Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-09-14

THE crimson shaded lamp shed a
soft radiance upon a woman,
cowned in some white fabric which
snyeloped her figure. Opposite her,
loune!pg in careless fashion, was her
companion, a handsome man OF 30
years.
Judging from their surroundings, IN
dioative OF culture and refinement, 1t
might have been supposed topics OF alb
sorbina interest, of travel, exciting @4-
venture or historical narrative were
being discussed.
The ease aud grace Of the woman
were equaled by the intensity OF the
man. whose outward appearance
showed only cold and calm thought.
The woman broke The silence by say
ine in clear, low tones: so You sill!
clae to your ideals After these many
wears you stin respect the good, the
true. the beautiful, happy man. '
The shade Of cynicis1l Conveyed 'n
these few words grated upon the sensi-
tive temperament Of the man.
Certainly. Agnes, he replied, quiet
IL, although fierce remonstanca was in
lis heart. why do / find You 50
changed? Five years ago you were
enthusiastic in dilaiipg upon the Beau
ties OF friendship, pia,onic or ether
wise: Of the ideal in love, ideal haPpi-
ness in a home where two souls with
but single thought, including the
remainder of Ingomar's rapturous Sc
uiocuv. Tonight you return chance.
Insertion with "A singing swiftness, not
unlike the strokes you use in tennis
matches
Really, Jack, yourrenarks are quite
confusing. Ideals and tennis matches!
What other novelties in metaphor can
you oircr??" iaughingly reioined Agnes,
but she placed her fan 10 her lips TO
.ontroj their quivering, so fearful was
she that the subdued light would betray
her emotion.
On such night five years before, in
the same place, they had discussed
ideals. Nh, how well she remembered
II. When he left she wore a diamond
,ircle, happy in the belief of mans sin
Gritty. One year of bliss, her father
lied. md the wedding had to be post.
oncd. As fate would have it, Jack
Wilson was ordered to Paris ON special
business for his firm. Thus it CHANGED
hat Agnes Leighton babe him fare
vel! at the steamers dock, and watched
.he dim speck of smoke which carried
he one she loved above all vanish in
he horizon.
Letters came and went. Soon I'M
oleasant rumors reached her ears, then
we're openly discussed; rumors that
Jacks life was not becoming in an en-
aged man. Agnes crushed her sus-
oicions and defended him nobly, when
her mother advised her to inquire OF
Jack tie cause OF these rumors.
In an evil moment, copy of the
T:earo reached her through a friend,
.onaiuing an account of the magnid-
emf success Of Il former schoolmate
10 embraced music as a profession.
lauairg through the paper Agnes was
orriGcd to learn Of the infatuation
r NJ. Jacque Wilson for pretty SOU
5retie who charmed the crowds OF Wis
Tors al a famous cafe chantant.
Naturally, this seemed conclusive
aroof Of which Agnes awaited herself
20 the extent that she sent the clip
ing and her engagement ring to his
address in Paris. Swift as the mail
could bring it came a reply from Jack
begging her to Lelieye in him; that
while appearances were against him, he
knew time void prove all things;
that he was nound by VOW Of silence
which affected the happiness and flu
ture os various people. While he re-
GREETED the unfortunate circumstance
which threw the Clipping in her hands,
be admitted its truth as to statement,
returning the ring, baying faith in her
aobi,ity Of character to forgive the
.aarnfnG incongruity OF the clipping
ana his ardent wish TO beneye IN him.
During the year rumor discussed the
young man with greater feryor, but
Agnes steadily refused to talk Of the
matter. She met. new friends and be-
Heved she was forgetting Jack,
That morning, the anniversary OF
their betrothal, Jack Wilson arrived on
the City of Paris, sending a telegram
from his club announcing his arrival
and q request for an interview. Agnes
decided to see him once more.
When Agnes spoke of his ideals as
we have seen, Jack leaned toward the
graceful figure with intent to seize The
delicate hand in close proximity, but
she, apparently unconscious OF his IN
tent, quickly swept it among the folds
of her gown.
Up to this time Agnes, with woman
ly dizziness, had kept the conversation
upon conventional lines, but the mag
netism of congeniality had thawed her
feelings and an approaching scene was
impending.
She drew q white rose from her belt
her fingers trembling with emotion.
"see! Jack, this white rose!" she
added, nervously. at is one of Dor
othys wedding roses. She threw her
bouquet and whispered, when 1 secured
it. that as it was an emblem of her