Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-07-21
BOOK 1.-THE ROOT.
CHAPTER Xxx.

shadow had fallen across her lie.
Every moment was crowded with the
work of preparing for her trip, except
the hours she could not refuse Stuart,
who had suddenly walked to the fact
that something beautiful was going out
of his life Every day he asked her
to play and sing for him or go for one
of their rambles over the hills. They
talked but little. He simply loved to
be alone with her.
Harriet watched him with keen joy,
and deep in her heart a secret hope
began to slowly grow.
The day she sailed he refused to go
with her to the pier.
why Jim, you must come with mel"
she protested.
No, 1 can't little pal. Sit down at
your piano now and sing my favorite
songs and I'll say goodbye here"
But why?" she pleaded.
I'm not quite sure how would be-
have In public"
Without q word she took off her
gloves, sat down at the piano and sung
In low tones of melting tenderness
When the last note died away, he rose
quietly, came to her side, and took her
hand.
II never knew, little girl, how my
life has grown into yours until I'm
about to lose you"
But you're not going to lose me.
Remember I'm coming back to sing for
you before thousands. And I'm going
to make you proud Of me-"
II couldn't know how deeply and
tenderly / love you, child, until this
moment when I'm about to say good
bye"
The little figure was very still. Her
eyes dropped and her lips trembled
pathetically. She knew that he had
said too much to mean a great deal.
He had spoken of his love for her as
a child" when long ago the child
had grown into the tragic figure of
woman who had learned to wait and
suffer in silence.
She tried to speak and her voice
failed. Her hand began to tremble In
his.
She turned and faced him with q
smile, pressing his hand. The cab was
at the door and her father calling from
below.
Goodbye, Jim," she said tenderly.
Goodbye to the dearest little chum
God ever sent to cheer a lonely unhap-
py mans soul"
A sob stilled his voice and she turn
ed her face away to hide her tears.
He still clung to her hand.
It's been a long time" he said hes
tatingly, since you've kissed me,
grille; just one for remembrance"
With quick movement she drew her
hand away and started with laugh
toward the door.
mo, Jim, I'm afraid I'm getting too
old for that now"
He made no reply but stepped to her
side and grasped her hand.
Then again, goodbye"
Goodbye"
He pressed her hand to his lips.
The slender body quivered and her
face flushed scarlet. She hurried down
the steps to the cab, turned and threw
him a kiss.
He watched the cab roll down Fourth
street toward the pier while great
wave of loneliness overwhelmed him.
He slowly climbed the stairs toward
his room, and passed the door of Har-
riets on the way. 1t was open and
he looked in expecting her to appear
suddenly before him with a smile on
her serene little face. He noted how
neat and tidy she had left her nest;
not a sign of confusion, the floor swept
clean, everything in its place and the
bed made with scrupulous care. The
whole place breathed the perfume of
her sunny character.
On the mantel he saw a love letter
she had written to her father.
How thoughtful of the little dar-
ing" he exclaimed. God knows he'll
need it tonight"
He hurried to his own room with the
hope that she might have left one for
him. He searched his mantel and bu-
reau in vain and had just given up
with a sigh when his eyes rested on
card fastened over the old-fashioned
crate in the fire place. His hand
trembled as he read it:
Dear jim:
Il shall miss you dreadfully. in the
strange world beyond the seas. When
you sit here and look into your fire l
hope you'll see the face of your little
pal in the picture sometimes
Harriet"
He kissed the card and placed 1t in
his pocket book.
At night the doctor was not at home.
He raped on his door next morning
and got no answer.
The girl said he had spent the night
out-she didn't know where.
AS Stuart was about to leave for his
office the doctor entered. His blood
shot eyes were sunken deep behind his
brows, his face haggard and his shoul-
ders dropped. Stuart knew he had
tramped the streets all night in STU
por of hopeless misery.
He stared at the young lawyer as
if he didn't recognize him and then
said feebly
Don't go yet, my boy, wait few
moments 1 just want to know that
you're here"
Stuart took his outstretched hand
and led him into the library. Il know
why you tramped the streets; the old
house is very lonely"
The father placed his hand on his
head, exclaiming:
Il never knew what loneliness meant
before!" The big hand fell in ges-
ture of despair. It's dark and cold
I'm slipping down into a bottomless
pit There's not a soul in heaven OF
earth or he'll to whom l can cry for
help or pity"
Stuart pressed his hand.
II understand. I'm younger than