Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-02-06

bent her forehead 70 his hands as the,
claSped her own.
The prodigal is yourself" she said
i modelled Il once before when you
came back 10 him. in the time you have
forgotten. But ! destroyed st~-the
words were very low now-"ou my
wedding day"
His hands released hers. and. looking
up, she saw. even 10 the moonlight.
that with the last word his face had
gone CHASTITY white. At the sight timid-
lty, maidenly reserve. fell. and an the
woman iu her rushed uppcrmost She
lifted her arms and clasped his face.
Hugh" she cried, cant you remem-
ber7 Don't YOU understand? Think
i was blind, dear. blind A white
bandage was across my eyes. and you
came 10 me in shaded room Why
did you come TO mef"
a spark seemed TO dart through his
brain like the prickling discharge from
Leyden Jar. He saw himself stand
ing, facing q figure with bandaged
eyes. lie saw the bandage torn OF.
felt that yielding body In his arms
heard a voice - her voice - crying.
Hugh, Hugh! My husbandr' and felt
those lips pressed 10 his own In the
tense air Of a darkened room.
A cry broke from his lips: yes. yes.
l remember Jessica. my wife,~ His
arms went round her. and. with a little
sob. she nestled close 20 him on the
doorstep.
That hour on the mountain side I'M
der the stars had left Harry possessed
OF a melee OF perplexiug emotions
Dreaming aud waking Jesslca's face
hung before his eyes. her voice sound
Cd In his ear. The future held no long.
or any doubt; Il held only her. Where
was that future TO be- Back I'm the
city 10 which his painful curiosity had
SO lately driven him? This lay no
longer IN his own choice. II was for
her 10 decide Eow-Jessica. his wife.
He looked up transdxed. for she
stood there before him ankle deep I'm a
brown whirlwind Of leaves from a
frost stung oak. her hand TO her cheek
In an adorable gesture that he knew
her lips parted and eager.
Il wanted so 10 find you" she said
Il have so many. many things 10 say"
1T IS all wonderfully strange and
new" he said. 1T is as though I had
rubbed Aladdin's lamp and suddenly
had my hearts desire. How could ]
have thrown my pearl awayT'
ave are not 10 think OF that" she
protested. never. never any more"
You are right" he rejoined cheer
fully. 1T is what is 10 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 aspens did 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
~ that nights experiences, the fear
that had held him as he gazed at her
portrait In tire library. the secret OF
the Korean desk that had solaced his
misery aud sent him back TO the IA
Their he was not 10 see.
at mention OF the viii she threw out
her hand with a passionate gesture.
The money is not miner she cried.
1T is yours. He intended TO change
It, He told me so the day he dledl
oh. If you think r.
mo. no." he 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 notI"
She looked up, smiling. and slowly
shook her head. "You are a blind
guesser." she said. Don't you think
/ know what is ia your mind? Not
Aniston, Hugh. Some time, but not
now-not yet II is nearer than that"
His eyes flowed into hers. You I'M
derstand- Yes, 1t is here. This Is
where | must finish my fight first.
Yesterday would have left Smoky
mountain forever because you were
here Now
Il will help you" she said. "An
the world besides counts nothing II
only we are together. / could live in
a cabin here on the mountain always.
Ia forest OF Arden, till / grow old
N-a@ hcAAAAab uul tAAdA-dnu
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 10
each other nowl There is no one else
10 consider. is there? / want to be to
you what haven't been-to bear
things with you and help you!"
He kissed her eyes and hair. "You
have helped. you do help me. JessIcag'
he urged But am jealous for your
love II must not be offended The
town OF Smoky Mountain must not
sneer-and II would sheer now"
Let itw she exclaimed resentfully.
CAS- IL would carer
But | would care" he said softly.
81 want to climb q little higher fsrst"
She was silent moment. her fingers
twisting the fallen leaves. "You don't
want them to know that ! am your
wifef"