Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-07-04

run the WOOIS. ne must come In the
old csrryall.-about the only vehicle
ever journeying along the road,--and
now. like brownie OF the forest. she
watched until she spied II afar and
then hid in the bushes and peeped out
until II passed each day.
A curious and somewhat complex
feeling toward this young man had
also come 10 her. At first. like a child.
she had loved him unasked. She had
known no different. He had seemed
like young god to her. and to cling
to him was supreme happiness. Then
had come an awakening. a conscious
ness that this freedom was not right
and must be checked. Following that
ALSO bitter lesson-it had come to
her that she was kind OK outcast. a
child OF shame. as II were whose orr
gin was despicsble. and who was de-
pendent upon the charity Of others.
This awakening. this new conscious
ness. was Ike a black chasm In front
OF her. a horror and shame combined.
and true 20 her nature she ded from II
Ike one pursued.
But two years had changed her
views OF humanity She had learned
that money and social position did not
always win lriends and re spect That
birth and snce stry were OF less con-
sideration than a pure mind and hon
est intentions. and that fne raiment
sometimes covered a base heart and
vie nature
Toward the boyish lover. also. her
feelings had been altered. A little OF
the old-time fondness remained. how.
ever. She could not put that away.
She had tried and tried earnestly. vet
the wildwood Illusion still fingered.
She had meant. also 90 put him and
herself quite epert-so far and in such
a way that she would never be found
BY him. That had failed. however: be
knew where she was. He had said
that he was coming here. Most likely
he would expect 20 renew the old ten.
der relations but "a that he would p.
disappointed. she was sure SIZE woui+
be glad 70 see him Tor old tiE4es' s-Se.
however. She would be gracious and
dignihed. az Aunt Abby was. She
wanted 90 hear all about the woods
and Old Cy again. but caresses must
be forbidden More than that. every
time she RECALLED how freely she had
permitted them once. she blushed and
felt that IL would be- an effort to look
him in the face again.
But she was anxious 20 see how he
would appear now: whether the same
boy, with frank. open face. or a com
manding. stlf.I assessed man.
Aro SO each pleasant afternoon she
strolled up this hsway road. When
the ancient carryau ess sighted. she
hid and watched .a,l passed
But Captain Mn i,s driver also had
observing eyes. Pie buew her now as
far as he could see her. as every one
I'm the village did. and he soon noticed
her unusual conduct. He also watched
along tie wayslde where she left f.
and slyiy observed lcr pceping out
from some th.c.,ct. Just why this odd
proceeding happened time and arain.
he could not guess. and not until a
strange Young man alighted from the
train one day and asked 90 bo left at
the home OF Mrs. Abby Bemis. did it
dawn on him.
Then De laughed. Friend o. Aunt
Abby. ! 'spose2" re inquired IN his
Yankee fashion. after they had started.
Nc" answered Ray. frankly. Il have
never seen the lady. know some one
Who IS living with her. however. 4
Miss Mc-Enymond. 7 mean"
Captain Mix glanced at him. his eyes
twihkllng. $50 yere 'Quainted with
Vera, be We" he responded. wal.
we're lucky" Then as curiosity grew
he added, known her quite a spell.
hev ye?"
But Ray was discreet. "Oh. three or
four years. he answered nonchalantiy.
Il knew her when she lived in Green
vale" Then 10 check the stage drivers
curiosity, he added. she was only "A
little girl. then. presume she has
changed since.
shes a purity gOodlookin' gal now. "
asserted Captain Mix. but middlin'
odd in her ways. Not much on gal
livantin round wi young folks. but go
in TO school suddy n roamin' round
the woods when she amt Party big
gal 20 be goin' to school she is. cal
late her arly dedication must a been
sOrter neglected. Mebbe ye know
bout f." and once more this persist
ent Yankee glanced al his companion
But Ray was too loyal 20 the little
girl he loved 20 discuss her further.
and made no answer Instead. he be
gan inquiries about Christmas Cove.
and as they logged on mile after mile.
he learned all that was 70 be known OF
that quiet village. When they had
reached point some three miles from
II. kindly thought came 20 the driver.
IF Vera amt 'spectin We" he said.
"mebbe ye'd like 70 s'prise her II SO
be Il. ye kin. She's most ailus out
this way n curislke. hides fore ! get
long whar she is. II see her to-day.
n we want TO. III drop We clus by n
let ye."
And so IL came 20 pass.
Chip. as usual, had followed her oft
taken walk on this pleasant May after
noon. When the carryel was sighted
also. as usual. she had hidden herself.
With beating heart she saw two occu-