Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-02-17

"1Ic i,rodiGaI Is yourself"
have guessed who it is that lies there
know sinned against him and
against myself and left him to die I'M.
forgiving. That is what the statue
said to me, as lie must have said, 4
am no more worthy to be called thy
son."
"Ah," she cried, he knew and he
forgave you, Hugh! His last thought
was of your coming. That is why /
carved the figure there
you carved it, he exclaimed. She
bent her forehead to his hands as they
rlasped her own.
THE prodigal is YOURSELF" she said.
Il modelled it once before when you
came back TO him, in the time you have
forgotten. But destroyed 1.-THE
words were very low now-"on my
wedding day"
His hands released hers, and, looking
up, she saw. even in the moonlight
that with the last word his face had
gone ghastly white. At the sight timid-
ity, maidenly reserve. fell and all the
woman in her rushed uppermost. She
lifted her arms and clasped his face
Hugh" she cried, cant you remem-
Der? Don't you understand? Think!
| was blind, dear, blind A white
bandage was across my eyes, and you
came to me in II shaded room. Why
did you come to Ine:'
A spark seemed to dart through his
brain like the prickling discharge from
Leyden jar. He saw himself stand
ing, facing a figure with bandaged
eyes. He saw the bandage torn off,
felt that yielding body in his arms,
heard Il voice - her voice crying:
Hugh, Hugh! My husbands" and felt
those lips pressed TO his own in the
tense air Ola dalilened room.
A Cry broke from his lips: YES, yes,
remember! .!essica, my wife!" His
arms Went round her, and, with n little
sob, she nestled close TO him on the
doorstep.
That hour on the mountain side I'M
der the stars had left Harry possessed
of melee of perpieXing emotions.
Dreaming and waking Jessicas face
hung before his eyes, her voice sound
ed in his car. The future held no long
er any doubt; ii held only her Where
was that future to be? Back in the
city to which his painful curiosity had
so lately driven him? This lay no
longer in his own choice. 1t was for
her to decide now-Iessica, his wife.
He looked up transfxed, for she
stood there before him ankle deep in a
brown whirlwind of leaves from a
frost stung Cak. her hand TO her cheek
in an adorable gesture that he knew.
her lips parted and eager.
Il wanted so 10 iiad Jon she said.
81 lave so many. many things TO say"
cit is all wonaerfailt' strange and
new" he said. III is as though had
rubbed Aladdin's l;..ap and Suddenly
had ny hearts desire. How could ]
have thrown my pearl away?"
Eve are not to think of that" she
protested. 'ncver, mover any more.''
you are right" he rejoined cheer
fully. 1T is what is to come that we
must think Of" He paused an instant
then he said:
Last night when you told me of the
white house in the aspans did not tell
you that l had just come from there
from Aniston."
She made an exclamation of wonder.
Tell me-" she said
Sitting with her hand in his, he toll,
Of that nights experiences, the fear
that had held him as he gazed at he1
portrait in the library. the secret OF
the Korean Desk that had solacsd his
misery and sent him back to the IA
Their lie WAS not to see.
At mention of the will she threw out
her hand with a passionate gesture.
Tile money is not miner she cried.
ut is yours. He intended to change
It! lie told me SO the day he died!
| Oh, il you think r.
NO, no" lie said gently. "There is
no resentment, 10 false pride, in my
love, Jessica | am thinking of you
and Of Aniston. You would have me
| go back, would you not:'
she looked up, smiling. and slowly
shook her head. You are Il blind
gucsscr." she sail. Don't you think
know what is i'll your mind: Not
Aniston, Hugh. i;o!mc time, but not
now-not yet 1t is nearer than that"
His eyes flowed into hers. You UNI
derstand. Iea, ii is here. This is
where Eiust t;.lish my fight first.
Yesterday | woul;i have left Smoky
mountain forever because you were
here. Now
81 will help YOU" she said. IAN
the world besides counts nothing If
only we are together could live In
II cabin here OH the mountain always.
in a forest of .lruen. Ill grow old
and want nos!iin. but that-:inl YOU
AS he did not answer, she faced him
with crimsoning checks; then, reading
his look, she suddenly threw her arms
about his neck.
Hugh she cried, we belong to
each other now! There is 10 one else
to consider. is there: | want to be to
you what haven't heen-to bear
things with you and help you!"
He kissed her eyes and hair. "You
have helped, you do help me, Jcssica"