Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-01-18
John Grayson, Hero
by Will T. Hale.
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copyright, 1900, the Authors syndicAte)

IA" III his hutiNe toWH, huperJ
Thomas was soon well on the road to
success. But notwithstanding his
hattering practice and the probability
of his becoming the next state sena-
tor from his district, he one day closed
his Office without warning to his
friends, and, going to Washington, be-
came newspaper correspondent.
When young man, handsome and
prosperous, makes squirt like that
the public is apt to wink and sug-
gest that there is woman in the
case. That was precisely what Ru-
perts friends said. Indeed, it did not
require any great perspicacity ON
their part to comprehend the situa-
ton. Was not the recent visit of Miss
Lady Tobias to the community fresh
in their minds. and were not the gos-
sips still talking of his infatuation for
her?
Early in the summer before the au-
tumn in which he located in Washing
ton, the old Tobias homestead had
been put in excellent repair, and Lady
and her mother. leaving Mr.. Tobias
immersed in his business in his adopt
ed city, occupied it in preference to
spending the season abroad
IT. was the birthplace of Mr.. Tobias.
The first months of his married life
were spent there: but that was quite
awhile ago, for they moved away
when Lady was two years of age, and
now she was IS. 1t was because the
daughter desired IL that the summer
was to be passed at the ancestral
home.
1t goes without saying that Lady at
once stirred up the society of the
sleepy old college town. It's younger
members, before her arrival. had
fancied themselves in the forefront of
fashion and fashionable ways; but her
beauty, her costumes and the viva
cious manners which the conservative
designated as fast" took theiE
breath. Who had ever dreamed that
the hair could be pompadoured to
such an extreme height as hers? And(
wasn't her familiarity with the young
men boldness itself? Indeed, beauty
was to be desired-but she showed
too much consciousness of hers!
SO the gossip ran, but In the mean
time she was bringing the young men
to her feet in way to win the hate
Of all the other girls. Lady was
aware of the gossip and dislike, but
continued to find enjoyment in aston
ishing the natives.
One of the last to become infatuated
with the visiting belle was Rupert
Thomas. Though slow to yield to her
charms, he was completely smitten
when he did yield; and one would have
to travel far to find a sensible young
man as desperately in love.
"There is not girl in town whose
hand he could not have for the ask
ing" observed wise one. "He knows
it, and yet has never availed himself
of the advantage. But there's no mis-
take now--he's in the power of Miss
Tobias, and if I'm any judge of wom-
en-, she'll throw him overheard by the
end of the summer!"
To tell the truth, the young lady
did mean to trifle with handsome Ru-
pert Thomas, but for some reason.
when the Irritation had progressed
some weeks she evinced desire to rel
cede from her resolution. Was 1t be-,
cause she was already tired of the
game, or through a suddenly aroused
conscience? Those versed in feminine
nature might have explained that her
changed attitude was due to the laws
of self-preservation-s became con-.
vinced at last that it was not safe q
play with fire. In other words, 81
found that she was caring more fo
him than she expected; then, woman
like, she disclosed the growing affec-
tion more plainly by her GOODNESS and
shyness than coquettes usually do by
melting looks and soft answers.
Mrs. Tobias became interested at
this point also. One day Lady re-
turned from ride with Rupert, and
was silent and absent-minded all the
evening.
81 believe you have gone far enough
with Mr.. Thomas, Lady" observed
Mrs. Tobias, allowing the novel she
was reading to drop on her lap. "You
must not forget the other young man.
While he has just accepted clerkship
In the department at Washington, re-
member that this is not because he is
IL; - &. ia ,e,n 81
the wealthiest of our set; he loves
you, and it would be too bad for YOU
to demonstrate the truth of the aver
ment that absence conquers love-
while he is proving that labor is hon-l
orable. Now, Rupert Thomas" 1
"There it is again, mammal" eQ
claimed Lady, petulantly. "Forgi
me, did not intend to be cross to II
best mother in the world! But L
wish you would not talk about low
It's hateful theme. ] care for
one enough to become his wife-aI
never will There!"
In spite of her fears for Lad.
marital prospects, Mrs. Tobias had
smile little at her daughters
petuous words. Then she said befd
resuming her novel:
Having been girl, ] know v
the last sentence amounts to.
won't recall ii when the right
comes along But remember my
vice. Mr. Thomas is not "A suit3
match. He's comparatively poor
Now, as to that, Mr.. Thomas is
match for anyone" interrupted Lad
''While he is nothing to me, still wo
be poor friend not to say that n
for him"
That's as much as you could
anybody" laughed Mrs. Tobia2
let the subject go by. / k e