Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-07-16
Continued from 18th page.

Nnite LouSt III Tue aSpehS dlU not tell
you that had just come from there
from Aniston"
She made an exclamation Of wonder.
''Tell me-" she said
Sitting with her hand IN his. he told
Of that nights experiences, the fear
that had held him as he gazed at her
portrait in the library, the secret of
the Korean desk that had solaced his
misery and sent him back to the ia
Their he was not TO see
At mention of the will she threw out
her hand with passionate gesture.
1.-THE money is not mine!" she cried.
1T is yours, He intended to change
it! He told me so the day he died,
oh, if you think r.
mo. no." be said gently. There is
no resentment, no 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 blind
guesser," she said Don't you think
] know what is in your mind: Not
Aniston, Hugh. Some time, but not
now-not yet. 1t is nearer than that"
His eyes flowed into hers. You I'm.
derstand. Yes, it is here. This is
where l must finish my fight first
Yesterday ! would have left Smoky
mountain forever because you were
here. Now
vii hOlt ha
the world besides counts nothing II
only we are together. / could live in
a cabin here on the mountain always,
in forest of Arden, till | grow old
and want nothing but that-and you"
AS he did not answer she faced him
with crimsoning cheeks; then, reading
his look, she suddenly threw her arms
about his neck.
Hugh she cried, I'VE belong to
each other now. There is no one else
to consider, is theret l want to be to
you what / haven't been-to bear
things with you and hep YOU"
He kissed her eyes ana hair. you
have helped you dc help me, Jessica~
he urged But am jealous for your
love II must not be offended. The
town Q: Smoky Mountain must not
eer-and it would sheer now"
LET it, she exclaimed resentfully.
LAS if would care"
But ! would care" he said softly.
81 want to climb little higher first"
She was silent a moment, her fingers
twisting the fallen leaves. You don't
81
wife!"
Not yet-till can see my way"
She nodded aud smiled, and the
cloud lifted from her face. You must
know best" she said This is what
| shall do, then shall leave the san
itarium tomorrow. The people there
are nothing to me- but the town of
Smoky Mountain is yours. and ! must
be part Of it too. am going to the
Mountain Valley House. Mrs. Halo
ran will take care of me-" She sprang
to her feet as she added. ~ shall so
TO see her about it now.
He rose and walked with her through
the bracken to the road. They came
out 'to the driveway just below the
AAdA lAdI Aeu u iut huOb. ne
bank was high, and, leaping first, he
held up his arms to her and lifted her
lightly down. In the instant as she
lay in his arms he bent and kissed her
on the lips.
Neither noted two figures walking
together that at that moment rounded
the bend Of the road little way above
Both men saw the kiss and instructive
ly drew back. The doctor noted now
the telltae flush on his companions
face.
I'VE have surprised a romance" he
said as II be two unconscious figures
disappeared down the curvng stretch.
''Who is the MANI
''He is the one we have been talking
about"
FEEDER nodded. His cabin is just
below here on the hillside"
Good Lord!" calculated the doctor.
What an internal pity, What's his
name|
Hugh Stlres."
"Stires ?" the other repeated. "Stires?
HOW Ouu! lie stood moment, tap
ping his suit case with his stick Sud
denly he took the lawyers arm and
led him into the sidepath.
Come" he said, Il want to show
you something"
He led the way quickly to the Knob,
where be stopped, as much astonished
as bis companion. for he had known
nothing Of the statue. They read the
words chiseled on its base. The prod
igal SON. said Fielder
Now look at the name on the head
stone" said the physician
FEEDERS glance lifted from the stone
10 peer through the screening bushes
TO the cabin on the shelf below and
returned to the others face with quick
comprehension You thing
who could doubt 1t? 4 viii arise
and go unto my father The old mans