Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-04-30
THE Wears DAUGHTER.

iHE PlCAH = DAUGHTER.
Cyril uardinge entered his West End
chambers about one a. m. in very self
satisfied frame of mind. Previous TO
that evening fortune Ind treated him
IN none too generous n fashion, but now
the tickle goddess, seemingly repentant,
bud made amcpds by placing fame and
fortune well within his grasp. Ills
three-act up-to-dnte society play had
been received by London audience
In a style never anticipated by the au-
thor, and when, In response to the re-
peated calla OF the, enthusiastic thcnter
goers, lie stepped before the curtain and
bowed his acknowledgements, he felt
that the hour OF triumph had arrived.
All recoliections of his previous fail
ures faded from his memory, and his
life seemed to date only from that mo
Inent. Being possessed OF moderate
income. he had nevcr felt the. pinch of
being hard up, and had met his numcr-
Gus reverscs with commendnble forti-
tude. But now. all the world WIS Mt
his feet; his name was made. his fu-
ture productions would be eager
iy sought inter, and, consequently, the
glow of pride which sufrused his whole
frame was partlonnble. After the play,
he had received the congratulations of
number of men whose names were
foremost in the literary world; men
not actuated by any feelings of petty
jealousy, but men who resolutcly en-
cQnrnged any promising aspirnnt to i'm
mortal fame.
On entering his room he turned up
the lights, and not feeling any inclina-
tion to retire, he casually took down
large tobacco jar from the mantcl-
piece and proceeded to lond an old
brer. Throwing himself into nm easy
chair, he lit! his pipe. and, with extend
cd limbs. puifcd clouds of pale blue
smoke toward the ceiling. lie wns n
young fellow of about 80, and not af-
fecting the manncrism Of others OF
his cult, wore n dnrlt beard trimmed In
the style immortnlized by tho genius
OF Van DYKE II fact which made him
look considerably older than he really
was.
mass of thick black hair ncccntu-
nted the pnllor of his clcarly-cut facc-
face cold. reserved and dignificd. md
one which revealed to the close OBJ
server much OF itS possessor's life story.
1t showed that its owner had seen times
OF trouble, times when the very hcnrt
seemed to be knocked out OF the mnn
times when his only companion was
gloomy despair; but the shape OF the
mouth revealed the man who by sheer
force of character had risen superior
TO the trials, which fata had. imposed
upon him.
As he sat there, consoled by tho
soothing charms of the goddess Nico-
tina, his thoughts were of a decidedly
pleasant nature. He had achieved sue
cess-nchieyed II when young.
And yet, look of intense and pas
sionate longing occasionally crept
across his face. Did past memories
trouble him, or did he vninly endeavor
to look into the dim future? lie sat
and smoked for some time, md then his
eye rested. on. the table by his side.
on which lay nm envelope addressed TO
him. lie took 1t up in n listless fashion
and lnzily scrutinized It. He saw that
it had been written by female hand,
and had not been through the post, and
he therefore concluded that II had been
left by caller. He broke II open. and
read the following epistle:
Dear sir:-Piease pardon the liberty
take In writing to you. ! have just wilt
messed the great success of your play. You
have now made your name and Will be
much sought after. VIII you grant me the
privilege OF interviewing your ] am en-
deavoring to set my foot upon the frat
rung OF the literary ladder but SO far have
not met with success am not connected
with any paper, but feel confident that the
report OF an Interview with YOU would
be accepted. ] shall call tomorrow In or
der to learn your decision. Yours very
truly.
ANNIE RALEIGH"
1IartlInge read The communication
with much interest," but never looked
Mt the signature. lie put the letter on
one side. pressed down the tobacco in
his pipe and between whiffs NUT
tered:
Poor girl. no success-well. surely
in the hour OF my Triumph can do
some one good turn-call tomorrow
-umph. rsserviDg. too-well. well-I
hate to be borcd-nnd by woman,
foo-howevcr, think Ill see her-I
wonder who she is?' and he took up the
letter again.
Annie isaleighi" he cried. Good
henvens! surely 'tis not-no. ii can
not be--she Is married long ago. and
vegetating somewhere in the country
long ere this; but what curious CO.
Incidence"
The name seemed to have wrought
flood Of "Reminiscences. and with dreamy
eyes he ccnjured up scene OF many