The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-17
BY MARTHA MeCULLOCH-W Will
LtAMS.

Copyright, 1911. by the Associated
Literary Press,)
What's DOING" Clay asked. as he
stepped from the dining room out on
the hotel piazza.
Lights were winking up and down
the towns hiIly street as glow worms
were wiuking In the gardens round
about A little wind blowing souther-
ly, brought the freshness of the river.
and the scent OF pIoushed earth from
the cornhelds IN the bottoms beyond.
Clay had fed well, therefore his moon
was compliment. Not SO Mason. who
stood in wait for him. Discomfort
lined his face even more than common
"Nothings doing You can bet on
that here always. and anyhow" Ma
son answered souriy "Deadest town
this side the pianets-thats the size
OF Ashmore-----''
"Yet-you stick to it" Clay inter
rupted.
Mason laughed a hard laugh Il
have to stand what amounts To death
in living after he IS dead he said very
low Haven't they told you about
Grandad? Just breathing lump he
Ia. Ninety-iive II he's u day-he wont
let Us see the record. Almost blind.
deaf as r post, belfast now fer seven
years yet with the appetite OF coal
HEAVIER keeps him alive. the doctors
say-that and his grip--on life and his
money
%! l begin to understand. - Clay
interjected.
Mason ran on eagerly: ! shouldn't
grudge bin life--to hundred and far
beyond Tiff he had any sort Of con-
sideration for anybody but himself.
Keeps me tied to his chairman virtual
X This a.
except 10 go to the postofhee and the
bank. in a month. And / had TO lie T.
get out now. Told him there Was a
chance OF getting big interest 81 gilt
edged short-tine loRn---it was the tirst
thing l could think OF. after / got your
note"
Il shouldn't have written not If IA
known, This is my first time here"
Clay muttered eonfusedIy
Mason stopped him with an eager
gesture. do you grudge water 90 -
man dying of thirst" he asked AN
other lie viii square me-Ive only to
say, the collateral Was fshy. and
Grandad will pat ms on the back.
Meantime, let's be moving. | want 10
show you-say! you'll help in geod
deed 7''
Unless there's girl in IT," Clay an
swered chuckiing. a petticoat al
WAYS scares Ine stiT.'
We know you're lying. Jack" Ma
son flung back
They were going with long strides
Up the main street. Al the third
corner Mason turned sharply about
saying. Wait, / mustn't startle
! Elsie"
Next breath Clay heard him whts-
/ tie softly in a thick shruobery just
inside a ragged garden.
There was no answering sound but
! In half a minute. Mason was back.
With u slim biaca -eiad shape besiao
him.
Get your carl KNOW 1t is in tho
/ garage--never mind how--and meet
us a block from here" Mason said
breathiessly. You're going to run
away with us across the State line
and be best man tai our wedding.
It's the only chancc for us-.you re
safe and discreet-fr anybody else
! knew II would ruin us"
Tell me how? I go into nothing
l.blindfold" Clay said almost stubborn
~, in Mason's hushed Key.
Mason flung up hrs hand crying
freful9 Man don't potter, Every
minute counts. We Must he married
and back in place long before mid
I highland there's run of twenty
miles each way"
What's the use or running =" Clay
persisted doggedy.
Mason clutched him feVerishlv
ITO save the fortune I'm shaving in
/ prison for he said 'Grandad means
to leave It in his VIII that / am to
marry the girl he has chosen for me.
4 obviously, If ! turn cut to be already
married to somebody else, that pro-
vision Is void without hurting the
will otherwise.
I utes," Clay said, running away But
as he turned the next corner he
Stacked to a slow walk asking HIM
self if he were not doing wrong
An hour or so later. he had no
such doubt, Elsie's radiant eyes, her
smiling mouth. treasured him. She
was worth lot of risk, Clay de-
cided He felt chivalrous pity for
her and was ready ID go all lengths
to help her. Mason had told him
| briefly, their love story--it was a
rustic Montague and Capulet affair
her people the Ens-ys. had been at
! odds with the Masons time out Of
mind. Then Grandad had all a
miser's instructive hatred OF unsuc-
cess for them. Their fortunes had
! fallen until Elsie went out sewing
! by an irony of fate she was even
| then. making fine white lacy things,
! OF the very newest shapes and pat
I terms, for Flora Mcleod, the girl
/ Grandad approved
! No doubt he would have insisted
upon the marriage. except for his
! determination to keep his grandson
/ beside him, Flora came dutifully
4 once a week to call on hinE-though
! he could neither see, nor hear her. he
/ knew the feel OF her hand. and ate
with enormous relish the good things
she fetched him.
Lucky, me hoy--that's what you
! are" he mumbled toothlessly as he
gulped the dainties Beauty fades
but cooking stays by a woman to
/ the end"
Clay came home AT almost reckless
! speed, deposited bride and groom in
their several places. and tried to sleep
aftefwaEd. But the effort was vain