The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-17
HIS AFFINITY
By LAWRENCE ALTERED CLAY
Copyright. 1910. by Associated Literary Pr

dale He bachelor and forty years old. Ono
day he was driving through the streets Of the town
OF Glen Hope, thirty miles from home when he
woman standing at her gate. Mr.. Jacson pulled
up ms horse and gazed her In astonisalment. She
returned the gaze with OF Indignation. He drove
on after a moment. hitched his horse and then
Lady permit to hope that you are widow"
business with me?"
Il have. win return in half an hour"
Mf, jackson went to the store and made
inquiries He told that the woman was the widow
out words of praise could be spoken of her.
IN haf an hour he knocked the widows door,
woman has an affinty?"
IL don't understand you"
Ihere is some one in this world for you and
some one for me. knew you were for me as soon
as clapped eyes you. You are my affinity we
We're bound 10 meet. 1t has taken years and years,
0u NV we are face to face at last Widow -"
son from the house and told him to take the rapid
transit line In leaving. Without of protest
ne went Three days later she answered a mock
ne Went Three days later she answered a knock
on tue aoor TO md the bowling and smiling Mr. Jack
said: '''''' MN ii'' ana no
va, widow, hn, am lone man-you lone
You nave about three thousand dollars worth Of
PROPERTY have the same My hair would be gray
IL II didn't use dye-yours would be the same.
h squiht 70 my left eye-you have You
nave slight limp from falling down cellar stairs
prooaoly--mne was. caused the same way. Don't
you see the points OF resemblance"
Mr. jackson went out OF doors again. and was
in HIS
The widow was made all through. The only eonso-
lauon she had that he hadn't mentioned her
few neighbors were in the secret She looked upon
inc man as half crazy but meant It when threat
ened him.
In two days Mr.. Jackson returned He got no
Iarther than the doorstep this time. but he stood
theTe with hat OF and said;
Widow can no more help 1t than you could
nave helped having whooping-eough when you a
mat You are my affinity. and the harder love you
h - ah me. out Fate You have glass eys-so
The widow walked across the street to the house
OF the constable and had Mr.. Jackson arrested. He
was taken before justice OF the peace and nned
VIZ. he oheerfuy handed over the money and
said TO his honor and the others:
Gentlemen make mistake. I'm neither crazy
nor nuisance, am simply victim OF Fate. Mrs
eTer made my eap a bsai shall marry her. No law
on let the widow alone may and your
orally believed that would end it e'A-
1t did-for week. Then came Mr. Jaokson.s
knock at the door. wasn't opened to him. but from,
second floor window was commanded TO leave
Back again my dear widow. you see." 10 re-
piled rs he raised his hat. 81 wanted 10 keep away
put rate was too strong for me. You magnet
h na1 draws want 70 prove to you that
honorable , man and then want to tell you that L
am fully determined to marry YOU
me widow appealed to passerby and Mr. Jack
whole town had now become interested. II was
known who he was. and that his head was level but
mas was a queer way OF making love.
This time | shall give ten days In the county
JAIN" said his honor after the widow had sworn
that enc was being annoyed
With pleasure. Judge" the reply, MANY @
shah make no kick. respect the widow Lester
IN the highest also love her In the most honorabls
way 1t Is Fate She Is my affinity"
The next time it may be thirty~ was the warn.
ing as the prisoner was removed TO Jail
Within an hour he had provided himself with
wriuig material and was writing the history
no When finished he sent it the Widow Lester.
that he was martyr for her dear sake He recon-
mended certain books for her reading during her
He recommended something more efncacious than
Paris green for potato bugs. Not two hours a day
pas1ea that messenger from the jail knock
- WILLOWS Hrst thought to send everything
She read and looked grim. Then she read and felt
q secret sympathy. Then she real sorry that
jail He hadn't said thing out OF the way He
had simply been rather pain-spoken
Mr.. jackson hadn't served half his sentence
not to know il In addition to his snnns, rS me-
laSis ana poems he began sending a OF diary,
u O'Clock A. M-Awoke TO think Of NV charming
- A Nam suffering for the dear widow but
ii A. MI only the dear %oman Sepla sen
me little note in answer. but expect it II
'Noon-only boiled cabbage and ar mussy PORK for
dinner but am not complaining / trust that my
When Mr.. Jacksons sentence had expired the 1ai,er
warned him that he had better make for his home
He made for the Widow Testers The widow had
on her Sunday dress and looking as neat a. q
pin When the knock came at the door was LISTEN
ing for it. 1t MONDAY and she had the table
set and a boiled dinner ready Mr.. Jackson was
invited In He was invited to take the head OF the
table The conversation general until the meal
was finished Then he produced and read poem
of thirty verses 1t affected the widow, there
were tears standing in her eyes she asked;
And now what do YOU by affinity I don't
know what the word signifies"
Easy as easy, my dear. Certain people soul
mates We are, for instance Fate decreed when
We were born that we should meet and love and
marry.
But married Mr. Lester. and you never mar
rted at ALL
THAT was only that we might love the more
when did meet"
La but it's all curous."
But your heart tells you something doesn't it,"
II guess so. since you went jail They all
say you a good man"
None better. affinity. Let your heart keep right
believing it."
At that moment the constable knocked a the
and asked Mrs Lester:
Want him arrested jailed again. ma'am?n
"Oh, Lord. nor she replied. Why, / expect Iva
got to marry him get my clothes
readyl"
ILL.,