Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-01-28

And mer wen, perhaps You are
right" said John, slowly.
81 am not always right" said Elsa,
frankly, smiling on his melancholy
face; "for instance, should have told
you from the first about my father,
but 1 put it off because like pleasant
topics, and that always made me cry"
'IEor Gods sake, Elsa, be merc.ful.
You don't think love you less because
of that? And, Elsa, dear, I have
searched for you for three years to try
and undo what said in a moment OF
madness. Can't you forgive me?"
Elsa's manner bafiled him, but when
she spoke her voice was low and trem-
ulous.
81 forgave you long ago, and don't
let us speak of it any more; everything
is past and buried"
Everything but our promises and
plans for the future, you mean?"
"Pleasc don't speak Of them, they
were childish. The perfect love and
trust we spoke of so glibly were myths.
But shall always be grateful to YOU"
81 don't understand. You talk in
riddles. Why should you be grateful
10 me?"
"You told me once that there is a.
ways o second best. I have learned to
find it,"
"What DO you mean? Where have
Won been all this time? Don't keep me
in such suspense can't bear it!'
81 suppose owe you. an explanation.
When ran away made some desperate
resolutions. They came to nothing, for
when I went to my work in the morn
ing, determined to give notice and bury
myself where no one should find me,
Mr.. Scarpley was so kind that, in an
swer to his inquiries, 1 was tempted TO
tell him the whole story" Elsa stopped
and stared at the empty platform for
moment.
eff I had only known!" murmured
John, frowning. ST went there, but he
would give me 10 clew."
"IIc is the best and dearest of men,
returned Elsa, warmly. 81 made him
promise And though he had oply my
word, he believed in me, and-and--
loved me. Desolate, heart-broken and
rriendless as I was, he offered me the
truest heart that ever beat, and IN
worthy as was, I accepted it, and have
learnt to value it."
"You married that mani" gasped
John, hardly knowing what he said.
Elsa gently bent her head. THAT
honor was mine," she said, proudly.
''IIe Is not young-you may call h;m
plain. 1 think he is the best and hand
soonest man in the world, and he thinks
am the most perfect woman that ever
lived. So now you know why am
grateful"
The long-haired fayorite again took
his place at the piano. Elsa smiled and
applauded with the rest. 1t was clear
she had no pity for Johns heartachc,
ind he hoped she had not noticed his
distress.
When he rose at the end of the solo
she looked up brightly.
"Must you go? My husband will be
fcre in moment. should like you to
know him. But you must come and
see US"
Mechanically he took the card she ten
dercd.
Thanks; but"
"Dut if you don't I shall know I have
sroilt your afternoon" persisted Elsa,
sweetly.
He did not trust himself to reply, but
babe her brief and courteous good-by.
On the dreary return to his northern
suburb he pondered on what she had
said till his head ached as we'll as his
heart; yet he could neither blame nor
rcproach her for broken vows since
she was so happy, and he tried to be
glad for her sake. But burning jeal-
ousy consumed him as he read the I'M
familiar name on her card and he knew
lie should never seek her out again.
Chicago Tribune.