Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-10-10
E WARNING
OF
MARY VINCENT.
Mary Warned Henry Tennis
Against Making q bad Investment,
Whcreupon Henry Warned Mary
of the Evils of Single Life.
By W. II. Roso.

C&SO<2O>SOcOS2O$So SoSSONsOSs'oS2OSSCtO
The young girl paused at the door,
Then she frowned lmpatiently and
turned the knob. As the door opened
she found herself in plainly furnish
cd room, the floor covered with limo
lerGll, tic walls hung with maps. There
were three lorE ~---::-;;!ows Mt the upper
end and in the right hand wall an open
door.
"Is that you, George" voice called
from the inner room.
Mary Vincent dill rot reply. She
felt all her reluctance come back to
her.
"wny don't you answer me,
George?'
There was the sound CT chair push
ed back, ard then a tail young man
stood in the doorway.
"T-I beg pardon" he cried as he
stepped forward. Il thought it was my
somewhat tactfturn Office boy. Please
take Il chair"
Mary Vincent bowed gravely and sat
down. At the actual encounter with
this formidable young man her courage
seemed to return.
You are Mr.. Henry Tennis" she
said, half interrogatlvely.
AT service" he answered and
bowed.
My name is Mary Vincent" she
murmured. If she had expected he
would look surprised, she was disap-
pointed. There was little pause.
tAnd to what do 1 owe this visit?" he
courteously asked.
The girl hesitated.
"Tor me-" she said with an effort,
''this is very disagreeable mission"
She looked toward the open door of
the anteroom.
1--WE are quite alone" said Tennis.
al have come" said Mary in n low
voice, ito warn you against my fa-
ther'
"Your fatherE'
My father, Abner Vincent"
"Go on" said Tennis.
''He has told us, my mother and me,
that you were to let him have $4,000
to advance one of his schemes. Do
not give him the money. The scheme
is visionary one. My father is ro-
mancer.'
She paused and moistened her lips.
My mother and l thought you
should be warned We felt that your
youth and y-your inexpcrience appeal
ed to us. DO not give my father the
money" She paused again. "Of
course this warning will lie held con-
fdential:"
"Sacred," said Tennis.
Mary arose to go.
"One moment" he added. 'May
ask how your father happened to talk
this matter over with youT'
HE has Il habit of boasting," said
Mary. 'He is always on the verge of
some great fortune winner. He told
us that with your money his latest
scheme could be launched. Sometimes
we feel sure lie is only romancing.
This time his details We're too perfect
to admit of doubt. He told us SO many
particulars about-about you"
May | ask what he said?' INQUIRED
Tennis gravely.
You will not feel offended? He said
you We're young aud quite inexperi-
enced. that you had just come into a
lot of money. that you We're flinging
it carelessly right and left and that
you would never miss the sum you had
promised him"
Are you quite sure am the person
he mcant:" added Tennis.
Quite sure. Mr.. Henry Tennis, in
the Mohican building"
and your father looks upon me as
lamb. eh?''
81 think understand what YOU
mean. Yes. lie said-I want YOU to
clearly appreciate the light in which he
regards you-that you were, to use his
own rather rude expression, easy
picking"
Tennis laughed softly.
"Thank you very much, Miss Aus
tin he said and extended his hand.
She placed her own-a little reluctant
ly-in it, 81 assure you appreciate the
sacrifice you have made Your warn
ing will not be wasted. am sure
shall profit by it in more ways than
one. Good day"
AS her graceful form disappeared in
the elevator cage Tennis turned back
into mis- office.
'veli. by JoveE" he murmurcl. He