The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-07
BY MOLLY McMASTER.
Copyright, 1912. by the Associated
Literary Press

(Copyright 1912. by the Associateu
Literary Press.p
The Rev. Samuel Durand stroiied
lcisurely through the park il was
not often that the young minister hao
The time to stroll. but even minister's
find that all work and no play makes
a t.rcsome pilgrimage through me.
TIE park was still wearing Its win
ter garb vet there was that In the
air which suggested an early spring.
The Rev. Mr.. Durand expanded ms
massive chest and drew in draIts et
the fresh air. He realized then with
the blood coursIng through his veins
that he was thankful to his big corr
gregation for insisting on this much
needed rest.
HIS eyes glanced ahead through the
labyrinth of glistening trees ana the
, winding path below. A few yards
beyond. in the middle of that wide
path. lay long envelope, and when
the minister reached the spot ne
stopped and picked 1t up. There was
nc writing to indicate an owner and
the Rev Mr.. Durand turned search
irg glance about the immediate sicfn-
ity. Perhaps someone would even
then be returning to look for the lost
property.
Bot the park was deserted save> for
the sparrows and the little begging
squirrels that sat up with fore
paws against their breasts In mute APP
peal The minister's hand went deep
into his pocket and drew forth the
desired peanuts: three days in Central
Park had taught him that New York
squirrels were not the nntamed va
riety of the Western woods.
The Rev. Mr.. Durand stopped To
meet the demands OF the little cre;s-
hot .1oiH I'd nd
saint and sinner.
When HIS pockets were emptied his
mind returned to the legal-iooking
document he had picked up from the
path.
"A marriage license. Now what
man could be so careless as to lose
so precious d thing" For moment
the minister's eyes were wtstfui. III
the right girl had ever come into my
mine--I think would not let go the
paper In hurry.
He scanned the documnet for the
names of the couple.
"Letitia Larken and Harold Dwyer"
The minister repeated the last name
ard thoughtful line drew between
his eyes. He stopped still In the path
and probed his memory.
Harold Dryer? Where have l
seen Ali" He continued his walk.
but the puzzled frown only deepened.
ri married Harold Dwyer toto
Rose LanGa hNae--no faur--yeaES azo9
And during the remainder Of ms
walk back to the hotel the Rev. Mr..
Durand was lost In thought There
might easily be two Harold Dryers
and yet something told the minister
that il was not so in this case. he
suddenly felt as If his trip to the East,
his walk in the park. and in fact his
whole life had been preparation for
the finding of this marriage license.
Argument whispered to him that
Harold Dwyer may have lost h;s
FIRST. wife. bit wisdom told him that
such was not the case.
I'm an event. ! will take the IL
cense to the girl" he decided and
wondered why he sought the girl
rather than the man. Yet instinct
told him that the man could not be
trusted and that the girl was in need
of warning.
1t was toward the late afternoon
when the young minister made his
way to the home Of Letitia IArkin. !
that the girl would DO living in a
boarding house.
Yes: she did live In one OF those |
domiciles for the homeless in the big
city A slovenly but affable maid led |
the young minister into the front |
room with the Information that Miss
Larkin was engaged with the ladies'
guild. but that she would bring her
down from the top floor. Il
Lost in wonderment a. to why the !
parlors OF boarding houses invariably |
contained . plush album and n table |
With marble top tho minister did
not hear the Eoftentrance Of Letitia !
Earkin. When he did catch sight OF |
her he arose quickly to his feet with q !
quickly indrawn breath. He had not !
prepared himself for the big innocent |
eyes Lctitia or the demure smile |
on Letitia's lips or the smooth shin
Ing braids on I1etitia's head or in fact |
any Of the manifold charms that made !
up the entire L0tttia. He only looked !
at her and gripped himself the harder
because Of the pain he felt he was |
about TO tnflict.
She drew nearer and held out a |
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