Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-06-13

Aooys hopes
Another success also came TO her,
for handsome as she undeniably was.
with her big, appealing eyes, her
splendid black hair. and well-rounded
form, the young men began to seek
her. One became persistent, and
when spring had unlocked the long,
curved bay once more, Chip had be
come almost a leader in the little cir
Gle OF young people.
Her life with those who had taken
her In charge also became more har-
monious. In fact. something OF affec-
ton began to leaven It. for the reason
that never once had Aunt Abby ques-
toned Chip as TO her past Aunt Mandy
and Uncle Jud had both cautioned her
as 70 its unwisdom. and she was broad
and charitable enough to let It remain
a closed book until such time as Chip
was willing to open It; and for this.
more than all else that she received.
Chip felt grateful But one day it
came out-or at least n portion OF II.
II suppose you have often won
dered where I was born. and who my
parents were" Chip said. one Sunday
afternoon, when she and Aunt Abby
were alone, "and want to thank you
for never asking" And then, omit
ting much. she briefly outlined her
history.
Il was born close to the wilder
ness" she said. "and my mother died
when l was about eight years old.
Then my father took me into the
woods. where I worked at a kind OF
a boarding house for lumbermen. /
ran away from that when 7 was about
16. I had to; the reasons 1 don't
want 70 tell. found some people
camping in the woods when I'd been
gone three days and most starved.
They felt pity for me. / guess. and
took care OF me. stayed at their
camp that summer. and then they
fetched me home with them and I
was sent 20 school. Somebody said
something to me there. somebody who
hated me She had been Fostering
mo all the time. and I ran away
| Uncle Jud found me and took care
OF me until you came. and that's all
want 20 tell. l could tell a lot more.
but I don't over want those people
TO End me or take me back where they
I came from. Then I felt I was so de-
pendent on them was twitted OF It
that It's another reason why ran
away. wouldn't have stayed with
Uncle Jud more than over night ex-
cept that I had a chance 70 work and
earn my board"
but wasn't Il unkiad or you-isn't
Il now-not 20 let these people know
you are sliye?" answered Aunt Abby
They wero certainly good 20 you"
Il know that they were" returned
Chip. somewhat contritely; hut /
couldn't stand being dependent on
them any longer. II they found where
7 was, they'd come and fetch me back:
and I'd feel SO ashamed I couldn't look
EN- In the face. I'd rather they'd
think was dead"
Well. perhaps II is best you do
not" returned Aunt Abby. signing:
but years OF doubt. and not knowing
whether some one we care for IS
dead or alive. are hard 10 bear. And
now that YOU have told me some OF
your history. I Will tell you lifelong
case OF not knowing some ones fate.
Many years ago my sister and myself.
who were born here. became acquaint-
ed with two young men. sailor boys
from Bayport. named Cyrus and Jud-
son Walker. Cyrus became attached
TO me and We were engaged 70 marry.
IL never came 20 pass. however. for
the ship that Judson was captain OF.
with Cyrus as first mate. foundered at
sea. All hands took TO the two boats.
Tho hudson ia 81.
but the other was never heard OF
afterward. In due time Judson and
my sister Amanda married He gave
up a sailors life. and they settled
down where they now live. I waited
many years, vainly hoping for my
sweetheart's return. and finally. realiz-
ing that he must be dead. married
Capt Bemis. That all happened so
long ago that I do not care 20 count
the years; and yet all through them
has fingered that piuful thread Of
doubt and uncertainty, that vain hope
that somehow aud someway Cyrus
may have escaped death and may re-
turn. ] know IL Will never happen.
/ know he is dead; and yet l cannot
put away that faint hope and quite be-
lieve II is SO. and never shall so long
as I live. Now you have left those
who must have cared something for
you in much the same pitiful state
OF doubt. and IL is not right" -
For one moment something almost
akin 10 horror flashed over Chip.
And was he called-was he never
Il mean this brother. ever heard
from?" she stammered, recovering her
self in time
why, no." answered Aunt Abby.
looking at her curiously. of course
not Why. what ails you? You look
as II you'd seen a ghost"
"Oh, nothing" returned Chip. now
more composed; only the story and
how strange IL was"
II ended the conversation, for Chip.
so overwhelmed by the flood OF posi-
bilities contained In this story. dared
not trust herself longer with Aunt
Abby, and soon escaped TO her room.
And now circumstances came troop
ing uDOn her the shfrvvracl- vfhfoh