Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-10-09

toned JimSy Smiths services before
she descended from the mountains.
There was q lot 20 DO on their ar
rival Would ne mind attending TO
this and that for them. and would be
meet them: Jimsy duly attended 60
this and that. met them I'm his old
genial way. saw them installed I'm their
home dincd with them. as per Mrs.
Harris schedule-and. although the
winter was well advanced. had never
been there since. except to make a
brief call nc Christmas.
At each Of these visits Emma had
thrilled at sight OF him and at the
sound Of HIS voice. Il was with timid-
fly that she had extended her hand TO
him. but neither 10y pressure OF his
clasp nor by any sign OF manner, eN-
preston or information had he given
Indication Of remembrance that their
secret was known 20 each other. He
was the same quiet. kindly unchange-
able Jimsy. by her alone was his pro
iongcd absence understood Mrs. Har-
RS and Reth finally attributed it 60 n
reluctance TO meet continually on an
equal footing his employer. Captain
Williams. who had taken Jlmsy's place
as extra member OF the family and
usurped an his prcrogatives.
To Emma the captain was no longer
an object OF fear and detcstation she
knew that his affection was purely pa
fernal, and he knew that She under
stood him as no one dead or living
ever had or did She manifested her
appreciation Of his regard 10y n conf
donce which was 20 the old fellow n
comfort and huge delight Not that
his delight took q demonStratlvc form:
that was not I'm his nature. and Emma
would have been greatly astonishcd
could she have known what boon 90
him her frank friendliness was.
The fact was that his good deed 90
Emma had been the first striking ef-
feet Of Softcning process that had
been going on very, very slowly. So
slowly as not TO be noticeable 20 any
extent. for several years, which began
when he had been admitted 70 the
family circle OF his late general man
ager and with which. all unconscious
y. Emma had had a good Dell 20 do
He had anchored himself o. the family
as his one connection with r,drcmtut
and home life. But 10 had been a
cautious anchoring. maintained with
distrust and carrying with Il no reel
procity in the shape OF business or my
other favors A fighter who had got
nothing out OF existence without fight
ing. ever on the alert 10 forestall an
expected treacherous blow, his hand
had flown 10 his hip pocket. so 10
speak, NJ the slightest movement that
appeared 60 him TO be suspicious.
As tim~ wore ON, however. his dis
trust had vanished. and Mrs Harris aud
her daughters had become a necessity
10 him. lie was being civilized. He
preferred Emma 20 the others, which
Is saying that she was the person he
liked best on earth. but his manner OF
showing 81 bad been repellent because
misunderstood In the first place she
had hated him for his supposed inius-
tice 90 her hus band, whereas, having
read Brooks through from the start.
he despised him and would not help
him even 20 make her lot easier. when
reawakened diStrust, battling with uu-
willingness 10 believe that his high
estimate OF her had been unmerited
had caused him 20 try her out releut-
lessly on the occasion OF her appeal
for Brooks. alone sch him and at
his mercy I'm HIS rooms. she sad seen
that a warm heart, full OF pure re-
gard for her. beat beneath his forbid
ding exterior. From that night she
had learned TO respect han and judg.
him at his real value. HTs actions and
idiosyncrasies received at last their
true Interpretation.
AS for Williams. the proof that he
had not been deceived in her fortified
his faith and made him really happy
He was getting old. He had won his
hard fought, lifelong battle with the
world and was as rich as he cared To
be. The devil was disposed TO turn
monk. The yearning for affection, not
demOnstrative. but existent, which came
with the approach OF LIES sunset and
which was not 10 be found elsewhere
was gratided there. He put on slip
pers. smoked his pipe, had his favorite
chair. expressed his views In his au
thOritative way and liked to be con
suited.
But he never ceased 10 be impressed
with the OstentatiOus proclivities and
aristocratc airs of Mrs. Harris aud
Beth. though he laughed indulgently at
many Of the mothers foibles- To him
the two women represented the beau
monde and werS authorities on all that
pertained thereto. He deemed Il a
privilege 10 place one Of his automO-
biles at the famny's exclusive com
maDd, and It was the most luxurious
vehicle money could buy. That he did
not give IL outright was because he
knew their circumstances would not
enable them 10 maintain It
Emma was different from her moth
er and sister. She never gave herself
airs. He felt himself nearer 10 her
and the more Intimate they grew the
more she became endeared TO hin.
She had changed much since she had
left Brooks. A spirituality that he had
not. OF course. known In her in the old
days bad Increased the charm of her
personality, but her sensible, unaffect-
ed manner. her gentleness. were al
N.ra ~