Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-04-03

slip her hand through his arm and
lay her cheek to his sleeve and com.
fort him.
He laughed ruefully.
"Shall I? Sometimes wonder.
It's a queer thing. you know. having
your memory wiped out. And yet
his voice changed a little--.in q way
at has It's advantages. For instance.
get q chance to see people differ.
emily. Seton. for MISTAKENLY the
way. hope he is not q friend of
yours?''
Mono" said Nan. quickly.
| Then I can go on with what Z,
was going to say-which is that am
sure - could choose my friends
over again he would not be amongst
them. He tells me that we were
once great pals - he gave little
chasrined laugh. 1T takes some be.
iieving."
Nan could not answer: In her heart
she was asking hersGff q desolate
question
'"Then what Of me? What Of me?
what would you feel about me IL
told you-if you knew?'
She stopped.
II ought to be going back--it must
be getting late.''
Lyster turned at once.
II suppose ought to be going
home. too" he said. reluctantly. ITS
a three.mile walk to Gadsden, isn't
III"
"And do you like being there?"
Nan asked him. jealously. as Mr..
Arnott's sister nice?"
"She's delightful woman" Peter
said quickly.
"Mr. Arnott said he would bring
her to CALL" said Nan.
II am sure you will like her: she
has been kindness itself to me-"
YES" said Nan. DULY.
II shan't like her. shall hate
her" she was thinking in her heart.
They had come to an open space
where the trees had been cleared.
Nan stole glance at Peter-he was
looking at her. too.
II. notice, you are wearing the
badge Of my regiment" he said sud
denly; he touched the little enameled
bow on her blouse.
Nan caught her breath.
''Yes-it was given to me-by
somebody" she said in a panic.
She put up her hand to the little
ornament with sudden nervous ges
ture.
"Arnott's sister lost her husband in
France" Lyster said presently.
YES" said Nan; her cheeks
burned. ''And lost my lover there
she said.
The words seemed forced from her.
she tried to cover the tragedy in her
voice. She knew that Lyster looked
at her quickly. and when he spoke
his voice was singularly gentle.
"Arnott did not tell me-" he said.
II never speak about It," Nan said
hurriedly. II just go on and try to
forget-always to forget :"
cts the women who suffer in this
war;" Lyster said modify. For US
well. at least we have the excite
ment and the risk-and always some.
thing new-something different-out
for the women who stay at home :.
I think 1t Is they who are the brave
ones, Miss Marraby.
Nan tried to laugh.
II hope they are not all such COW.
ards as ] was just now she said.
shakily. And / hope you won't tell
anybody that cried and made such
an idiot of myself :"
i've never done such q thing be-
FORE" she rushed on. 81 don't know
what came over me. It's a merciful
thing you turned up and brought ms
to my senses, or ] might have wan
dered on for the rest of my life. like
Me.isande in the wood -
She was purposely talking fiippant
ly, and Lyster seemed to understand
her mood.
They were at the stile now.
Perhaps youll come to tea one
day." Nan said. trying to make her
voice casual. 1--WE only have school
room tea and thick bread and butter.
but III cut some thin for you-if
you'll Gomez"
II like 1t thick" he answered.
laughing. Save the top crust for
me, Miss Marraby, and TN promise
to come-let me help you"
Nan had deliberately pretended she
could not mount the stile; she longed
to feel his hands on hers again-she
felt that she must snatch greedily at
every moment with him.
Lyster vaulted the stiie easily and
turned to help her.
Trn Lla rans.-,a,h