The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-06

take 1t so haro. Let them question
Ill know how to keep from exposing
you. But l do want to belong to some
body, and after I've been here a
while, and you begin to like me, I'll
tell you everything. l knew the Jo-
sephine Derry that you deserted-she
raised me, and know she loved you
to the end. Didn't you ever care for
her, not even at the first, when you
got her to keep your marriage secret
until you could speak to your father
face to face? You must have loved
her then. And she's the best friend
l ever had. Since she died I've wan
dered-and-and I want home"
The long loneliness of years found
expression In her eager voice and
pleading eyes, but he was too en-.
crossed with his own misfortunes to
heed her emotion. Didn't l go back
to Springleld?" he cried out. "Of
course l did. I made Inquiries for
her; that's why went back-to find
out what had become of her. I'd been
gone only three years, yes, only three
years, but, good heavens, how I had
suffered! I was so changed that no
body knew me-" He paused. appalled,
at the recollection. 81 have always
had terrible capacity for suffering.
tell you. 1t was my duty to 20 back
to find her, and I went back. would
have acknowledged her as my wife. I
would have lived with her. I'd have
done right by her, though it had killed
me. Can say more than that?"
II am glad you went back" said
Fran softly. "She never knew it.
am so glad that you did-even that"
Yes. / did 60 back" he said, more
firmly. "But she was gone. tell
you all this because you say she was
your best friend"
"A while ago you asked me who I
am-and what"
1T doesn't matter" he interjected.
You were her friend; that is all I
care to know. ! went back to Spring.
field, after three years-but she was
gone. ! was told that her uncle had
cast her off, and she had disappeared.
1t seems that she'd made friends
with class of people who were not
who were not-respectable."
F'ran's eyes shone brightly. "Oh,
they were not" she agreed, "they
were not at all what you would call
respectable. They were not relig.
ious."
$50 was told" he resumed, a little
uncertainty. There was no way for
me to find her."
Herr" cried Fran; "you keep on
saying her. Do you mean-r
he hesitated. "She had chosen her
part-to live with those people, left
her to lead the life that pleased her.
That's why ! never went back to
springfield again. I've taken up NV
lie IN my own way, and left her-your
friend"
!. YES, call her that" cried Fran.
holding up her head. 7T am proud or
that title. l glory.in 1t. And in this
house."
Il have made my offer," he inter.
rupted decidedly. 'Ill provide for you
~~-' "AASAO OuI AZ Iulo house.
Fran regarded him with somber in.
tensity. 1--we asked for a home with
you on the grounds that your wife
was my best friend In all the world.
and because / am homeless. You re.
fuse. / suppose that's natural. I have
to guess at your feelings because I
haven't been raised among respect.
able people,. I'm sorry you don't like
1t, but you're going to provide for me
right here. For girl, I'm pretty in.
dependent; folks that don't like me
are welcome to all the enjoyment they
get out Of their dislike. I'm here to
stay. Suppose you look on me as a
sort OF GUNNER crop. I enjoyed hear.
ing you sing, tonight
1--WE reap what we SOW,
We reap what we SOW
/ see you remember"
He shuddered at her mockine holy
things. Hush! What are you saw.
ing? The past is cut of from my life.
l have been pardoned, and / will not
have anybody forcing that past upon
me-"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)