The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-03
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyright 1911, by Associated Lit


| erary Press
| High above them. on the mountain,
was the matched roof Of the inn.
| In one hour" Gregory said, rap
turously. Il shall see her"
| Morgan looked at him. enviously.
4 IF l we're as young al you and love
was waiting for me, I'd thank Inc
gods"
They rode for while in silence,
then Morgan asked. How in the
name OF all that's wonderful did that
lady OF yours manage TO follow this
way to the heights?"
Gregory explained eagerly. "Sho
was a little child in her mother >
arms There's a Observation-Disclosures
doesn't know why they came But
they took refuge in the inn. It was
and his wife. Mrs Harding made
herself necessary to them. and when
they died she took charge-'AnKel OF
the inn'-the natives call her"
She doctors them, and they have
great faith in her." he went on. "and
the food Ia famous--she has the art
OF making every meal q feast
That sounds promising. You may
live on love, Gregory, but / yearn Tor
the neshpots"
She'll give you such dinner
lChicken and omeiette and Coffee"
AZ they approached the little hos
telry, Morgan eyed 1t curiously. A girl
stood on the porch, shading her eyes
with her hand.
That's Mercedes said Gregory.
Morgan saw the girl run down to
Of her figurs-and tnen he saw her
face!
He swayed In his seat, recovered
himself. and managed to acknowledge
Gregory's radiant presentation.
All bushes and happiness the girl
greeted him. Shall we go into the
. garden? Mother Is there
don't mind" he stamrAered. I'M
brush up bit first and in spite OF
Gregorys protests he left them.
. Alone at last in his room on the
, first floor. he faced tho situation
Twenty years ago he had loved and
married Mary Harding. They had a
, few months of happiness. then. after
, the birth Of little Mercedes. had come
enlargement, separation.
He had never been sure how he had
failed. He was busy doctor. and she
had doubted his devotion. One day
. in whirl Of indignation. she had
gone. disappeared utterly.
He was a silent man. but he had
suffered. He had been SO unconscious
of neglect He had thought her a
child. pleased with playthings. and hi
had found his happiness In supply.
ing them.
And now they were to meet at las
in this remote South American coun
try. He had hoped 1t might be $,
whom Gregory had TOLD him OF tn,
girl up IN the mountHins near tn,
camp where the young man had beef
stationed. In the face Of her mother
: displeasura. Mercedes had promise,
. to marry her lover when he cam
|, back from his trip home. Morgan
. had followed the clew--and out Their
In the sunlight was Mary, the wit
Of his youth!
He stood up and saw through tn
: window. the rocky garden, rising ter
race above terrace. to a little summe
house that was set like shrine OIL
the pinnacle.
.. There were many people in tn
garden, pale, poor. sick people, an,
7 among them walked gracious figur
. "A woman In whose eyes shone tn
. tenderness which makes some womel
!; mothers of all helpless things.
= As~the poor creatures in the gar
den swayed toward her. she held GU
. her hands to them.
MY children" he heard her say
1T Is lata ! must rest. But TO
you there shall be little feast. her
= in tho garden. You are my guests
Good night"
!; She came down the terrace. fol
lowed by their murmurs of gratitude
And this serene and gracious sain
was his plant child-wife! Wha
marvel had been wrought in her
He felt that he could not meet he
before curious eyes. It would not
fair to her--to hint would not
fair to Mercedes.
II So a. she passed. he opened hi
lattice wide. Mary"
II Her eyes met his, and the colo
went out Of her face.
"You-here?"
II Eyes. came with Gregory.
thought ! recognized In Mercede
Harding u possibility OF hope"
And now that you are here
what2"
| Il want you in my life agai
| Mary"
II ITO play my little part? NJ
| Oliver. My days he. are fun Of In
forest. I cannot go back to be
| plaything."
You were never that"
II was never your comrade. You
companion. your helpmate. ! wante
to stand by your side. nShtink. M
to he thrust aside--
II She was naming with the thougf
Of her grievances; but .hs said oul
~ 4 lovo you!@