Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-01-30

with his thoughts. II was a favorable
opportunity.
Jessica had the fateful draft in her
hand as she ran quickly down the
trail and across the cleared space TO
the cabin door. 10 was wide omen
Pccring warily. she saw that both
rooms were empty. and. with guilty
last glance about her. she entered. A
nail I'm the wall held an ola vi9lin. and
beneath IL was a shelf OF books. She
took one from the mcarer row and
opened IL curiously II was David
COppertcld" and She saw with kim
ding interest that heavy lines were
drawn alou- certain o. the pages She
, looked about her Where should she
put the Craft? He had left q marker
IN the book. He Woald open ~ again
no doubt She laid the draft between
Tie printed leaves. beyond the marker
Then. replacing the volume ON the
shelf, she ran from the door and has
tened back up the steep trail to the
Knob
Leaning back against the warm rock.
tapped in the serene peacefulness Of
Che spot. Jesslca fcll into reverie
Never since her wedding day baa
she said 20 herself boldly II love him"
never till yesterday Row an was
changed Her thought was a tremu-
i0us assurance: Il shall stay here near
him day after day. watching Some
day his memory viii come back. and
then my love viii comfort him. The
town viii forget &c bias hated and will
come 10 honor him. Some time. seeing
how be Is changed. his father viii for,
give him aud take him back. and we
shall all three go home 90 the white
house in the aspens. II not. then my
place VIII still be with Hugh. Perhaps
we shall live here. Perhaps a cabin
like that will be home. and shall live
with him aud work with him and care
Tor him"
Thus she dreamed new day dream.
uuravaged by the sordid tests of YER
fly.
So absorbed was she that she did not
hear step approaching over the
springy moss. a sharply broken breath
as the intruder stilcd an exclamation.
She had drawn her handkerchief
across her eyes against the dancing
glimmer OF sunlight suddenly it drop
ped 90 her lap. and she half turned.
In an instant OF surprise. as Harry's
look flashed into hers. q name sprang
unhidden 10 her lips-a name that
struck his strained face 20 sudden
Wilderness. ringing IN his ears like the
note Of a suuKen bell. All that was
clamorlng in him FOR speech rushed
into words.
"You Gail my namcr he cried "You
know mel Have ever been Hugh TO
you? Your face. that white band
10 me like something far away that ]
have known. / was mistaken. was
crazy TO think that you
He stopped. 4 wave OF sympathy
passed over her She felt a mad wish
10 throw all aside. to cry TO him: lyon
did know me, You loved me oncei ]
am Jessica-I am your wife" So in
tense was her emotion that IL seemed
10 her as IL she had spoken his name
again audibly. but her lips had not
moved, and the tap OF a woodpecker
on a nearby trunk sounded with harsh
distiEcnesS-
Il have wanted 10 speak 10 you" she
said after an instant i'm which she
struggled for self control you did
brave thing yesterday - splendid
thing 1t saved me from sorrow all
my lifer'
lie put aside her thanks with n ges-
ture You saved me also. You found
me III and suffering. and your horse
carried me 20 my cabin"
Il want to tell YOU" she went on
hastily. her fingers lacing. that / do
not Judge you rs others do. know
about your past life-what you have
forgotten | know you have put it all
behind you"
His face changed swiftly. Today
the determination with which he had
striven 10 put from his mind the prob.
lem OF his clouded past had broken
down. In the light of the charge
which had been flung in his teeth the
afternoon before his Imagination had
dwelt intolerably on il.
you know he said hoarsely. "Yet
you say that They stoned me IN the
street the DAY / came back. Yester-
day they counted me a thief. IL Is like
a hideogs nightmare that ] can't wake
from Who am II Where did ! come
from? | dare not ask for fear of fur
Their shame. Can you imagine what
that means."
She came close to him and touched
his arm.
Il know all that you suffer" she
said. "You are doing the strong thing.
the brave thingi The man in you Is
~E~n~r- --~w,-