Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-01-13

and Kittens urgency about visiting
Dale went UNDECIDED, until, just before
Thanksgiving time, there came from
her a positive order, which left me sur
prised and troubled. A servant came
up from Dale with the note, which read
I can repeat it even now word for
word:
Dear Charlie: Jack Roche is in town.
I want him down here Thanksgiving, with
out fail, by seven o'clock. Come yourself;
you will be needed. It's plan have ar
ranged myself and 1t includes opening the
church and a wedding that not a soul must
know about AS always trust you i'm
plicitly, and of course you won't betray me.
You never did, Charlie; you won't begin
now The utmost secrecy must be kept, or
else all will be spoiled. Just six persons
know, when you and Jack Roche are in
''uUeO' O''' "KILIEN"
What did I do, pray, after this? l
went around of frosty morning to
find Roche. My face, think, was as
long as a deacon's.
"You must go down to Dale with me
tomorrow"
"To Dale?"
cts Kittens order"
"Eh, Charlie" he said, "you are cut
up about Miss Dandy"
ga clergyman, Jack, has some ex-
emptions," I commented, "but / shall
swear in a minute"
"You look it," he said. 81 ought to
lecture you. But will go down." he
concluded.
didn't tell him then what it was
all about. I didn't tell him that Kilien
probably wanted to elope with Lord
Stavers. Why in the world she wanted
to run away when it was all so easy
in the ordinary way, was quite beyond
me. l couldn't fathom her design. 1t
was only plain that it was she and
Stavers
Well, we took the train at Long Is
lnnd City that afternoon. AS we came
in, Curry, one of Philip Danby's
grooms, was on hand, with word that
his mistress and Miss Betty, and his
lordship and Mr.. Brooks were outside
with the horses. Then Kilien herself
rushed in under the light of the sta
ton lanterns, looking flushed and hap
"Your church is all ready, Mr..
Roche"
"a wedding, eh?" said the rector.
ga runaway one, Mr.. Roche"
''To avoid a big one and all the prep
aration?" he said, buttoning his
coat.
Exactly" said my cousin, flushing
even more; but wondered why she did
all the talking-why Stavers failed TO
say word for himself.
"And Mr.. Danby-what will he say?"
the rector went on.
But Kilien stamped her foot at this
Ter eyes flashing.
ITS what I say, isn't it, Mr.. Roche?
If papa scolds, you have only to refer
to me-"
yes" said the rector, looking rather
troubled. "of course, Miss Dandy"
"Now, you will do it, Mr.. Roche
her voice was pleading.
He looked at her. She made very
spirited picture-a little silver tipped
stick in her gloved hand; covert coat
turned up to her ears; her eyes laugh
ing, yet insistent, And he was no older
than the rest ofus.
'I will risk it, Miss Kilien."
She took both his hands. "You dear
Mr.. Roche!"
"She has her way with every man"
Teddy Brooks was saying, when she
turned to me- you're the soberest.
Charlie. But the horses are waiting"
They were all out there, indeed, wait
ing for us. Lord Stavers and Betty
hadn't dismounted, but were talking
earnestly. The full moon had burst
through a rift in the clouds, and the
whitened tree limbs sparlSied.
Kilien called back to me: well.
Charles" Then to Roche: 81 want to
say something to Charlie Westmore."
So Roche pulled back.
"Why have you been so disagreeabe
lately?" my cousin on Ulysses asked Of
Babette's rider.
"This, dear Kilien," 1 said incense
quently, us quite an extraordinary
thing to do"
81 grant you that" she said, "but-"
81 suppose his title and position
would attract any girl" went on,
now quite fiercely.
at might" said Kilien, at might"
And she gave Ulysses a switch that
sent him careening.
"Women are strange creatures, utter
ly unreliable" went on, bitterly.
you think so, Charlie?" she said
rather coldly.
81 am quite convinced"
"You have firted with lot of girls;
I'm sure you ought to know" Kilien
retorted.
"This Thanksgiving ends one girl
with me-" I announced.
Really" she said.
cts you, Kilien."
"Don't be ridiculous, Charlie"
"That blessed chap" and 1 pointed
to Stavers, "has separated u.s."
do be pleasant. Remember It's
thanksgiving 1euuy IS gong 10 give
the bride away"
81 must say, Kilien, don't think
much Of this way Of doing things" 1
went on.
"It was the only way to avoid talk
and scandal"
"Avoid it," 1 cried.
"You don't understand" she said,
stifay; "you don't at all. There was
Lady Stavers' opposition"
Opposed to you'll" cried. "Impos-
sible!"
"You are very complimentary, cousin
mine," she said, with another gay turn
of laughter; and she dropped me lit
tie courtesy in the moonshine. Then,
suddenly, she drew Ulysses nearer
Bab's head and extended her hand, so
as to pat the mares neck. "But am