Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-04-04


u stccr-unannouncc He would
await Miss Weldon's pleasure at tho
Palace hotol.
And We'll havo to meet him
there, Fred declared III n tone of
desperation. "Wc?" tho young girl
exclaimed. I'm not Miss Weldon"
"Woll, l will, thon," Fred return
cd. But what will tell him-that
you no sick, dead or loft the city,"
Miss HalStcd shook her head.
That would only mean procras-
tination, with an explanation still
to DO made" sho said obviously.
No; if you are going to moot him
If you dare to moot him-tcll him
tho truth.
Fred WINGED. 1t had not previous
ly occurred to him that an encoun-
ter with Mr.. Witham might entail
bodily discomfort.
"Do-do you suppose he'll fght?"
ho queriod half abscntly
Il hope 80. You deserve it, was
tho young girls reply. Then she
paused, and her oyos sparklcd mis-
chiovously us she noted her compan-
ions objection. mo, l don't mean
that, Fred" she added Il would
not like you to got hurt But you
must SEQ him.
And l will, Dolly" was Fred $
earnest rcjoinder, his lovo for her
sex fast tending toward centraliZa-
ton. For you I'd Interview that
gentleman who buys his shoes at the
farrier's
But words are not actions. The
following day was nearly at an end
whom Fred entered tho Palace hotel
and glanced over the register. In
wardly he was praying that tho
namo of Witham should not appear
upon Its pages; that its owner might
be roposing beneath n wrecked train,
shot by express robbers, intoxicated
by tho waysido - anything But
there it was, and at sight of it he re.
paired to the barroom
| That courage, however, which is
attributed to Holland appeared to
have lost its potency, and he soon
returned to the office. His hand
trcmbled as ho drew card from his
pocket, but it had to be done, and
he rendered it to the clcrk.
MIR. Witham," he said terscly.
Five minutes later speaking tube
wheezcd, and he watched the clerk.
But the suspense was of brief dura.
ton. Yes, Mr.. Witham was in and
would be pleased to SEQ Mr.. Weldon
at once.
Fred drew a long breath, then
Strengthened up and walked toward
the elevator. Hitherto he had never
entered one of those elevators MT the
Palace without specializing on their
safety, but now he wished it would
fall. He even contemplated mental.
ly his own bruised and manglcd re.
mains and tho consequent press no.
tees. But it reached tho third floor
without mishap.
The bellboy, too, seemed rs if
bent on fastening the calamitous
work, for he ut once conducted him
to the door of Mr.. Williams room
and tapped loudly on tho panel.
Come, was ihc CHEEKY response
that floated through the transom,
and Fred shudGered: Then he pulled
himself together and turned the
knob.
But on the threshold he paused.
Mr.. Whitman, tho cowboy, was
seated within, and of exterior he
was not ut all formidable. His fca-
lures, albeit bearded, wcrc boyish,
pleasant and rather handsome, and
his attire was that affected by n man
of tho world. But it was not with
him that Fred was now concerned.
Dorothy Halsted was seated on his
knee
| Fred was like man dazed by
some sudden revelation. He seemed
almost to Staggcr But tho "cow
boy" smiled
Then, lifting Dolly, no deposited
her in his own scat and advanced,
with EXTENDED hand
My wife, MIR. Weldon" no oh
served lightly I've have had her
fathers blessing trust we have
yours.
Fred stared He was yet like one
in the dark, and he scarcely noticed
the hand that elapsed his own.
But he WIS speedily enlightened,
and by Miss Halstcd, or rather the
former Miss Halsted herself.
Yes, Fred, she said, with n
wealth of smiles and bushes. I'VE
must confess to n little deception
My own photo and not Mile Clos
was incloscd in your first letter, and
| after the second my-my husband
| always wrote two letters, one for us
and one for me. Fred, think his
appreciation of the situation influ-
cnccd me-just a bit-in what has
happened.
Fred bowcd-vcry coldly He was
| himself again. 1T all goes to
show, no aftcrward avcrrcd, that
women cant be trusted, even in
matters of jucular entertainment. "
Lieutenant +. III. Browne in Wash.
ington Post
The Turning of the Worm.
There arc some excellent people