Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-21

sHo tAebt SlOe 20 u3d the place
whence came shat beartbreaking drip.
Disappointed In their desire TO get in
men crowded before the window.
Louise stepped softly forward and
drew the blind between him and the
mass OF curious faces without. She
was very pale. but quiet and self
possessed. She had rallied when
Langford had whispered 10 her that
Gordon's heart Was stiu beating The
doctor raped loudly. calling TO Lang
ford to open. Paul admitted him and
then stepped out in fun sight of all.
his hand sim on the knob. The late
moon was just rising. A faint light
spread out before him.
Boys" he cried. a great grief In his
stern voice. its murder. Dick Cor
don's murdered Now get-you know
what for-and be quick about it,"
They laid him gently on the floor,
took OF his coat and cut away tho
blood-soaked shirts. Louise assisted
with deft. tender hands. Presently
the heavy lids lifted. the gray eyes
stared vacantly for moment-then
smiled Paul bent over him.
What happened. old mani" the
wounded man whispered gropingly. II
required much effort 90 say this little.
and shadow OF pain fell over his
face
Hush. Dick. dear boy" said Lang
ford, with catch IN his voice. You're
all right nov. but you mustn't talk.
You're too weak. We are going 10
move you across to the hotel"
But whSt happened p" he insisted.
You were shot. you know. Dick.
Keep quiet now. I'm going for a
stretcher"
Am / done for?" the weak voice
kept on. But there was no fear In il.
You villa be If you keep on talking
like that"
Obeying a sign from the doctor he
slipped away and out Gordon closed
his eyes and was stin for a long time.
His face was white and drawn with
suffering.
Has he fainted?" whispered Louise.
The eyes opened quickly. They fell
upon Louise. who had not time 70
draw away. The shadow OF the old
sweet smile came and lowered around
his lips.
Louise" ne whispered.
yes. IL IS T." she said. laying her
hand lightly on his forehead. You
must be good until Paul gets back"
I'm done for SO the rest OF the
criminal calendar VIII have 20 go over.
You can 40 hack to-God's country
sooner thsAeyou thought"
Il am not going back to-God's
country" said Louise. unexpectedly.
She had not meant 10 say Il. but she
meant Il when she said H.
Come here close TO me. Louise"
said Gordon. i'm a low voice lie had
forgotten the doctor. You had better
IN get up II you don't Closer s;n.
want YOU to-k,ss me- before Pau,
gets back"
Louise grow white sre -'o 80.
itatingly stthe doctor. tlmidly at the
new lover In the old man. Then she
bent over him whore be lay stretched
on the floor anc kissed him on the
lips. great light came into his eyes
before he closed them contentedly and
slipped into Inconsistencies again.
Langford rounded up Jim Munson
and sent him across with stretcher,
and then ran upstairs for an extra
blanket OF his own bed. IL was bitter
ly cold. and Dick must be well
wrapped. On the upper landing he en-
countered Mary alone. Something IN
her desolate attitude stopped him.
What's the matter, Maryf" hs de-
manded. seizipg her hands.
Nothing" she answered, duly.
How is he?"
An right. trust and pray. but hurt
terribly, wickedly"
lie did not quite understand. Did
she love Gordon? Was that why she
looked SO hesrt-broken2 Taking her
face in his two hands. he compelled
her 10 look az him straight.
Now tell me-" he said.
did kill himf" she asked.
XIII whom"
Why, him-Jesso Black"
Then he understood.
Mary. my girl, was II you? Were
those last shots yours," All the RI
otous love in him trembled on his
tongue.
Did -" sho persisted.
God grant you did" he said, SCI
EMMY. There Is blood outside the
window, but he is gone"
i don't like to kill people" she said.
brokenly. Why do / always have TO
do it,"
He drew her 10 him strongly and
held her close against his breast.
You are the bravest and best girl
on earth, he said. MY girl-you are
my girl. you know--hereafter will
do all necessary killing for-my wife"
He kissed the sweet, quivering lips
as he said IL.
Why, JIM" cried Langford In sur
prise. Il thought you had gone with
the stretcher."
4 did GO" said Jim, swallowing
hard. He shifted neryously from one
spurred foot to the other but /
came back"
He looked at Langford beseechingIy.
Boss. / want to see you a minute.
ef-Mary don't mind"
1 will come with you, jim, now"
said I.appfprf with o,r~.b,.,