The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1916-10-06

lanU, My IAtner mas given me the
rough memoranda OF HIS plans. shalt
work them out In deiail--if possible to
perfection. They viii be offered In
due course 10 the government. hope
that even now may serve my coun-
try"
Il know you will" The old fire
flashed into her voice but she did not
look NJ him, she felt the piercing
eyes on her face; they seemed to reach
the tnnerm0St thought In her, They
sIenced an empty phrase that she was
forcing TO her lips.
Perhaps am disturbing you" be
said abruptly. "You are writing let.
tersT'
Yea"
"ro whom"
She looked up with a touch of fierce
defiance.
Have you right 10 ASK
81 don't know am afraid"
"Of whom-~of whatT'
"Of you--of my happiness
She was silent an instant. battling
with weakness.
The letter Is 10 you, Richard"
May | read itT'
Not now"
He took II from her. and she did not
resist The roughness In his voice and
manner shook her AS no gentleness, no
pleading could have done. This man
was Indeed afraid, and this fear. linked
with that great strength OF purpose,
was AZ once terrible and pathetic She
did not move, and he read the letter TO
the end In silence. Then he tore II de-
liberately across and across. and the
pieces tiuttered 10 the ground.
~ know all that--l guessed H." he
said brutally. Yet out there ON the
plateau you told me that you loved
me"
She rose and faced him.
IL do love you" she said firmly. 81
am not ashamed 10 tell you so--eyen
now, for love like mine cannot hurt
you. But In those days II was all dir.
ferent. believed that we were equals
that we were two outcasts who had
erred not meanly or wiekedly. but
recklessly, aud that we weres fghting
our way back 10 the thing we had lost.
fon were my comrade In exile, and I
was yours That was what believed
But Il was not true. You had lost
nothlng-and now your exile Is over"
And SO you meant to desert me3
Had fate not brought me back here.
should have had TO hunt the world over
for you.'
II thought that you would under
stand-tha, II was Just"
What? That when I was dying
hunted and friendieSs, veritahle
worthless scamp, rs you believed, you
! condescended 10 love me. to 80 forward
shoulder 10 shoulder with me and make
life worth living. Now that have
come Tito my own, that appear more
worthy ot happiness, | am to be left to
march the desert alone. Is that JUS
ticeY
Richard"
Haven't had enough OF the desert
haven't you had enough ? IL you leave
ME now" His voice sieadled He
smiled wryly. I'm not threatening,
dear Ry this time have learned your
lesson there shan't be any more throw
Ing down OF weapons Whatever hap
pens--whcther you stand by me or not
~ shall SO on. But II will be hard
going oia---and II might have been a
glory"
she turned 80 him with gesture Of
helpless pain,
Richard my dear--don't you IN
derstand9 II Is fear Of dimmtng that
glory that drives me away from you.
What am I? What should be 20 you?
4 drag---s heavy burden Even IL /
would cannot SO back into the old
lie, The world has passed Judgment
on the woman was-~thc doors are
shut against her, Only insignificant
little Gabrielle Smith can 70 her way
( In peace"
I Il care nothing Tor the worlds judc.
I meut," he interrupted quietly No
( 10 you. II there is anything behind
,!owe closed doors wot;h having
which douht--we shall batter them
IN Ard II IL not 10 the woman who
was that I ana speaking 40 not ask
her to 30 back anywhere. | ask her TO
70 on with the lire which We began to.