Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-02-15

| he was never uDle 10 say
The next day the agony increased;
there was no sign. Mr. eddie fell plump
into the depths of despair, and was
convinced that he had offended bis lady
love. He had not been properly intro
duced; the phrase became perfect
nightmare to him.
But the second day there was the
bouquet in the window In all its glory,
and, moreover, Miss HeXham was bend
ing over it, inhaling its perfume. She
was a beautiful woman; not too young
for a man-ahem-in his prime. The
wonder was that such treasure had
not been snapped up before.
Markham eddie wrote to Mrs. Hex
ham. 1t took him hours and hours to
compose the letter, and it was the most
1eliciously old-fashioned epistle ever
penned in a practical century. Two
whole days elapsed before a little note
came in reply:
"Mrs. HeXham presents her compli-
ments to Mr.. Markham Oddie, and
would be pleased to see him, if he could
make it convenient to call this evening
between eight and nine o'clock"
The note was formal one; but when
the agitated little old bachelor was
shown into the sitting-room at Holm
wood, Mrs. Hexham, who was alone, re-
ceived him with very kindly smile
Her eyes looked as if she had been
crying.
"Please take seat" she said. ut
has been very close all day, has tnotY
"Terribly," answered the visitor do
YOU feel the heat muchW
eyes. l am afraid 1 do" was the re-
plv. and Mr.. Oddie suddenly recollected
that his future mother-in-law was said
to be deaf and dumb. This lady was
certainly neither.
"My daughter" said Mrs. Hexhamr
after a pause, desired me to tell you
how very, very grateful she is to you
for YOUR letter and the flowers. She
has gone away for a short time to stay
with friends. She-she thought 1t
best"
Mr.. Oddie sat there, unable to utter
a word. "She had gone away, because
she thought it best" That meant that
there was no hope for him.
Mrs. Hexham's eyes filed with tears
as she looked at him. "Oh," she cried
81 am so sorry-so very sorry! You are
such a good, kind-hearted man, am
sure. Of course, you did not know, OF
you would not have thoughtofit."
Thought of what?" asked Mr.. Oddie
heavily.
"Of marrying my poor Agatha. You
did not know that she is deaf anc
dumb?"
Mr.. Oddie stared at the speaker in
blank amazement. 1t was fully min
ute before he grasped the significance
of what she was saying. 1t was The
daughter, not the mother, who was
afflicted" as Mrs. Roper would have
phrased it. He was silent, and Mrs
Hexham continued:
"My poor girl is over-sensitive, an(
YOUR kindness went to her heart, car
assure YOU"
Mr.. Oddie pulled himself together
and rose to his feet. At this momen
there was something almost NOBLE
about his rather tubby little figure.
Madam" he said, firmly, "you
daughter is an angel, and 1 love her
Will you have the goodness to give mi
her address-that is, if you will sane
ton my asking her to do me the homo
to be my wife,"
at seems rather unconventional,
she said; "but it is not exactly an or
binary case, is it? And I am sure yo'
are good man. Mr.. Sedley, the vicar
was talking about you only the othe
day, and saying how charitable yo'
were. Agatha has the sweetest dispo
sition, and she is so quick you hardI
realize that she is not like other people
indeed, think you would be very HAP
Ply together"
81 think we three would be very haT
by together" answered Mr.. Oddie, en-
phasizing the three" He took tn
widows hand and kissed it with old
fashioned gallantry.
1t is unnecessary to mention at wha
unearthly hour Mr.. Oddie required h'
breakfast the next morning, or to stat
that he hardly ate a mouthful of it.
In the afternoon of the same da
Mrs. Hexham might have been see
reading telegram, with a beamin
face. It was not long one, for it cor
tanned only five words: "Love fror
Agatha and Markham."-Sketch.