Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-02-26


Shirley and then added quickly. with
a blush. Good for Voar'
"Laurie's in business for himself"
Miriam presently informed her.
Yes" answered Challoner enthusi-
astically. I've got bit OF a reputa-
\ ton for honesty now. People that
want an honest job done come 10 me-
Your begin TO think I'm suffering from
| exaggerated ego" he finished. With a
smile
Well" said Miriam In justification.
amy man who saves $500 I'm so short
a time has a right TO blow his own
horn"
Il believe IN giving praise where IL
is due" protested her husband 1T
| was you. my dear. who saved it."
"If' returned Miriam deprecatingiy.
Yes. through privation." said Chal-
| loner
Miriam sighed with Joy. II was good
TO have some one appreciate the strug-
gle
Il won't deny" presently she said.
with a smile, that il was rather try
ing at times. but II was work Of love.
and we've encceeded."
1 Shirley sprang TO her feet
| Lawrence Challoner. I'm going to
| kiss you You're the kind OF a man
I'm looking fort' And lmpulsively she
made good her word. I'm proud OF
/ you" she went on. You're the real
thing; you're a successr
Laurie drew his wife closer TO him.
They are like a pair OF doves" said
Shirley TO herself; then aloud. starting
90 the door. Miriam. I'm going to tx
up FOR dinner. hope we're going to
have a dozen courses. I'm starved"
When the door closed Miriam rose
and started for the kitchen.
Miriam. girl" said Challoner gen
tly. what have you been hiding from
l me for the past few weeks2'
| Hiding
! He pointed toward the closet
What have you been putting away
there every night FOR the last few
weeks? What is IN that closet nowT"
Miriam hesitated She asked trem-
bHngly:
DO YOU really want 70 known
Yes" he answered I'm the same tone
Miriam stepped TO the closet. FUN
4
turning. thrust something into bis
hands
There" she said. blushing.
Challoner held IL up. looked at Il
moment and dnally said. with Just a
tinge Of suspicion Ga bls voice:
This tiny drcss-whatg' He looked
az his wife stupidity. and after a time
he added: "Why. Miriam. you never
told me AIlitue child for you and
meT''
Yes. laurie" she whispered softly.
Acting upon impulse be cuddled the
garment down into the crook OF his
arm aud held IL there.
"A child-for me-" he unused. After
a moment he looked up and exclaimed.
II wonder n % is given 10 man 20 ap-
preciate thoroughly the anticipation OF
motherhood hours given 20 fash
ioning little garments ike this. Yet
IL seems 10 me now that I could work
forever for lie broke or abruptly.
quite overcome
Miriam was deeply touched.
Never feaT. dear. there win be plcu-
~ OF responsibility FOR you later on"
Then Shirley poked her head in
through the door aud called;
Miriam. the potatoes arc burning
Miriam left the room hastily. leaving
Laurie stroking the small garment
"a father OF a child"' he mused
Its good 10 be n father-a good Ia
Their" lie dropped at the table and
buried his face IN his arms But when
he raised his head again there we're
tears In bis eyes.
a little child for me-and I shot
Hargroves." he moaucd
Miriam came back into the room. At
glance she realized what was going
on IN his mind. She placed her hand
aTectiouately on his shoulder and with
tenderness said;
Don't YOU think any more about
that. Laurie. You're new man now"
Il haven't thought OF IL for i've
years. cried Chalioner dercely. Il
haven't dared TO think OF Il. I haven't
had time 10 think OF it, lie paused
moment. then suddenly went on:
"But now ] have got 10 think about
IT, I'm going TO be father" lie
sighed. Poor Hargraves. can see
him now as he put up his arm"
"Don'tr Miriam pleaded. Forget
it. dearr'
Il can't forget it, he returned.
Its all before me now" He glared
into space as man might who wit
messed before his very eyes some con-
fiict. II can see IL now-Just as 1t hap
penedr
He caught her arm roughly and
/ cried Ia a loud voice;
| Miriam. Miriam. Listen. dear.
can see 1t now-just as IT happened!
| Can you stand II. dearT'
What is itg" asked his young wife
trembling with horror.
| Challoner gripped her arm.
II did not Kill Richard HargravesT
he cried in sudden Joy. No, | did not
! XIII himr'
Miriam tried 10 soOthe him.
NO" evidently under great excite
ment. Il did not kill him. Five years
ago everything was muddled. Lie
was a muddle then. and on that night
i