The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-29
1900
..But how, then--fefi ms wnar you

({s iFti. my y isIs ~ y
mo" said Kent, and with such alb
solute fiat finality that the others look
/ ed at him In blank silence.
The silence was broken by tre-
| lmendous sigh. All eyes turned TO
Preston Jax, who had risen and was
/ leaning against tho wall, his chin
/ jerking gaivanically.
"Wel1?" said Kent.
What about me?" asked the star
master miserably.
/ Kent's fingers twitched at his ear
lobe. We'll, what about your" he
repeated.
What are you going to do with
me?"
you? Oh! You go back to Irene"
said Kent. with his half smile. That
your sentence. II Mrs. Blair approves"
The astrologer drew a quick breath.
The light of a great relief softened
his hard little eyes A startled look
widened them as Marjorie Blair, her
own trouble forgotten for the mo-
ment, rose and went over to him. the
reflection of another's happiness shin
ing in her face and making it doubIy
lovely. A ring giinted in her out
stretched hand.
Take this" she said softly "for
your Irene. May you be very, very
happy together"
For the space Of Ave seconds Pres
ton Jax's chin was motionless. Then
a minor cataclysm convulsed II.
Speech emerged from that facial
quake, In a half-stutter, half-blubber,
wholly absurd and laughter provoking
and heart owing.
"wh-wh-whut'Il I say whut'll I
do. to thank you. ma'am? I-I-Tll
just tell you this. It's me for the
straight and narrow from now on.
And IL ever you or Professor Kent or
any of you want an Al, special chart
ed, ra-celestial star-reading for
self or friends. you--you--you
/ the hallway. and the door banged a
period to his emotion.
II think" said Chester Kent grave
ly. that lesson will last"
H As Marjorie Blair stood smiling,
soft-eyed, at the door whence the
overcome star-master had disappear
ed, Sedgwick started to pass. With
quick and unexpected tact, Alexander
Plair drew the sheriff and the lawyer
aside. giving to the young people their
moment She looked up at Sedgwick
with lifted eyebrows.
i Are you not going to speak to
me?" she said sorrowfully.
What Is there to say, except one
thing--and that I may not say now"
I mo. noi"~ she whispered, in at
fright. But say you forgive me-"
"Youi For what?"
For having believed. even for an
instant. what Father Blair said. that
you were the murderer"
Sedgwick smiled bravely. THAT Is
all past,
And youn think Of me at least
kindly -
"Ill think # you with every beat
Of my heart" he said passionately.
l Across her face passed the look Of
fairy wistfulness that was all her
own. No" she said, "it would be
hetter--for both of us--that you
should forget for the time
He leaned over her:
What shall assuage the unforgotten
And teach the unforgetful to for
get ?''
he quoted very low.
| And yet,"'she persisted. "it would
be easier. now that am going away"
Going away, For long,"
She nodded with compressed lips.
Sedrwick turned very white.
"Oh. don't look like that" she fall
tered II can't bear Il, Can't you
see that. after what has happened. /
must GOT / must have time to for
get There is SO much 10 forget
| Surely you can be patient--and trust"
1 Again he smiled AT her. with a cour-
age shining through his pain that
brought the quick tears to her eyes
YES ] can wait and trust--and
love" Again he leaned to her:
land think how she. far from me,
/ with like eyes
| Sees, through the untuneful Dough
1 the wingless skies,
I He drew her gaze to his own, held
II for the space of a heart beat, and