Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-11-01
A PRECIOUS TRUST
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order department, and who frequent
w came to him, in his position as man
ager of the cloth department, to match
samples or order goods. On one OF
these occasions he discovered that
Iona lived in the same suburb as he
did. He found out, too, that they gen.
orally went out of the city at the same
hour. on the same train. On learning
which his spirits rose like toy bal
loon. To be sure, Iona was pretty
girl. She possessed not only beauty
but distinction. She held her slender
Young body so erectly, she spoke SC
frankly, but also with such dignified
reserve, and she was so earnest and
so conscientious in doing the work in
trusted to her that Will Merrivell for
got while in her presence to give the
firm his best duty and attention.
But. then, Merrivell was extremely
susceptible. If he had not been SO
susceptible it is quite unlikely that he
would have been confded with pre-
cious trust. And if he had not been
selected for the honor conferred upon
him he and Iona might never have pro-
ceedcd beyond the boundaries where
the courtesies of casual acquaintance
cease. Indeed. she did not feel suffi'
cienty familiar with him to mention
the fact Of her intention to stay an
hour later in town than usual on one
particular afternoon, although she had
come down to Merrivell that morning
for six yards of lavender broadcloth to
be sent o a lady living in Arizona.
"Bot day" remarked Merriven. Ut
will be fine to get away early"
DELIGHTFUL" assented Iona.
But she did not enter the Northwest
ern depot at her ordinary hour, al
though VIII paced up and down just
without the railing, and watched the
great gates until his train had come
and gone. Surely she would be here
before the next train was due to leave
The thought of sitting beside her as
the train rushed out of the smoky city
into the beautiful green suburbs was
delightful. He might even get up cour.
age to ask to call! And if permitted
to do so, how kind he would be tc
Bobby-if only Bobby would keep still
about their little alteration. Bobby
had stretched a string across the side
walk. Merrivell, running for the train
had fallen over it and skinned his shins
Observing the culprit, he had promptly
grabbed him and given him chastiSe
ment brief but effective. Confound it
How was he to know that the little red
headed wretch was the brother of thi!
charming girl? He would fall ovel
strings all the way from Melrose K
State streets, if only
81 beg your pardon, madam"
His hat was in his hand and he wal
bowling profoundly to a lady will
whom he had almost collided when h
had turned so abruptly in his impetu
Gus walk.
do not mention it," cried the lady
who was young and pale and of almos
tragic appearance. She was handsome
too. but evidently grief was responsible
for the wild expression of her large blacl
ewes and the piteous trembling of he
lips. She wore deep mourning. Sh
was apparently foreigner. But yo1
will help me. sir? am in desperation
Two hours from now l take train t.
the west. came down here to max
arrangements for leaving. At my no
tel 1 forgot some important papers.
must return at once and secure them
In the meantime may I beg of yor
10 undertake the care of my darlin
Snowfower? 1t is a precious trus
and one which I would not confide t
every stranger. Is this asking to
much, sir?"
Merrivell, the susceptible, Merrive.
the gallant, bowed still more courtt
/ ouslv. II am honored," he assured hel
"bighly honored! Consider me at you
seryice!'
lie felt iubilant. This was an OF
portunity. Now, when Iona Wray al
rived. size would see with what gentle
ness. with what tenderness he care
for this child of a strangerl She woul
appreciate all the lovely depths Of hi
sympathy! She would be incredulou
Of the statements of that red-heade
.. Bobby! She might even think Bobb
I deserved corporal reproval. And, whe
she passed through the gates alor
what a lingering glance would she nt
. send tack 20 him where he sat carin
: fer tle child of lonely young widow
= lie v1u.d smile sadly in answer, an
she would realize that it was only h
sense of chivalry which kept him fro
her side. And all the way out she
: So deep was he in the delicious drea
he did not perceive the return of IL
black-eyed stranger until she was clio!
beside him.
!, "You are so kind I shall now fe
perfectly safe about my little darlin
1 shall soon be back!"
Then she disappeared, and Merrivt
II found himself staring down upon Il
: big, covered basket she had thrust
his hand. Halo! What kind of gan
was this? Her darling Snowfowe
Her precious trust! Was the child
; the basket? Was the child dead? W
n he to be involved in an ugly myster,
= His face blanched. A cold sweat bro
|. out on his forehead. He could feel
/ trickling down his cheeks. He glar
: wildly around. He sank weakly dov
- on the bench, never relaxing his gr
a. OF the heavy basket. Should he cut
& it and run? Wouldn't that arouse 81
picion? Or-merciful heavensl He
Y was Iona Wray now-coming direct
/ towards him, and looking sweet as
r. rose in her thin summer gown and b