Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-17
RICHMOND TIMESDISPATCH SUNDAY, DECEMBER II, 1916

10 think it could amount TO more than
THE. But always WAS hopeful, ir I
cared about anything He ga, down.
eelapsins into Silence and thoughtfu1.
ness. Christopher was silent. too for
The good reason that he knew not
what TO say. He WAS at q loss to UNI
acrstand his employers meaning.
though, if the American had been q
eoarser type OF man. he might have
sprung TO some conclusion. But soon
Hardness began again. "As a matte,
Of fact. sir. It's your advice want to
dsk. ~ you'll permit me-"
Christopher answered that he would
be glad 20 give it, or to be OF use: and
he spoke sincerely.
ITS mighty delicate matter" tbs
American went on; "a matter ]
wouldn't have any call TO talk about,
If could see my way clear 10 act.
iSut don't, That's just it. I'm r plain
business man. what's that saying
about fools rushing in where angels
would be afraid to show their noses.
or something kind of like that? Well.
feel that way right now. Bu, you're
different. I don't know as I'm putting
II SOS YOU can understand but what
! see about YOU is. that you've lived
Now. never lived-till ! got on board
the Baltic less than four weeks ago
knew what business was. and how
10 get along in the world. and my
duty TO my wife and my neighbors;
but hadn't lived. didn't realize
what il WAS to be really alive. Or to
live. But l do now. I've learned In
less than four weeks what ! hadn't up
till then In thirty-three years. and
probably shouldn't for thirty-three
more yssrs--or Till the day Of my
death. Yes. sir. I should just have
leaf or a
old nut II it hadn't been for that bless
ed girl. That's what I've Got 10 thank
her for-lifr.'
Christopher did not speak. What
could he eay--yet: But there was
stealing into his puzzled brain q sliin-
mer OF light. Not more than 4 FAINT
Slimmer; but it MAS enough to keep
him from mtsund erstandins the man
with name to which nothing worth
happening could ever possibly happen
do YOU take in my meaning. sir
asked Hardness. Because. II you 40
it'll he easier for me TO go on.
"I-well-I suppose you've unior-
tunatsly fallen In love with Miss
Eourma palrymple," blurted out
christopher, whose thoughts OF inc
situation were more delicate than his
words.
UNFORTUNATELY III love" repeated
darkness. in shocked way. Oh.
then I've been fool enough 20 mix
things ND SO YOU can't see. atIet AL
Why, it's the most fortunate thihS
ever happened to me. It's IKE pe'hE
shut MP In kind Of dark cell FOR
thi-ty-threc years and then having
an angel from heaven ny down to let
YOU out. Once you're out. YOU know,
nothing can put You where YOU were
before because, when YOU go BACK lnto
the cell, ii won't be dark or inus.y amy
more. but fall OF all the glory you So"
when you were outside. Ut you've So'
anything in you 1T all. you're bound TO
take that much with you. Maybe you
think I'm crazy. talking like this.
Mr. Race, but have to explain. Md
il isn't as il you We're stranger
We're been acquainted mighty hhorl
while. as time goes: but you're right
in This chapter where the angel comes
in
"'rhe missing chapter" christonher
multered more to himself than the
other; but Hardness heard. and an
swcred--
81 see wha, you're thinking about
said he You think this is going to
he tic missing chapter i'll my lif"
That--that my frientis-that my wife
won't even know anything about it,"
Il suppose that is VIVA, was in my
head" Chris;cph.r confessed
We'll. You're right, sir, IN way.
Wen call il the missing chapter. Itll
be that for the other pcople-thc ones
who wouldn't be able to understand
il If they were told. and might get
thoughts Ia rather fall dead right here
than any one either near me or IA:
on--should have about an angel. You
for instance, wouldn't have known
there could he srch an angel Oh Garth.
" You hadn't seen her and been with
her. would YOU, now"
mo" said Christopher. shes Won
dcrful. You're certainly 20 he ex-
cused, Mr.. darkness.
II guess ] wouldn't have been c..
cusable II hadn't loved her. because
I'd have been block OF wood" the
little man retorted. almost indignantly.
'Bui what about her" Christopher
rentured. "ForSive mr--ycu asked
to make her unhappy"
II Don't quite catch your meaning"
darkness was looking honestly be-
wiidered
II mean, il she has learned TO
care
lo---Oh oh, | can't even say the word
in connection like that She feels
kindly towards me. ! know. and the
Lord knows how good TO me shes Teen
As for me. why. YOU don't think-no
OF course YOU don't thirk-thi,t ID
have been worm enough, green idio.
enough. beast enough to speak ;ha,
same word to he:' about myself"
If ! could hay" thought it for M
instant. ! apologize" said Christopher.
Thank you. sir. You're y white
nan. | know you were. That's why
i've turned TO YOU: for that reason.
and because, as said. you've lived.
you've felt, III Your years. though
II eyre not so mar! as niar. love
that girl--ycs tut even IL There
weren't Mrs. darkness I wouldn't
lave told Miss Nourna. amy more
tnan = conman man like me could
toll queen he was in love with her
and would like TO hava he: for his
VIE Her kind ism for my kind And,
besides, she loves somebody: ! guess :,
mighty different SOFT % man from mo-
Size didn't say II.Hthirs abou him
h":se.f. but her aunt tn:d me
Is thai rha- she W.: TALKING of
th.2 afternoon" inquired Ch.istoDhcr.
recalling rne IN! stcrious conversation
which had seemed 10 crush tho life
out o! the American.
NY goodness. no. She told lie on
shipboard.''
Then what did YOU expect from .his
TRIP which YOU haven't got. since Won