Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-05-18

through as best he could. but Helen
had disappeared
Then his progress was again I'M
peded by throng of people gathered
about a man who had been run over
| by heavy carriage and terribly in
jured
In the excitement no one but Bob
noticed an envelope which had evil
IDENTIFY slipped from the mans grasp.
He picked 1t up and put ii in his
pocket. intending to turn 1t over to the
proper authorities. slip of paper
fell out. and with 1t ten dollar bill.
Opening the paper 10 see If ii con-
tanned any clew to the mans identity
Bob read these words:
"If you will cease trying to modest
me. will give you this amount every
month. This is positively all l can
do for you"
The handwriting vas that of Helen
Wardlaw,
So agitated that he trembled, he de-
termined at once TO discover the truth
about the relations between the disso-
lutte, poverty stricken creature and
Helen Wardlaw.
There was small chance for his sur
viving his injuries, as Alexander learn
ed at the hospital.
Suspecting that the man might say
something before he died, Alexander
remained and thus was at his bedside
when the man reused. few moments
before the end. He opened his eyes
and looked at him and whispered:
Tell my wife-tell Helen-she will for
give me-now that-I-am-dying"
The whisper ceased, there was a
brief struggle. and all was over.
Alexander made arrangements for a
decent burial before leaving the hos
mind that the man had been Helen's
husband.
He longed to hear from her own lips
the story of ha life, which must have
had much sasoless and misery In 1t,
and his heart was full OF exultation at
the thought that she was now free
from her bonds, whatever they might
have been.
When the girl came into the Office
next morning he approached her gen.
tly.
There was an accident last night"
he said as calmly as he could speak.
"A man was run over ON the avenue,
and / went to the hospital and re-
manned with him until he died. He
dropped this paper, and l saved 1t. He
reused before he died and begged me
TO tell his wife to forgive him." He
handed her the note, which she took
with trembling hand.
"Ah, you known she cried brokenly,
and, covering her face with her hands,
she burst into passionate weeping.
He lonGed TO take her, In his arms,
to kiss the lovely lips which he knew
were dropping pathetically like the lips
of a hurt child, but he restrained his
longing and turned away.
Presently she ceased sohbing and
spoke 10 him.
$50 Beverly is dead" she said sol
EMMY. Poor Beverly! We were chill
dren together on neighboring planta-
lions, and | married him before-be-
fore learned what love was. He was
cruel. ! think cannot speak of that.
l was forced to run away from him
and came here. where my mother join
ed me. l lived in constant dread of
his finding us, but last night was the
first time he was able TO accost me.
He had sunk so low he threatened me-
But he is dead now, poor Beverly"
Then In a whisper: II am free. Free
at lastr
The desire to tell her of his love was
irresistible, but Robert Alexander COM
PEELED himself to bide his time Her
words before / learned what love
was" thrilled his heart with glad hope
and gave him courage to wait with
patience the day, which came soon,
when she was willing to confess to
him that 1t was he who had taught her
the true, beautiful meaning OF the
wcrd.