Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-05-01


show ones feelings.
II do love you." he said at last.
"but-you won't tell Jim, will your"
Nan laughed. She kissed him with
q pathetic haste and gratitude.
I'VE won't tell anyone" she said
TITS just our secret
She went down and gave the boys
their tea. but she could take none
herself. She could only think of
Peter. and wonder what he waJ
thinking OF her.
man." said Claude. you look
like the picture OF the wicked fairy
In the story book
Nan reused herself with an effort.
Presently she rose-she knew that
the little maid would be wondering
why she had been late for tea. and
why she sat so long now alone at the
deserted table.
She began mechanically to tidy
the table-and push the chairs back.
II suppose I'll do this every day
OF my life till de-" she thought
hopelessly. II shall never be able
to escape any more-I've got to be
here all my life"
The garden gate creaked. as IL be.
meath the push Of hand: Nan raised
her eyes to the window. then all the
blood In her body seemed to rush to
her heart. for Peter Lyster was walk.
ing up the path to the house.
Peter-here! when only such q lit
tie while ago he had turned away
from her In the wood.
She would not see him-she was
afraid to see him: she rushed out into
the hall to tell the little maid that
she was not at home-as she passed
the door. she could see the dark out.
line Of his tall figure through the
glass panels.
She few on to the kitchen: at that
moment she dreaded Peter Lyster
more than anyone on earth: she
startled the little maid with her
breathless excitement.
There Is a gentleman at the door
Il am not at home. be sure and tell
him I am not at home-go and an
swer the door at once, will wait
here"
The little maid rose from her chair
slowly.
"What shall say. Miss?" she
asked with provoking stupidity.
Nan stamped her foot.
"Say ] am not at honesty I am
dead. II you like-anything. except
that am in"
She closed the door as the girl de.
parted: she stood listening in a trem.
bling impotence.
Now It was too late she wished
that she had seen him: a wild i'm.
pulse came to her to go out into the
hall and say that IL was q mistake
that she was In all the time: her
fingers frightened on the door handle
almost she had dragged 1t open
then she heard the shutting of the
front door. and after a moment the
maid came back.
II told him. Miss. and he's gone"
she hesitated. and a half smile
crossed her face. He didn't seem to
believe me-" she edded deprecatingly
Nan flushed.
II don't care II he didn't" she
said sharply.
She few up the stairs two at
time to her own room-she peered
out. screened by the curtain.
She could just see Peters tall fg-
ure walking away down the road
he was walking rather slowly.
The tears rushed to Mans eyes.
You fool" she told herself say.
agely. "Why didn't you see him
you had your chance-and now
you've lost it."
She stood there till he had gone.
then she went downstairs again
she made some pretext to go into
the kitchen, and presently asked the
girl what Mr.. Lyster had saio.
did he ask for me? What did he
say?"
HE just asked for you, missile
seemed disappointed when ] said you
was out-he asked il I knew where
you had gone"
And you-what did you say?''
Il said ! didn't know
And is that all?"
Yes, miss"
HE didn't say he would come back
later--or tomorrow
mo, miss"
"HeIl never come back" Nan told
herself despairingly.
She was standing looking out into
the garden when she heard the door
of her fathers room open, and pres
emily heard him calling to he
Go Be Continued