Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-04-01

love, my one only love!"
''This is my niece, Mr.. Creighton.
Mr.. Harrison used to speak Of her as a
little girl, and you may imagine my
surprise when this tall, stately young
lady was ushered in upon me-"
"A very charming surprise, should
imagine" was the response, spoken in
rich, musical tones, "as she will prove
so much more companionable for you.
How very pretty she is" he added
turning to his companion, as the young
girl, after standing a moment beside
them, crossed the lawn and stopped to
gather some flowers.
"Do you think so? Rather too child
ish q type of beauty to suit my taste
However, I am somewhat critical"
"At which no one can wonder, when
your mirror reflects so high stand
ard"
It was summer, and Mrs. Harrison
was in her beautiful home upon the
Hudson, where was enacted this little
scene. Three years had passed since he
who had amassed for her all this wealth
had beeen stricken down, and delicate
lavenders end creamy laccs relieve The
scenber hue of her widows dress. Her
house is filled with guests, but lie. the
latest to arrive, to whom Sic had OK
tended but an hour ago the hand o.
welcome, is honored beyond them all.
That he would ever stand beneath her
roof, accept her hospitality, had been a
prayer she never dreamed would meet
with fulfllment. Yet here he is. Her
hand was laid in his; his voice, with
none of its old sweetness gone, assured
her that not yet has he found forget
fitness. And down deep in her very
soul the smoldering embers are famed
into flame, which burns all the more
fercely because so long suppressed.
Weeks passed, the June roses fade,
the July sun beams upon the soil, but
each day brings new youth and fresh
beauty to the fair hostess.
tits evening, and Max Creighton PAGES
the rose-bordered walk alone. a cigar
is in his mouth, and thick clouds Of
feecy smoke rise and encircle the hand
some head. His thoughts seem to be
happy ones, for in his eyes CLEANS a
deep light, and q smile is on his lips, q
smile which deepens as he catches sight
Of q girlish form on the terrace beyond,
and he quiclsens his steps until another
moment brings him to her side.
"What happy chance has brought you
here alone, Miss Kate? I was just
thinking of you Do you know that dur
ing this last month have been learning
q secret secret which I was this
moment longing to unburdcn to some
onc-which soon I should have had to
whisper to the flowers and trees. if !
had not spied you out; and now viii you
listen?"
A scarlet flush swept over the girls
fair cheek; a flush the mans eye failed
hot to note as she answered:
''In order to save the trees and flow
ers from so serious responsibility, l
suppose shall have to. Mr.. Creighton"
'Nay, must have willing listener,
for need all her patience. I must &c
hack a long while, Kate-eight years.
Then YOU were a little child of ten,
while 1 was "a; foolish boy who
thought himself possessed of all the
wisdom of matured manhood-ah! it
seems but ycsterday!-when sud-
denly the whole world appeared to
he wranped in rosc-colored Clouds
7 fell madly, desperately in love;
and when I found I haG awakened
answering love L was at once drunk
with joy. 1t was in a country
village that met her. l was visiting
some distant relatives. She was poor,
but what cared for that? My own for
tune was sufficient to give her every
comfort, though 1 had not at that time
fallen heir to my fathers Inheritance
She was young and beautiful and
thought she loved me. Well, it is the
old story; need not linger on it. An.
other came upon the scene. had never
told her of my wealth or position; that
either could influence her l never
dreamed, and so one day awoke tc
learn that she had given her hand tc
him whom she thought outbid me il
gold and glitter. did not seek to unde
ccive her. A strange, calm philosophy
took possession of me, and felt it was
best as it was, until one day, on taking
up the morning paper, read the notice
of her marriage. With the printed evi
dence of her perfdy in my hands, phi
losophy and reason alike deserted me
and the pent-up feeling within ma
burst in an unrestrained tide. The
blaclness of death seemed to gathei
round me, and for days and weeks
knew nothing in the grasp of fierce
feyeG. from. which l strnsgled back t