The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-01


, when the sound Of his voice, grave.
low pitched. caused her 10 turn.
Now. then let's have the whole
truth from your own lips"
A qusverinx fear lest he should
penetrate ner heart made Marcia
Curewe brave. There's only one
thing to say. Mr.. chclwick, and rye
already said Ii. have gives my
promise to take this class In the high
back"
Has any one been disrespcctful---
hurt your %feelings--hsre'?" he de.
hmanded. ignoring her last words COM
pleteiy fou must not hesitate to
pc candid with me" He paused.
Never, Nj. Cheiwtck." she replied
a .a Every one has been more
than kind--too kind. II breaks my
heart 70 have to say good-hy. i've
felt a. y this were reaily hones. You
ought to understand this, sir--a giri
In my position can't choose the soft
places All through life; shs must ret
out and battle
But when she needn't7" he per-
ststeds When
Theirs are many ways OF looking at
a thing Mr.. chelwtck. havs nay
own IDEAS Of indsp4ndence--And /
could not think Of accepting . favor"
don't fAkA that yiaw of Il, Miss
Marcia You would be the one TO
confer the favor. BY your sweetness
ana 8eedHe6ss you have completely
captivated my children. Won't you
try to zee Il my way, ana reconsider ?''
The Mite EoveYness shook her head.
I'm sorry" she said.
Chelwick crossed his hands at hiA
back and took several impatient turns
stss
puistveiy, he lifted the small. cold
hand that hung at her side and
crushed X In his palm.
Don't go." he begged.
"We--can't do without you.
Marcia"
The governesz caught her breath
with q little. imperceptibie jerk.
The house would be wilderness
with you gone"
Marcia's heart stood stiIi.
Things would 20 all to rack. t.
can't. you see ?" His warm breath
famed her cheek.
She turned and looked at him. draw
ting her trembling hand out OF his
clasp. III was sure you needed
me So"
Need you! Good heavens. child.
We simply can't get along with you
gone. You've made our sunshine 10
long that~-oh. well. It's out OF thc
question. that's ALL"
Yet / fear I must" The girls
voice held out yaliantiy.
And observation-disclosures an end
of its- The peculiar. mastery ring
vas In his tone, and Marcia shook
under 1t. But she caught herself
quickly together.
There WAS a tense moment of
silence. Again he took her hand.
this time In both his own. MY
children need you more than any
body In the world right now. Marcia.
They've never known any real
died. You--you understand what
II ID that l mean, do you T,nt3"
His tone vtbratsd through the little
gpvernea4ss heart like 4 strain OK ex-
quisite music. Her lids dropped. and
she waited for the words he would
speak next
His eager glance devoured her face.
you will stay. Marcia"
She looked AZ him mutely. An frfs
slant of seif-revelation encompassed
him. And then, all At once. some
thing that was In his eyes. some
thing that. though no language ol
words spoke, told her the truth. and
an inward JOY touched her features
with strange radiance.
sMarcia.''
She met his eyes frankly.
stay for my sake: because--I love
You. and want you for my wife,
Her trembling hands sought one
another. Her shy glance quivered.
Chelwick took an eager step forward,
then paused tentatively.
Marcia held out her hands. and ne
gathered her, unresisting. close TO his
heart.