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

LIZ s1CAh - OAUU III Il Ill.
Cyril uardinge entered his West End
chambers about one a. IN. In a very self
satisfied frame Of mind. Previous 10
that evening fortune had treated him
IN. none too generous n fashion, but now
the tickle goddess, seemingly repentant,
bad made amends by placing fame and
fortune we'll within his grasp. His
three-act up-to-date society play had
been received by n London audience
In style never anticipated by the au-
thor, and when, in response to the re-
| peated calls OF the, enthusiastict thenter-
goers, lie stepped before the curtain and
bowed hts acknowledgements, he felt
that the hour OF triumph had arrived
All recollections of his previous fail
ures faded from his memory, and his
life seemed to date only from that mo-
ment. Being possessed of n moderate
income. he had never felt the, pinch Of
being hard up, and had met his numcr-
GUS reverscs with commendable forti-
tude. But now all the world WIS at
his feet; his name was made, his fu-
ture productions would be eager
~ sought after, and, consequently, the
glow of pride which suffused his whole
frame was pardonable. After the play,
he had received the congra ulations OF
number OF men whose names were
foremost In the literary. world: men
not actuated by any feelings OF petty
| jealousy, but men who resolutciy en-
conraged any promising aspirant to inn
mortal fame.
On entering his room he turned up
the lights, and not feeling any nclina-
ton TO retire. he casually took down
IA large tobacco jar from the mantel-
piece and proceeded To load an old
brier. Throwing himself into an easy
chair, he lii. his pipe. and, with extend
cd limbs. puffcd clouds Of pale blue
smoke toward the ceiling. lie wns a
young fellow of about 30. and not af-
fecting the manncrism OF others of
his cult, wore n dark beard trimmed in
the style immortnlized by the genius
of Van Dyke, n fact which made him
look considerably older than he really
was.
y mass OF thick black hair nccentu-
ated the pnilor of his clearly-cut facc-
face cold, reserved and dignificd. and
one which revealed 20 the close OBJ
server much oRitS possessor's life story
| IL showed that It's owner had seen times
OF trouble, times when the very heart
seemed 10 be knocked out OF the man
| 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 ha frio xn~l.f f.s A
upon him.
AS he sat there, consoled by the
soothing charms of the goddess Nico-
tina, his thoughts were of decidedly
pleasant nature. He had achieved sue
cess-nchIeyed II when young.
And yet. q look of intense and pas
sionate longing occasionally crept
across his face. Did past memories
trouble him, or did he valnly endeavor
to look into the dim future? lie sat
and smoked for some time. and then his
eya rested on. the table by his side.
on which lay IN envelope addressed to
him. Tie took IL up in listiess fashion
and lazily scrutinized IL. lie saw that
it had been written by n female hand,
and had not been through the post, and
he therefore concluded that II had been
left bS caller. lie broke il open. and
read the following epistle:
Dear Sir:-Please pardon the liberty I
take In writing TO you. i 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 you? am en-
! deavoring to set my foot upon the first
| rung OF the literary ladder. but so far have
not met with success. i 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"
1Iarllnge read she communication
with much interest, but never looked
at the signature. lie put the letter on
one side. pressed down the tobacco in
his pipe and between whlffs NUT
tered:
Poor girl. no success--well. surely
in the hour of my triumph can do
some one good turn-call tomorrow
-umph. reserving. too-wel!, WE'LL
hate to be bored-and by woman.
too however. | think Ill see her-I
wonder who she is p and he took up the
letter again.
Annie Raleighi" he cried. Good
heavens! surely tits not--no. IL can
not be--she is married long age. and
vegetating somewhere in the country
long ere this; but what a cnriods CO.
Incidence"
The name seemed to have wrought a
flood Of "reminiscences, and with dreamy