Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-11-21

assumption of taciturnity developed
into taciturnity. He put on the pessi-
mist's spectacles, and saw nothing
but life's little ironies. And then one
day it was all shattered, and Gideon
became a new man with living fire
within him. He loved a woman.
This was his great chance. He told
himself that where love is life is, after
all, a priceless thing. And Gideon
loved with all the strength of heart
and mind. He even dared to hope, in
spite of his inyeterate shyness. 1t
was as if some spirit had troubled
him as Bethesda's Pool was troubled
in old time. But when he would have
stepped down someone had been be-
fore him. His love returned into his
own bosom. 1t was terrible; but the
strength of the man closed over his
despair. Gideon was no coward to
weep or vince, but he turned death
ly eye Heavenwards. Destiny might
break, it should never bend, him.
After this, Gideon Beth shut him
self up with his books. Fifteen years
passed and carried him beyond the
prime of life, and made of him a tall,
spare man with a slight stoop,
dropping white moustache, and clear
eye. Fifteen years spent with the
thoughts of other men had not
changed his individuality to any ex-
tent The face was a little more COM
posed in its sternness, that was all.
When DR.. Ross entered the room
Gideon was buried in a deep wicker
chair, with a reading lamp placed be-
hind his right shoulder, and books
everywhere. He now turned to look
at his visitor. The doctor was one
of the few men with whom he cared
to converse, and the former did not
hold the privilege lightly.
"Sit down." said Gideon, closing his
book over his thumb and pointing
it at a chair. The doctor thanked
him genially, though inwardly trou-
bled as to the best method of open
ing the subject upon which he had
called. "That's a fat book you are
reading" said he.
Spencer"
"Ah Fairy Queen or 'Philoso-
phy'?"
81 do not read poetry"
"Then / conclude it's the philoso-
pher. 1 do read poetry; and very sad
some of it is, too"
"You waste your time"
The doctor smiled "Tnere was a
man named Longfellow-"
"Quite so; we all read him when we
are young"
"--who has made for himself
place in thousand hearts. But when
I read poetry was not speaking so
much of printed words. Be patient
with me for five minutes. l have
been studying the opening chapters
of child's life. She is little girl,
age 10. Five years ago she lost her
father"
Gideon's father had not been quite
worthy of the name, so to this re-
mark he paid small attention.
"And two years later" continued
DR.. Ross, "her mother"
Gideon Beth's face grew stern, as
it always did when he judged Provi-
dence.
'The child was left alone with an
elder sister. This sister was plucky
girl, and the wolf at the door didn't
brighten her."
"Ah!" said Gideon, who had fought
that wolf himself. He remembered
that in the day he had been more than
equal to the combat. The wolf fights
best at night.
"a week ago the sister was taken
i'll. 1 did all in my power to save so
precious a life, but l failed. The child
is now friendless."
Gideon Beth's eyes flashed suddenly,
and he brought his clenched fist
heavily down. "Alone IN the world!
And this case but one of many! Who
cares? Nobody, no one!"
80 mighty mani" said the doctor
beneath his breath, as he heard these
ordinations of bitter spirit. And
then he wondered who was the more
fricndless of the two-the child or
the man. He concluded that it was
not the child. And more than ever he
pited the solitary man who needed
/ tho love of some simple nature to eX-
pand and sweeten his own
Gideon's passion passed as quickly
as it had risen. "Why do you tell me
this?" he demanded. els this your
poetry"
~ call it so. Some day we shall
better understand its metre"
Gideon shrugged his shoulders as he
replied: "You have strange views.
Tell me, what is to be done about
this girl?"
1t was with difficulty that the doc
tor concealed his qualification at the
question. A daring idea suggested
itself to him.
"Come and see her." he said.
The other thought for moment.
'I don't know why 1 should" he said
petulantly. cit is. late. After all, it
is nothing to me-"
"As you will" said DR.. Ross, rising.
Pardon me for suggesting it, only
1 am passing that way myself, and
1 thought you might care TO accom-
pany me- It's a queer case. The
childs loss seems to have numbed her
mental faculties. However, good
night"
"Wait a moment. 1 will come"
"That is kind" said the doctor
frankly.
Gideon glanced at him suspiciously,
hut said nothing. The two men passed
out into the dark street.
They reached their destination,
were admitted, and together softly
assembled the narrow, rickety stairs
TO the top landing. "This is the
ROOM" said the doctor, gently turn
ing the handle of the door. The
child did not hear him. Save for the