Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-04-27

himself an agreeable sentiment Of COM
passion. which conferred In the red sig
nal of WEAKNESS on her cheek. If,
through feebleness of spirit, she had
needed his sympathy, he would have
felt no such pleasure In giving 1t. He
was only working himself into an
imaginary comradeship. Things were
moving brislsly with the grader-man.
In two or three days the girl had got
hardened to her work and was already
falling into the swing of an expert.
Her special observer had noted the en-
ceptional quiclness of her acquire
ment, and the decided approval of prac-
teal Judgment reinforced his senti-
mental esteem. lt-~is often so with
young men of his sagacious turn and
successful habit of life. The heaven OF
sentiment invites with steadier allure
ment when it rests on substantial
ground of availability. The heart is in
deed entitled TO defy the judgment, but
it beats no less gayly when such def
ance is not called for.
Such assuring observations fastened
the period of conscious acknowledge
ment that the brakes were off. Our ele
waited friend blushed little as he con-
fessed to himself that he was sin the
chutes," and that he liked it. 1t was
not his habit. He never handled horses
that way, and he could not now quite
free himself from reproach for having
dropped the lines. But he laughed, new
ertheless, and enjoyed the joke on him
self, along with some other enjoyment.
His craft, however, did not wholly
forsake him. He did not forthwith be-
come the object of general suspicion.
The girl herself may have caught lock,
once or twice, that seemed to bring him
rather forcibly under her serious at
tention, but he rolled his oranges with
as light a hand as ever and exchanged
about the usual run of chatting with the
men who dumped into his hopper, the
manager, and all chance corners.
All the while the fingers of the new
packer were dancing under his eye, and
every orange that was wrapped and
slowed away by their deft pressure was
brighter by the reflection of his senti-
ment, and he felt, every time, as if he
were being taken possession of and laid
away in the treasury that her strong,
sweet life was gathering.
1t was getting to be time for astu;e
diplomacy to sanction some casual ad-
vances. It was observed at the noon
hour that the grader-man addressed a
number of remarks to the Missouri girl,
happening within talking distance.
There was no shamefacedness in these
approaches He easily maintained his
off-hand, smiling manners, as if he were
rather melting to good-humored in
diligence toward a stranger than fall
ing under the spell of her attraction.
No one ever got chance to make Jim
ridiculous.
As for the girl, her reception of this
nascent acquaintance was in perfect
form. Quite without show Of embar-
rassment she made no sign Of pretense
or offishness. Why should she not be
glad to learn something of the ways OF
this spirited young fellow, who had
looked at her perhaps rather vigorous
ly, but not in way TO call for any other
defense than she always had about her?
When things are managed in this
mastery way, the malice of on-lookers
is stifed at birth. 1t Is weakness that
invites troublesome comment. The
strong may lead their affairs through
the crowd without molestation. The
smiles that followed this progressive
pair were rather of approval than de-
rision. There may have been jokes, but
the mean and bitter ones are saved for
feebler victims.
Some days later the new girl hap
pened to reach the packing-house few
minutes earlier than the general arriv- |
al. The doors were all open and the
place was freshly swept, but no one was
in sight as she reached the doorway.
Then she heard quick steps, and tie
grader-man stood before her.
He was ready for his opportunity, for
signs had been in his favor in the days |
just past.
your clock fast?' he said, sweeping |
his eyes over the several approaches,
and finding that the nearest corners
were some minutes distant.
81 don't know didn't look at it. 1 |
Just came when felt ready. Maybe
twas the splendid morning that hurried
me-"
ut is splendid morning, isn't it?"
said he; and there was something in |
his smile that seemed somehow less
careless than usual. II feel little in a
hurry myself" he went on, noting the
freshness of the morning light on her
inquiring face, and astonished a little
at his own audacity. How much can
say before those girls get here?"
81 don't know" laughed the girl, but
her cheeks flushed little; 81 have
never heard you try"
Il can say this, anyway want you
to say you like me and that can walk
home with you sometimes, and that
you'll go to church with me next Sun
day
She looked mono the worse to him as
consciousness took unwonted posses
sion of her face, and he saw that she
wanted TO look away, but would not.
Not far was she tipped off her poise.
She answered proudly, still laughingly,
and stray lock, escaped from her
hat, danced at him on the edge of her
forehead, as a light breeze whisked by.
you can say good deal In minute;
but think you are too much in hurry.
If you should walk home with me this
evening, you would have more time.
Isn't it splendid morning." she shout
cd to four girls who were coming up the
walk and who wondered at her exhilara-
tion as she whirled toward them. The
grader-man climbed to his perch and
watched few angels among the rafters
as he waited in sublime patience for the
materials Of his industry.
A week or two after this the Missouri |