Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-06-12

.~ee was something childish about
this girl that appealed to him. ~
used to have q friend living with
me-. she wene on. "But now she's
had to go home, and I'm all alone.
I've tried to put up with It. but some-
now today felt I couldn't beer it
any longer. so sent Man q wire.
ana I'm going down to see her as
sne can't come back to live with me-.
"Nanr' said Peter sharply.
yes. that's her name-Nan Mar.
raby; she's such q dear: one of those
cheerful people who seem to do YOU
such O lot or good. I felt quite dit.
ferent when she was with me. but
now :" She looked away from
him out OF the window and her little
race fe6 into haggard lines.
After q moment she went on
SHE'S had heaps Of trouble, too
and she's so brave" She looked at
Aim. II don't know why I'm talking
| to you like this" she said with an
apologize smile.
lin battered that VOC should"
Lyster told her awkwardly.
After q moment he prompted her
gently.
You cay your friend has had a
lot Of trouble. I'm afraid that most
women have during the war"
"But Mans is different to most
peoples" she said with q little shake
| OF her head. "It seemed such a
cruel kind Of trouble. you know. She
| was engaged to q man--she just
adored him--they were to have been
married on his next leave. and then
:. :"
"And them" said Peter as she
stopped.
| He was wounded" the girl told
him. "And he had a bad shock as
weil-and when he got better-weli,
he'd just forgotten all about her
and. that was ALL"
Peter tried to speak, but no words
would come; his hands were locked
together. his lips felt cold and dry.
Presently. with an effort, he found
ms voice. but 1t sounded cracked and
strange to his ears.
Forgotten all about her." he said.
Il knew a similar case-at least-a
man who lost his memory in some. b
thing the same sort Of way. - ~
Really" She looked at him in. !.
terestedly. II suppose things like
| that happen every day out in France,
don't they? 1t must ali be such a
nishtmare-sucha horror :" She
shivered sensitively. AT first when
1 told Tim-Tim is my husband" she
explained shyly. "he said he thought
Peter must be shamming. Did
you speak?"
mo" said Peter.
Tim Is like that. you know" she .
went on. Hes a darling. but he's
80 matter OF fact-he didn't believe
in the Angels OF Mons a Bit" she
added regretfully
Peter half smiled.
II don't think many of us really
did,. he>said whimsically. but with
regard to this--this man Peter,
! think you said his name was, -
fes-Peter Lyster never
saw him myself. but Nan spoke OF
him so much ! always felt as IL I
knew him. :" She gave q little
startled exclamation. leaning towards
him. oh. are you ill?" she asked
anxiously.
Peter pulled himself together with
an effort, though he was white to
the lips.
mo. no--go on" he said huskiIy.
And what happened then-what did
your friend do?"
do! What could she do! She iust
behaved as If nothing had ever ex.
isted between them-she just-let
him CO."
"And-and the mann"
Joan Endicott shrugged her shout.
ders..
oh" she said. tits not Peter
am sorry forts not Peter who
wants plying"
Peter laughed mirthlessly; he
leaned his head In his hands for a
moment.
Poor DEVIL" he said then. who
knowsr
The taxi had turned into Euston
Square. and Peter woke to his sur.
roundings with a start.
He felt as II someone had plunged
him into an abyss Of darkness and
silence. through which he CROPPED
vainly in the desire 20 and q way
out.
The taxi was allowing down. and
with an effort he reused himaelf ard
turned to the cir, beside him,
ITO BE Continued