Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-06-06

but not WORD or reply came from
poor Chip. Such speeches were not
new TO her. and she had long before
ceased to answer them. But this one,
from its very truth. hurt more than
all others had. and. crushed by It, she
stole away out OF the house.
No thought that Ray might call came
TO her. She only wished 20 escape
somewhere, that she might cry away
her misery and shame in solitude.
The evening was but a repetition of
the previous one. The same sweet in
fuence and silvered light was all
about, but no heed OF its beauty came
to Chip. Instead. she felt herself a
shameful thing OF no account. Her
lover had failed her-now she knew
why, and as she sped along the lonely
way 10 the schoolhouse. scarce con
scious OF her steps, all hope and all
Joy left her. Why or for what purpose
she was hurrying toward this deserted
little building. she knew not. Hot
tears filled her eyes. Shame surged in
her heart. She was a nobody in the
eyes Of all her world. and once she
had reached the worn sill. 30 often
crossed by her. she threw herself upon
IL and sobbed I'm utter despair
For a long hour she sat there while
the tide OF feeling ebbed and tears
came unchecked. and then the reac-
tion came. with II. also. came some
thing OF the old courage and defiance
that had once led her to face night.
danger. and 60 miles OF wilderness
alone.
Il have made n mistake she said.
sitting up. and Hannah was right
am a nobody here. and Ray has been
told so and has kept away"
And now with returning calm. and
ssothed. maybe. by the still. ethereal
night, she saw herself. her past and
present. as II all was. Back in an In
slant she sped IN thought TO the mo-
ment when. kneeling to these people,
she begged for food: back to that FIRST
prayer she ever heard in the tent, and
the oIer OF rescue that followed
And then her life here. with all its
hopes and humiliation. rose before her.
1T was all wrong. my coming here, -
she said. looking away 20 the village
where lights twinkled: Il am not their
sort. nor they mine. I'd better go
away"
Then. lifted a wee bit by this new
resolve. she rose and returned to the
house.
The tall clock in the sitting-room
was just Ginning ten when she en-
tered. and Aunt Comfort was there
alone
Raymond was here this evening"
she said kindly. and waited quite a
spell. Where have you been?"
"Oh, nowhere" answered Chin.
pleasantly. only / was lonesome and
went out for walk"
Little did good Aunt Comfort realize
what a volcano OF hope, despair. shame
and tender love was concealed beneath
that calm answer. or the new resolve
budding In Chips heart.
No more did Ray suspect II when he
met her coming home from school the
next afternoon.
For during those two wretched hours
when she was alone on the worn
schoolhouse step. poor Chip Mcclure,
the low-born. pitiful waif, had become
q woman and put away girlish i'm
pulses.
couldn't come TO see you that first
evening" he said at once, for uncle
and aunty kept me talking till bed
time. Where were you last night?"
"Oh. didn't much think you would
come" answered Chip. calmly. smil-
Ing at him in a far-off way. 81 am a
nobody here. as you will soon find out,
and / don't expect-anything 1 got
lonesome last night and went on for
walk"
Ray looked at her IN wide-eyed
astonishment. And well he might, for
only two short days since she had
met him, an eager. simple girl, and
now she spoke like a woman. No
word, no hint of his neglect, escaped
her; but cool Indifference was ap-
parent
Tell me about the woods and Ola
Cy," she said. not waiting for him to
speak again. and how is the hermit?
want to know all about them"
"Oh, left 'em all right" answered
Ray. sulleniy, for like boy he wanted
to be coaxed. And then. urged a little
by Chip. he told his winters expert
ence.
One episode interested her most of
all-the strange trapper's doings, his
theft OF their game. their pursuit or
him and discovery OF his hiding spot.
II know who that was" she said,
when IL was all described. 1T was my
father, aud II he had caught you spy
Ing upon him. / guess he'd shot you
both. He always used to go some
where trapping every fall; but no
body could ever find where"
This return to the memories OF the
wilderness wore away something OF
Chips cool reserve. and when the
house was reached her eyes had grown
tender.
Il shall be glad to see you often-as
--as your folks will let you come"
she said. somewhat timidiy when they
parted; and scarce understanding this
speech. Ray left her.