Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-12-15
CHAP II.

AZ the years rOllod away, ivan ~
leigh's acqu tntance with Cuarlia Ma
son and myself ripened into tho most
ardent friendship. A. school We were
well.nigh inseparAbIe, and when our
course Of study at the Lakeville A,ad-
emy was completed, we all entered the
same college, where, after four years OF
hard work, we graduated, Ivan being
the valedictorian Of our class.
He was a most remarkable young man, |
this crippled friend of ours, physically,
morally aud mentally. lie had broad,
white brow framed in a mass OF crisp,
saw black hair; face almost femn-
inc in It's beauty, eyes dark, lustrous,
fathomless, bespeaking for the soul
that lay behind them the INFINITE ten
derness OF q woman. combined with the
dauntless courage of true manhood.
And yet in the dreamy depths OF those
splendid eyes there lurked an indehn-
abls look of sadness II was not the
expression of man who yields to ad-
vsraity, but rather OF ono who, while
fully realizing that great and unusual
obstacles lie in his path is yet deter
mined to override them all.
Such was tho face and such the char
acter OF Ivan Raleigh.
Al The close Of our college life Ivan
and returned to LlIeville and began
the study OF law, while Charlie, greatly
70 the surprise of his friends, instead of
entering thu nrofessiOn of medicine, as
he mad always intended, went forth 10
400 nckie fortune amid the wilds vi
Nebraska Rumor had it that my cous-
Ia lssbel's refusal To change hUr name
from Hamilton 10 Mason had much to
do with the alteration of my friends
plans. Bc that as it, may, Isabel was
certainly beautiful and charming g.
nouvh TO drive a less susceptible man
than handsome Charlie to desperation,
Nebraska, or some still more undesir-
able State, il hu allowed himself to fall
into her tolls. Even our ancient enem-
Y, the eminently practical and unsenti-
mental job EldridEe, who was at the
tima OF whicn | write one OF the leading
business men OF the village had been
one OF the numerous train OF her admir-
ere. Indeed, 80 hard hit Was ho that
upon her refusal TO marry him he had
created terrible s3ene, finally leaving
! tho house with threats Of dtro vangeance
upon her and all VINO bore her name.
Upon our admission TO the bar Ivan
and / routed an office in I4akesillr, and
hanging out a shingle brHF ny the inn
nr~sSiyo legend, ''Graham & Raleigh,
SttOrneys-at-law," GIFTED our pipes and
sat with our feet on the table, awaiting
arugh Of business, with all the serene
confidence of youth. Fortune smiled
on us from the very first. Almost al
the commencement Of our career par
ticplarly atrocious murder was commit
ted in q township djoining our village
'rhs man who WAS arrested for the criint
was So poor in this worlds goods and o
such u0turiOusly bad character that h'
Nxporiruced great difficulty in getting
counsrl Az u dcrnior resort he came
10 us aud anxious for an opportunity t.
sprrad our wings, we entered upon ~
caNe heart and soul. The first trial re
suited la q conviction, as nearly ever,
ope sxpcct4d, hut, on an appeal irou
fhg decision uf they residing judge re
gnrdinR the admission OF certain testi
muny which was very prrjhdicial to th
prisoner. the Supreme Court granted
rrhOaring. On tho second trial our eli
ent was acquitted. In the management
OF this case Ivan particularly dlstiT
Ruished himsnlt by his shrcWdness an
legal ability. and, az the result OF ou
frat success, our business soon gre"
proportions that exceeded our most Sal
guino expectations.
One dull, rainy afternoon in autum
Ivan aud sat alone in our office indul
ING in a quiet smoke. For some tin
nast had noticed marked chang"
nv partner. Ills manner WAS dull al
listlcss, and he frequently exhibited
irrilahility and peeyishne.s that we
altogether foreign to his nature. l
manifested no concern in thc affairs
tho day. and even sermrd 10 lose int
estin the business Of the partnershi
Aa / sat watching him through I
clouds Of smoke | could see that
looked more worn and haggard than
ual. and there was an expression in
ewes that indicated that his though
were far from his surroundings
"lvau,p said l. breaking the silen
a,vou are worn out with work. For so
time YOU have not been yourself, and
wRn. YOU to take a vacation.
"Nonzonse, he replied, Il was nc
go well ablu to work as at present
aWhat, then, is the matter with yo'
"Simply-nothinR.
"l cannot OeAlHNe khAN aaAui ,
looks tell difforcnt story"
Nevertheless It is true," be repii
"Inm heavier, hearticr, and can "
longer and walk farther without ur
than ever before"
"You have something on your mi
thenP"
He made no reply.
''IVan,n I said in bantering tone,
believe you are in love. Now II th'
ao-." and here / stopped In halt-tril
aned bewilderment. at the effect
words had produced. My compan'
face turned as pale as death, and spr
Ing from his chair be glared at me
salt Insane light In his eyes
made mo shudder.
HYes," be said aercely, II am IN |
strange, isn't ID, that such burlei
on the image OF God should love
other men2 How her red lip "
curl could she but know what %
conquest her beauty has made! anc
broke into q discordank mlFthleas Il
that made ms blood run coidS
9Who Is this woman that has Y
with youg" I asked.
wNo woman has trihed with me,
raspoRded warmly. "God bless hef
seysr Intended 70 work me harm.
Ike everyone else and his