Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-09-20

was locked out, for on this side there
was only the keyhole, and the key was
within.
He was over the wall and back at
her side within the minute. She was
trembling terribly. All her nerve SEEM
ed gone. She must fly--she must fy-'
but he would come again the next
evening? And again she was looking
I'D divinely in his eyes, his right hand
clasped In both of hers, and again the
burden of past weakness bowed him
down, but this time there was couu-
terpoise of hope and high resolve, q
vision Of atonement and self respect
regained that gave to his voice clear
or, manlier note and to Claire In the
thin moonlight first and last glimpse
of the Tom Erickson of Winw0od up
lands and red autumn afternoons. But
1t was Row her turn to be refused.
"No, Claire" he said, II am coming
back no more. You have put 1t In my
power not only to have my little own
again, but to redeem the past, and l
must set to work at once. II / don't
get that EDS now you may hear Of mo
next in Horsemonger lane. II / do
there's an Indiaman-the Jean-saillng
Oh Monday, and sail In her II there's
Storage berth still going. At all
events my debts here will be paid and
done with. There may even be few
pounds over to make me decent when
land, and IL that firm won't have me
now some other may. You shall hear
of me from there. There are not going
to be two false starts. And one day,
Claire, am coming back better man
than | go away, and 1t will all be
thanks to you. Oh, thank you for your
noble letter! 1t has saved me on tho
brink, little as l deserved 1t. l shall
never stoop or sink-like this-again.
That I promise you. But you should
think no-more of me! l was never wOr-
thy of you. I never can be that. 1t Is
best to forget me, dear. You must not
spoil your life by waiting for man
Her palm sealed his lips.
"For the only man want" she whis-
pered through her tears. Darling, l
could wait forever"
81 will write and tell you about the
f35," he continued. regaining control OF
his voice. "It will be all your doing,
my own brave Claire. No. no! Not my
own. Never that any more"
Forever, darling. Forever and ever
and ever.'
mo, no! Only be happy yourself.
and forgive me for ali made you sui.
fer. I shall never forgive myself.
Goodby, beloved! Oh, goodby, goodby!
He strainedsher to his breast but1efc
no kiss upon those pleading, praying,
upturned lips. He was, not worthy to
touch them with his. He remembered
this up to the end.
1t was twenty minutes past 10 by
Captain Blaydes' gold repeater when
through the window Of a hackney
coach. creeping all too slowly along
the Finchley road, the captain recog-
aized a wayfarer, who also recognized
him, and thrust his iron gray head
through the opposite window to curse
the coachman and bid him drive faster.
AS he pulled it in again Tom Erich
zen scrambled into the coach upon the
other side, an unpleasant smile upon
his set face and his thick stick IN his
hand. He had not promised to avoid
Blaydes il chance threw them together,
and chance had done SO, for Tom was
on his way to make his bed once more
| in the fields.
"You internal ruffian" roared the
captain. eli, coachman! The police"
"You miserable swindler!" retorted
Tom. IF you don't stop the coach at
once and step outside with me you're
ruined man. I'll go on to the Hard
ings with you and expose you
| 1.-THE Hardings"
Eyes. You see, know all your little
plans"
Little plans!'
The captain gasped and stopped tho
coach.
4