The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-08
bered Harrison's statement that she

bered Harrison's statement that she might come. but I had scarcely be- lieyed it until Judge Wharton's an- nouncement that she was due in two days. When the day came heard that they had come with it, but I naturally stayed away from the Wharton home until such time as I could call without causing remark. I did not wish to in volve Alicia in any gossip. If it was well for me to be cautious before should be doubly so now. as a Cover nor, however little his own personal merit may be, is watched and what ever he does is reported to all his world.
 Thus it came about that I first met her elsewhere and by chance. I had Kept Up my habit of solitary walks on the hills both for the sake of exercise and fo1 the mental concentra ton that it permitted. Nor was I often dis turbed when I chose to ramble thus alone; Frankfort. with century of tradition. considers it her duty always to let the Governor go his way un- molested. So on an afternoon when the spring was well advanced I left the Executive office and turned toward the nils. But I did not pursue any direct course, passing, as I strolled along, by the walls of the penitentiary which often had for me a sombre attraction, almost like that of an old and unfor- SOIlSIl, II pl0dSdnC, nome.
 The slopes were deep in green and the road was deserted. A hundred yards further on it turned and a lit tie distance ahead of me I saw wO- man walking. I should have known the figure anywhere. Her slightest moven ent or trick of gesture was pho- tographed on my mind, and my. heart beat at boyish speed. It had been many months since I had seen Alicia, a Cfi fad hvy a wall that could not be climbed, but her place in my heart was as large as ever and would never be diminished
 I increased my speed and I think she heard my footsteps behind her, because she turned and the red suddenly flushed her white still face, then re- treating, left it as white and calm as ever. She was in better command of herself than I-perhaps she had less to crush down. and stopping she held out her hand.
 "I have been expecting that you would come to see us,' she said, "but forgot your new dignity
 Tt was not that" I replied eagerly 'I would have come before you were here an hour, but-but.''
 I stopped. embarrassed, and she smiled a little sadly.
 'I know,'' she said frankly. "You dreaded the gossip-why should I not speak of it-and you were afraid that you might involve my name Do you know, Harry, I have got we'll beyond that point. I care very little what they may Say about me now.''
 "But I care, and I care greatly" said. 'I could not bear it for you to be attacked and that I should be the cause of it.''
 I had held her hand so long that the red came back to her cheeks, and then, seeing it. dropped the hand in a way that was almost brusque. But in the manner of woman she became quite composed and said:
 "You are going for your walk. have heard how you tread the hills am walking for pleasure. We will go together"
 Had she not spoken so should have turned into another path and left her, perhaps I ought to have done so even then, but I did not have the courage. I noticed moreover change in Alicia, spiritual rather than mental; she was clothed about with a wonderful new faith and sweetness, almost virginal, that turned blows like armor, and be- 1 lieve it was her freedom from the presence of Grey. Her husband he was and would be. but only in name | now, and she was a girl, girl to me | in her tender curves and the maidenly purity oe her face.
 It was the Alicia of my childhood, the Alicia who was my playmate, and I drew a sudden deep breath of joy at the knowledge.
 (To be Continued.)