Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-09-26

Jerry, realizing that in this instance
at least wisdom was the better part
OF valOr. FASTENED TO say that he would
go 10 see Marsylla Bayless first OF all
Perhaps. Jerry" said Mrs. Cham
bers, after her husband had left their
presence. you do not care for Mar
sylla as you might il she were any
body else. but you know that your fa-
theirs likes her, and IL IS just as well
20 humor him for a time. IL can do
no real harm"
"You are right. mother" said he
"Marsvlla and I always shall be the
best OF friends. but-but she is not
the one for me and ] know I am not
the one for her. Father seems more
determined than ever that I must
come to his way OF thinking. This
is the only case in which 1 have ever
found him to be unreasonable"
"But you viii so 20 see her-to-
night?"
Right away" and fifteen minutes
later the seventh person was almost
pushing himself towards a magnificent
house on the avenue beyond.
Wallace Chambers and Bernard Bay
less were princes IN the world of ex-
pandinE commerce. and their interests
often conhicted because of their sim
ilarty. Both were reaching out 70
the new fields. and Chambers knew
that so long as Bayless' strength and
position were 50 strong his great de-
sires OF conquest could not be gratified
he deemed himself the wiser. more
resourceful business man. and he fig
ured that a linking OF the two fami-
lies by the marriage tie would afford
him the opportunity that might enable
him eventually to WELD the scepter
of mastery.
Away back in tho grammarschool
days Marsylla Bayless. now a viva
cious social butterfly. plighted her
troth 20 Gerard Chambers. In the
years that followed the ways parted.
but each was actually forced to affect
a relationship that was more than that
of mere friendship Marsylla yearned
for a title OF higher sounding than
Mrs" Stu. she felt that she could
tribe with Jerry's affections, which
she imagined were OF the soundest
sort It is barely possible that Jerry
had been hypocritical in HIS attentions
towards her az times.
Marsyllas greeting was coated with
the sugar OF make believe. She tried
20 impress upon Jerry that she was
too happy for adequate expression. She
acted like the creature who had a
heart I'm a hand and a soul wrapped
around e.
Through school at last. and now
for the cruel. cruel world" said she.
as they sat on a davenport in the mel
low light OF a shaded table lamp. You
must now feel indeed that YOU have
entered into mans estate. What are
your plans?"
Jerry had determined 90 humor his
father as much as he consistently
could. but he also was equally deter
mined 20 let her know that he was not
dangling az the end OF her string.
Il thiuk III be going away for a
time" said he
ITO the beach,
"Oh. perhaps. III De gone for az
least two ycarB-and maybe longer.
may have a world OF fIn"
Two years?" she said in surprise.
and her pretty brow wrinkled. why.
Jerry, you-you never have mentioned
this 90 me-"
Il really haven't told anybody about
my plans. Even father and mother
knew nothing Of my plans until to-
day"
4 should think hat-that YOU
might have told me-" and she felt de-
pressed.
"oh. perhaps" IN the most indlGer-
ent way. Il didn't think IL would be
tremendously interesting. As n matter
OF fact l was putting in about an nv
time getting that sheepsbin. YOU know.
When fellow gets within houing dis
lance OF diploma ne doesn't"
Il am disappointed. hurt" she
pouted
He filled his pipe. his custom by her
permission, and soon was sending
rings OF smoke in the air.
You can't imagine how well you
are looking Marsy." he said. after a
time. giancing at a Rembrandt on the
wall. This cut her to the quick She
had suddenly come TO a realization
that Jerry Chambers. handsoner and
manlier than she had ever seen him
before. was not securely fastened TO
her string.
Jerry. you once said that that
-" and she startled him by breaking
into sobs.
Here. here. little girl. don't-don't
-" and he was so surprised that he
could not complete his sentence intel
ligently. He laid his pipe down and
patted her hand. He was completely
taken aback. Had he. after all. been
deceived in her? Did she really love
him? His heart softened. "Why. OF
course, Marsy," he stumbled on. II
meant-meant to"
She sprang to her feet and seat a
flash OF fire from her big brown eyes
and started across the door.
You said you loved me-" she cried.
''and you-you don't love me! never
want to see you again."
Before he had chance TO say any
thing she was running up the stairs
TO her room. He stood ia the middle