Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-06-13
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eN~g NAt Years out You We Deen so
good and patient witt me. 1 couldn't
help e I hain't many friends here.
guess. and" choking back another
sob shall be more lonesome'n
ever"
Il was true enough. as Miss Phinney
well understood. and somehow her
heart went out 20 this unfortunate girl
now, as never before.
You mustn't think about that" she
said at last, in her most soothing voice,
but come and see me as often as you
can-every day. II you like. for I shall
always be glad to have you. I'd keep
on studying. IL / were you" she added.
as Chip frightened. 1T viii help YOU
on. and 1 viii gladly hear you recite
every day"
Then hand in hand like two sisters,
they left the dear old schoolhouse.
Little did Miss Phinuey. good soul that
she was, realize how recently poor
Chip had cried her heart almost out
on its well worn sill, or that never
again would this strange. wiusome
woman-grown pupil enter that temple.
At the parting OF their ways the two
embraced, kissed. and with tear
dimmed eyes separated.
i can't account for f." Miss PhIn-
ney said 10 herself when well away.
IL may be a love affair with young
Stetsou. or it may be something
worse"
That evening she called on Angie
Tho result was fruitess. so far as OBJ
tanning any light upon this pulling
matter was concerned. for Angie was
either blind TO the situation. or feigned
ignorance
They were together all last sum-
rner. OF course" she said. 'in fact. they
were forced 20 be like two children.
you know. I was glad 70 have it so.
feeling 10 would benefit the girl If
any love fame was started then. IL
has had ample time 10 die out since"
There is something else the matter
with Chip. then" Miss Phiuney re-
Joined, she has been moody and quite
upset az times for the past few weeks.
and to-day when school closed. she
sobbed like a broken hearted woman.
Il was quite pathetic, and ! had 20 cry
myself"
That night Angie took counsel Of
her husband.
well. what II il is So" he respond
ed TO her suggestion that a love affair
might have started between them. 1T
won't harm either. So far as I've OBJ
served. the girl couldn't have been bet
ter behaved since she came here. She
has never missed an hour at school an
winter. no matter how cold Il has
been. Her teacher SAYS she has made
wonderful progress. She has attended
church with YOU every Sunday. and
as for Ray-weu. ~ were ia his shoes
| I'd be in love with her myself"
1t was clear enough that Angles
fears were not shared by Martin.
"But think OF her origin and parent
age" answered Angie. "2nd that out
law father who might appear az any
time! The very idea OF Ray marrying
her is preposterous. IL would wreck
his life"
But what about Chip?" returned
Martin. who had broader views Of life.
/ You brought her here 20 Christisnize
and educate her; do you propose 20
/ turn her adrift because she has a
pretty face and the boy sees it? She
/ isn't 20 blame for her origin. AS for
/ Ray. II he shows that be is able TO sup
/ port a wife and wants her, I honor
/ him for IT, and I'll give him house 20
/ start with"
AT Aunt Comforts, however. no
/ signs OF love troubles were visible; in
fact, no signs OF any sort except the
} malicious hanging around" interior
! ence OF Hannah whenever Ray was
! there. she seemed 20 feel II her duty
/ 70 remain on guard at such times.
much 10 Rays disgust No annoyance
at this was apparent in Chip. She
/ helped at Homework. studied at odd
hours, and when Ray came she met
and talked with him as II he we're a
! brother
The day he was 20 leave GreenvaIe
was close at hand, however, and the
evening before he came early, bring
ing his banjo. and by taciI consent.
perhaps TO escape Hannah. they both
left the house at once.
Just above the village there was
long, narrow pond, wooded upon one
side and around its upper end, with
partially cleared land and scattered
trees along the opposite bank. One OF
these trees was a monster beech near
the waters edge the trunk OF which
was SCARED by many intwined initials
To this lovers trysting tree now
came Ray and Chip.
The evening was not one for ro-
nance. for no moon graced it-only
stars were reflected from the ponds
nnotionless surface, while firefiies
twinkled above it.
The shadow OF the near parting also
lowered over these two as, hand IN
hand. they picked their way up and
along the bank; and once seated be-
meath the tree, 1t seemed to forbid
speech.
Il wish you'd play some of the songs
you used to-" Chip said at last hur-
Tiedly; I'D like TO think I'm back at
the lake again"
Glad TO do so. Ray drew out his
banjo and began TO tune it. He start
ed a song also-one Of the grave
yardy" ones which Old Cy had inter
dicted, but choked at once and stopped