-teller / am supposed to
be everywhere, TO follow the foot
steps OF each and all Of my characters.
and with a fidelity and perspicacity
nothing short OF the marvellous. So I
take the liberty OF imagining the pith
! OF the conversation between the woman
| and the girl.
The Woman: How long, dear. have
we known each other?
The Girl: Since / left school, be-
Eeve. Where did you get that stun
ming morning gown?
The Woman (smiling in spite OF the
| serious purpose she has in view :
Never mind the gown. my child; !
have something OF greater Importance
TO talk about.
| The Girl: Is there anything more
important TO talk about among women
The Woman: Yes. There is age.
The Girl: But, mercy, we do not
talk about that!
The Woman: / am going to estab-
lish a precedent. then. am 40 OF
at least. am on the verge of it
| The Girl (warningly): Take carel II
we should ever become enemies! II ]
! should ever become treacherousi
| The Woman: The world very well
knows that l am older than / look
That is why 1t takes such interest in
my age.
The Girl: The question is, how do
| you preserve il?
The Woman: Wen, then, / am 40
| while you stand on the threshold OF
the adorable POS. CWalks over to pic
ture taken Is years before and con-
templates it) All, to be 20 again; tc
start anew, possessing my present
learning AID wisdom, and knowledge
of the world: to avoid the pits into
which / SO carelessly stumbled, But
no.
The Girl: Mercy what have you
TO wish for? Are not princes and am
bassadors your friends: have you not
health and wealth and beauty? You
wish for something. you who are &C
handsome and brilliant,
The Woman: Blinds. my dear Betty
only blinds: for that is all beauty and
wealth and wit are. Who sees behind
sees scars of many wounds. You are
without a mother, | am without q
child. (Sits down beside the girl and
takes her hand in hers) VIII you lie,
me be a mother to you for just this
morning? How can any man help
loving you. Gmpulsively)
The. Girl: How foolish you are
Grace!
The Woman: All. to blush like that
The Girl: You are very embarrass-
ing this morning. I believe you are
livery sentimental. Well, my handsome
vmOfher for inst this uornsno What A