Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-01-19


Taxed and gave way in his arms.
You must go. go" she whispered
''go, and-take me"
Once she had formed the determina-
tion. once she dared breathe II % him.
she pleaded desperately. boldly, de
fantly-peaded LOT a woman's very
life
Yes. yes. YOU must take me. 7
could not bear 20 stay here while YOU
were wandering ia that dreadful
country. 7 wouldn't even know where
YOU were, You might be ul-no one
20 nurse you-you might die. can't
let YOU 20. ] can't. 7 can't"
The slender fingers were cIasped
like cords OF brass behind his neck.
so unyielding'y she held him. The
round young arms touched his throat.
and the throbhing OF her pulses mad
dened him
His heart stood STILL then bounded
upward with one great burst OF e1-
uitation.
Take me- Noel. I'm Doe no trouble.
Indeed won't Z promise" and the
binding mists SWAN before her.
She dashed away the tears and
were. brave eyes that did not faltcr.
You said just now that 70 would
be very easy Tor YOU 20 go. can
90 just as easily. I have no father.
no mother. no one 90 miss me or care
no one but you"
Her waving hair brushed his cheek
the trembling lips were close 20 his.
the dampness OF her ewes fell upon
his hands. the tumult OF her heart
beat against his brcast-and he was
not made of rock
new and boundless world
stretched out suddenly before him.
He saw a new land a new life-vasr
mountains. the surg.ng seas. the wild
free birds-aud love. He grew
stronger. his brain cleared. and life
Elittcred with "A newer glory. The
strength az his arms crushed her to
him, and Anita knew that she had
won.
He loosei her slowly, led her 20 a
chair and took his seat beside her. II
could be done. OF course &c could be
done; but bee must think.
Yes yes.' he began. excitedIy. ct
can be done. easily done. But we
could not smuesle your trunk out OF
this house. d. you haven't a bag I'll
borrow Joe's without letting him
know &c."
IL have one" She nodded.
He seemed 90 steady himself. and
become quieter under this precious
responsibility
Then pack DC at once. Just the
things Won need most. nothing more.
q few trinkets maybe I'm come for
it myself. tonight. 90 this door.
"Now Jet noe see" he went on. more
calmly tomorrow is Monday.
You've never been here at Alardi
Gras? MOP Everybody VIII be on
Canal street az 10 o'clock watching
the arrival OF Rex. Where we're YOU
going 90 see the parade from? Club
gallery? Boston. OF course2 All
right IN meet you at the corner OF
Baronne and Canal. just as you get
on the car. You must manage TO
give them the slip some way-a girl
can be clever enough FOR that: we
viii get lost in The crowd. and take /
a cab as far as the leyee. You know
1 must keep out OF sight as much as
1 can. A lot OF people have seen me
IN New Orleans. and I might be
arrested. This morning l did not 7
care. but"
Suddenly there came a knock on
the door. He turned pale to his very !
lips. and sprang erect Every knock !
on the door and every step on the |
street would brighten him now.
Come In" Anita called.
Duke could feel himself trembling
as the door opened. Mrs Chaudron
stood on the threshold and smiled.
Anita. you must ask Mr.. Duke to !
dine with as this evening at seven.
Just the family, no company; we are
all so tired"
She smiled again and vanished
Duke turned 10 Anita and laughed |
recklessly. "An right. III do IL: we
might as Wen die game" Then he
sat down again, completely unnerved, !
as one who has passed through mo-
ment OF terror. For a few minutes
he sat there silently. thinking.
yes" he said. half 70 himself. II
believe I'll do it; 1t would be much |
safer. There are thousands OF mask
ers on the street; I'll get me black |
domino"
Good! Good" Anita clapped her
hands gleefully, as the April sun that |
bursts out through a storm.
Duke looked at the girl and won
dered at such childish efervescence |
mingled with so much OF resolution
and courage. Bat he did not even
smile.
1T would be safer" he said. rising |
quietly from his chair and we will |
take no unnecessary risks. Good-by, !
must go now. have a lot of things |
TO dO-fnd the ships captain. make |
all arrangements. and get back here
by seven. Oh. by the way" he turned |
from the door, "as I'm coming here |
TO dinner. maybe I'd better take your |
things with me when / leave Then |
Wen have nothing to hamper us to-
morrow. Hide them right here. under |
this sofa"
He had kissed her good-by for the |
last time. and the last time after that, p,