Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-02-13

fore" DO
He paused. but Nan gave no sign.
though her heart seemed to leap al.
most from her body.
Have you ever seen me before7,
ne asked painfully. You KNOW
am sure Arnott has told you-that
the shock had when was knocked
out In France has made me FORGET
some things In my life. They say it's
only temporary. and that 1 shall be
all right again. but it's got on nv
nerves-Im always dreading that L
Snau run across people I ought to-
know. and not know them
Il saw you that night at the hotel ~.
she said gently II dare say that yo,,
are thinking OF that"
Perhaps I am He sounded re.
lieved: he gave a quick sigh and
looked down the wet road In .se di.
recsi9n In which Arnott had. va,..
!. "Arnott seems We very = b,sckea to-,
think you win be within easy reach :
Of him at Leavenden.s. he said. with. =.
sudden change Of voice: vi suppose. :.
you arc old friends?t -. - =.
Nan said YES" and then mo-,
and then added. with . rush, i.r dom,
know: II ell depends what YOU wouid. .
call old friends.r
Arnott came back with the taxs:
tho rain was dripping from his shoui..
dsrs. but be was flushed and snaiins..
II bad the aeuce Of Q Job 10 get
It. no explained to Nan. II had 20
20 halfway down the street"
Nan thanked him hurriediy: she
said 'Goodby" to Peter without look.
Ing at him and ran across the oath
to the waiting cab.
Arnott followed and stood at the
door. regardless OF the rain pouring
down on him.
"And you'll let me know when
you're. leaving town." he asked.
You promised. you know" he added
as she hesitated.
.,"pid,I? Very well-do go and take
shelter. you're wet through"
He shut the door reluctantly. Nan
waved hand to him.
1t was only when she reached the
Hat that she remembered that she
had forgotten all about Joan's hat:
she bit her lip with vexation.
Joan was angry.
you might have remembered IT,
she said peevishly. THAT was all 1 &.
asked you to do for me-
Nan did not try to defend herself
II forgot" she said That's my
,nly excuse. I just forgot wac
ebout something else. and
:. you'd forget worse things than
hat Il you'd got little. red demons
lshting for your heart" she cried
With sudden are.
Joan's little maid knocked e the
loor: she thrust scared face round
"Please. Nam. another telegram
Joan rushed across the room.
For me. OF course" she grabbed
he yellow envelope. glanced at il
Ind gave little laugh.
"How silly: was 20 sure e mus,
~ for me: but It's for you. Nan"
Nan took out tho message,
II have got to go hone at once"
The said DULY. my stepmother has
lied very suddenly"
'Nanr' The two girls looked at one
VOdI ktdu IlcVSE
seen Mrs. Marraby, but she had
heard q great deal about her.
Things always happen In threes,"
Nan was saying DULY. First Mr.
Arnott coming-then the wire from
rim. and now-this''
She stood twisting the paper me.
Life had suddenly
from q sane and cheerful
thing into q sort OF torturous dream
where sorrow and death and desola.
ton ata!ked hand.in. hand. She
thought Of Mrs. Marraby as she had
last seen herr woman In tho prime
Of lite--and It seemed impossible that
she could really be dead and
the three small boys motherless.
Mans cold face was suddenly swept
by emotion.
"0h. the poor. little boysp' che seid
brokenly. Il must 90 at-0nce. OF
course ,nust." "
Il was only when che vas really in
the train and racing out Of London
that she remembered what Asnott
had said about his sisters. home be
Ing 90 near to Leavenden: She caugi'.
her breath with gasp.
Was this the hand OF fate a..
she closed her eyes giddiI,
TO Be COntin"
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