The hatchet. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1883-19??, 1900-06-24
A MODEL MAN

Hamilton knew how a man should
conduct himself. This was a great
factor in his favor. When the con-
servative people of LaxtOn suddenly
found such a man as this in their
midst they received him with open
arms.
In time 1t became no uncommon oc-
currence to speak of Hamilton as the
model man." lie grew accustomed to
this distinction, and did everything In
his power to hold the title the people
Of the village bestowed upon him.
He became vertable encyclopedia
I'm affairs of love. He was consulted
by every one on every phase of the
ualady. No young man Of the town
thought it anything to lay bare his
heart to Hamilton.
Hamilton sat writing one evening
when Appleby, "the serious man.
was announced. 81 say, Han, want
to see you about something" were his
words on entering the room.
well, we'll old fellow" began Ham.
llton, 1okingly, IL hope you haven't
sat into it, too, l thought you were
GreprOof."
Il thought so, too, Ham, but fellow
never can tell. Why, do you know,
I'm actually losing my appetite"
You must have advanced quite far"
said Hamilton. How long has this
been going onY
Don't ask me-" replied Appleby.
"All ! want is your advice. DO you
think | had better go on or let the
matter dropY
Whats to cause you to let the mat.
ter dropY asked Hamilton. seating
himself more erect in his chair.
"A third party" was Appleby's
brief reply.
'And what does she think of him2"
'She says she does not care for him;
says she never did"
Don't you believe her, Ap?" asked
Hamilton, earnestly.
when l am with her" began APP.
plehy his voice faltering, l believe
every word she says. 1t never occurs
to me that she could utter anything
hut the golden truth. But when / am
away from her l think of what has
transpred, and l see plainer-I think
deeper"
"fet the girl alone" interrupted
Hamilton.
At this sudden outburst Appleby
started. He met HamiltOn's penetrat-
ing gaze and read in it the fact that
Hamilton meant what he said. Apple
by was silent. Hamiltons advice was
rot what he expected: he did not like
il.
But, Ham," said he at length, "do
you know what you are asking? 1t Is
impossible. The girl Is HOrtense Ran.
dali"
Hamilton moved to the window and
pfn at int 10.
fare below his heart beating strangely
Mt what he had heard:
"By iove," began Reginald Craven,
edo you know, could hardly wait to
toll YOU Pm in love. AS sure as
you're alive it's got hold of me. Hor-
tense Randal's the girl. An admirable
creature. Hamilton. Her father has
all he wants, too. She's the only chlld,
you know, and by jove, she's a great
one, She says she likes AppIeby, he's
so serious. She has never told me why
he likes me, but she does just the
same. She wouldn't tolerate me II she
didn't would she, Hamilton
"Wtll," began the latter In his meas.
ured way, "Hortense Randall is not
like other girls. ! would not put loo
much faith in her."
"Bless your soul, / don't have faith
in any girls. Take it altogether, it's
an age of degeneration; don't you
think sop
Leave the girl alone"
1t was the second time Hamilton had
uttered the words, and they were now
uttered with more emphasis than on
the previous occasion.
mot for the world" declared Craven.
''I'd he miserable without her. bear
Applehy no ill-will, but I'm not 60
ing to leave the field to him alone
Much obliged" and with hasty strides
he walked away.
When the coming of the wedding
arrived, in the midst Of all that was
beautiful and costly, Hortense Randall
was picture as she stood before the
mirror for n final look. From. the top
of her head, where nestled the frag.
rant orange blossoms, to the feet
dainty incased in daintiest slippers, all
seemed TO be a shlmmering haze.
Two hours later Hortense and her
husband were seated In car. 4 gay
chattering was going on In the car,
rlpples of laughter intermingling.
"Well old fellow, this is surprise.
Where are you bound for? What
have you been doing with yourself
latelyT
When Hortense raised her eyes she
beheld stranger at her husbands
side. The good-natured face was
wreathed with smiles and the hand he
extended met that of Hortenses hus-
band in a hearty grasp
"Ive been getting married. Mr..
Moreland, this is my wife"
Moreland's eyes met those of Hor-
tense for an instant, and then in his
pleasing way he said, accept my good
wishes, Mrs. Hamilton. ! congratulate
You, Ham,"
The cry Of "all aboard came In
through the open window, there was
Changing Of bells and the train moved
out of the depot.-Home Magazine.
There are twelve men in Chichester