The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-26
BY
WILLIAM
HAMILTON
OSBORNE

moment be looked up and exclaimed,
81 wouder II 1t is given to man 10 APP
preciate thoroughly the anticipation Of
motherhood the hours given 70 fash
ioning little garments Ike this, Yet
IL seems to me now that | could work
forever for He broke of abruptly,
quite overcome
Miriam was deeply touched.
feur. dgHr. rfIErc WITT De pftH-
~ of responsibility for you later on"
Then Shirley poked Der head in
through the door and called:
Mira m. the potatoes are burning"
Miriam left the room hastily. leaving
Laurie stroking the small garment
"A father OF child" he unused
"It's good to be fsther~-a good ia
Their" He dropped at the table and
buried his face In his arms. But when
be raised bis head again there were
tears In his eyes.
"A little child for Ine-and ! shot
Hargrares." he moaued
Miriam came back into the room. At
glance she realized what was going
on In his mind, She placed her hand
affectionately on his shoulder aud with
tenderness said:
Don't you think any more about
that, Laurie. You're new man now
Il haven't thought of ii for five
years. cried @Chailoucr ierceIy. u
haven't dared to think OF 1t! | haven't
had time to think of i'.' lie paused
Ma
But now | have got to think about
it. I'm going to be father" He
sighed Poor Hargraves, can see
him now as he put mp his arm"
Don't" Miriam pleaded. Forget
IT. DEAR
Il can't forget it, he returned.
TITS all before me now" He giared
into space ms a man might who wit
messed before his very eyes some con
fiict II can see il now-just as 1t hap
pened.'
He caught her arm roughly and
cried In a loud voice:
Miriam, Miriam. Listen. dear. /
can see 1t now--just as 1t happened
Can you stand it. dearT'
What is it," asked his young wife
trembling with horror.
Chailoner gripped her arm.
"a did not klll Richard Hargraves"
he cried in sudden Joy. No. did nor
kill him."
Miriam tried TO soothe him.
mo" evidently under great excite
ment. II did hot kin him. Five years
ago everything WAS muddled. Life
was muddle then. and on that night
at Cradlebaugh's everything was hazy.
But now it's as clear as dav. can
see it--I do see itr' He lifted his arm,
his forehnger crooked significantly.
IL shot
Yes" she said eagerly. "you shot
Il shot at Hargraves. but | did not
hit him. It's all come back. | can see
it now.r' And. pointing toward the
junction OF the side wall and the cell
Ing. he went on to explain: THE bui-
let lodged in the panel of the wall.
Hargrayes put up his urn like this. l
meant to kill him. and | shot. but l
didn't hit him. / toppied over In the
big chair He started toward the door.
i remember that It's all come back
IN flash"
Yet" she protested. you confessed"
Yes" he answered. Il tell you ev-
erything was muddleti-life was hazy.
] knew shot at him--l knew | shot
30 kill OF course thought that had
done it. but It's not so. tried TO do
1t. and them
She caught him wildly about the
body and cried Historically:
Laurie. are you sure"
al know, tell you" he answered.
Eyes and there's one that knows. It's
Pemmican."
He stopped aud looked at the small
dress. which through his excitement he
had held in his arm.
I'm going to be IA father" he went
on. and It's well that l didn't Kill
Hargrayes But | have got to prove
IT, The world must know that didn't
Kill him. Penmican will prove 1t for
me"
Miriam shook her head
You remember his testimony at the
trial, Laurie. Besides she added
softly. taking an old newspaper clip
ping from a snail drawer OF her desk
"Pemmican Is dead"
Dead Ills voice rang out In as
Constituent
She placed her finger on her lips,
why. he died III the county Jail not
long after I was tried" exclaimed
Challoner, who was now reading the
newspaper clipping. We'll. | never
killed Hargraves." He leaned over
and kissed a tiny bit Of ruffle I'm
going to prove IT for you and the little
one"
Laurie" insisted Miriam. "are yon
surc?'
Il was never surer or au5 thing in
my life than this" replied Challoner
II tell you. Il has uil come back to me
like cash. II was you. little one" be
said, bending once more over some
thing itaasiaary In his arua. u hat /
brought II back to me-
Miriam had watched him closely.
"yes, yes" she conceded, .'it is true:
can see it, know" and sobbing, |
dropped her head upon his shoulder.
ITO Be cor.iisAea-l