The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-30
THE DRAGON.

less, but determined, was known tonobody
All that any one knew of her was inn
parted by a brief statement made by the
editor of The Dispatch to the effect that on
certain clustering afternoon in January
she had walked into the Office and asked
for employment.
chad declined her services, with thanks.
but She came again and again, until one
day she found 4 vacant desk, sat down at
it, and had been there ever since.
She wrote two or three caustic articles,
struck at one or two local atrocities, and
in little while made an enviable reputa-
tion for bitterness and cynicism. Her name
got out, and after that everything that APP
peared in the paper was unhesitatingly set
down to her credit
She was not known outside of the Office,
but the impressions that prevailed concern
ing her were not flattering.
1t was generally agreed that she knew
too much to be young, was too cynical to
be agreeable, and there was Il theory cur
rent among the papers readers that she
had been crossed in love and disappointed
in her literary aspirations.
She did her work in the daytime and
was little more than II myth to the men
who spent their nights in journalistic har-
ness. They were frequently questioned
about her, and they generally answered all
queries by the broad but meaning state
ment that she did not run with the gang"
Soon after she began her mark in her
new sphere a book of verses appeared
written by a gentleman of L., George
Lawrence. Copies were sent to all the
papers, and one of these fell into the hands
of Miss Damon.
She prefaced her criticism with the re.
mark that the verses were not uniformly
bad, but ranged from bad to very bad; and
then v N, n. lo1 ha lo, lao
extent OF three-quarters of IL column
Lawrence had never forgiven her He
referred to her ever afterward as 1.-THE
dragon" and the imperial dragon" The
criticised versifier experienced some salts
faction mt having thus baptized her with
indignation, but he by no means considered
himself avenged, and Mt the mere mention
of her name his muscles grew rigid ana
every artery throbbed with a wild desire
for vengeance.
Being clever with n pencil, he made Il
sketch of her which embodied the popular
impression that she was shrcwish person
| of uncertain age. and it was source of
endless amusement to himself and friends
| Lawrence was good deal depressed, but
| he did not intend to be snuffed out in this
summary fashion, however, and though
for time he attempted nothing in II liter
airy way, he was casting about for Il fresh
IuOIlNe, resolved NJ no distant date to MAX
| another effort.
| THE dragon" had recommended pros.
he would try prose-
| In the meantime summer had come, and
Lawrence was to spend several months
with some friends in California. When he
returned he would go to work in earnest,
Lawrence, OH his way to California, had
stopped to spend day ut Manitou. He
had reached the springs the evening before,
and was finishing his breakfast this bright
morning in the great sahara of n dining
room when the waiter came in to announce
the carriage he had ordered for the day.
For the last half hour the gallery in
front of the hotel had been thronged with
tourists, ready to begin the days sight
seeing, and the double line of vehicles
drawn up outside were being loaded with
all possible dispatch.
AS Lawrence emerged from the dining
room the last wagon drove up to the door
and n lady was on the point of getting in.
when the driver said:
Beg your pardon, ma am. but this car
riage is for the gentleman"
But ordered a carriage for this morn
Ing"
Your order was too late. They were
all engaged. This was the last one in the
stables. can give you one toI borrow"
Il shall not be here tomorrow"
Maybe the gentlcman's going 10 stay
over day or two and would just as soon
drive tomorrow" suggested the driver.
by this time Lawrence had come up
If you can give me IL horse and saddle it
will answer my purpose just as WE'LL" he
said.
81 haven't got horse"
AS l leave tomorrow on the early
train" said Lawrence, ~ cannot conven-
'e2tly postpone my drive. But we are
probably going in the same direction, and
Should be delighted to accommodate you
with seat in the vehicle"
There was nothing else to be done. She
accepted with thanks
Lawrence handed her into the carriage
and thought rs their eyes met that she
was not an unpromisng companion lie
was Il gregarlous animal. He hated be.
ing alone, especially in crowd, and a
chance acquaintance was not to be de
spised.
He handed her his card She looked mt
the name, raised her brows slightly.
dropped the card into her handbag, and
then looking squarely at him, said:
My name is Vincent"
1t was delightful drive, and neither
regretted the circumstances that brought
them together. They dincd ut the same
table and finished up the sights In the
afternoon.
He met her at the door rs she was about
to enter the ballroom in the evening.
She wore dress of black lace, with n
sleeveless corsage that displayed pair OF
superb arms and IL smooth, white neck.
He thought, rs he stood there looking past
her into the ballroom, that no carvin,
could hc more classic than her profile
The ballrco'a was full of proms~.rlcrs.