Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-01-02

ways existed between the two heads
of the Lawton family because, being
twins, neither brother, and conse-
quently, neither brothers wife, could
boast supremacy. The household OF
James Lawton, Luclla's father,
claimed prestige by reason of greater
wealth, that of Joseph Lawton, Toms
adopted father, on account of social
position.
The James Lawtons, though emf
nently respectable, and well thought OF
by everybody, were not sin society
They had, in fact, always professed
themselves as not desiring to be, but
when Mrs. Joseph Lawton announced
the engagement of her daughter Ger
trude to one of the brightest social
lights of the town, Mrs. James Lawton
at once decided in her secret heart
that the wedding would be an auspi-
cious occasion for Lucilla to make her
debut in Riverdale society.
The wedding day approached and
large number of invitations were
sent out from the handsome house on
the hill, but none came addressed to
"Mr. James Lawton and family"
That gentleman's wife held her head
high, and to the other members of the
family, who had all been hidden to the
nuptials, she declared herself indif-
ferent to the slight. They, not liking
to become involved in a matter so del
icate, said as little as possible about
1t to her, and nothing at all in the
other house.
When the wedding day came, Ger
trude, who was in her room being
dressed in the white gown and the
filmy white veil a woman wears but
once in her life, sent downstairs for
her girl cousins.
They focked into the room, fresh,
rosy-cheeked bevy, all eager for a
glimpse of the bride. "Where is Lu-
cilla?" asked Gertrude, after they had
kissed her. For a moment there was
an awkward pause, and then by de-
grees the whole thing came out.
Mrs. Joseph Lawton paused in her
task of giving the last touches to the
brides hair before rejoining her
guests, and with uplifted brush de-
clared that James Lawton's invitation
had gone with the others. 81 addressed
it myself" cried Gertrude. "And Tom
mailed it," added her mother.
Lucilla went over all these details
in her mind as she walked slowly home
along the pleasant street. For herself
she had been quite willing to accept
the word of her aunt and cousins that
the invitation had been sent, but her
father and mother took another view
of the matter, and after the eXplana.
tion which Mrs. Joseph Lawton called
to give on the day after the wedding, |
was followed by stony silence on the
part of her hostess, the rivalry be-
tween the two households became an
open breach.
This was why when Tom told Luz
ella that he loved her, the young
couple were obliged to keep their en-
gagement a secret.
That evening after the prayer meet
ing Lucilla and her mother started to
walk home under the stars. They had |
gone but a few steps when Mrs. Law
ton recollected an important some
thing she had forgotten to say to the
minister's wife and went back into the |
church.
"Lucilla," said a voice at the girls |
side, and Tom stepped out from the
shadow.
They had but a moment together,
but the briefest moments are boons |
to lovers.
did you go to the meeting?" asked
Luclla.
yes" answered Tom, "and it's
lucky did. But for my vote the thing
would have been a tie and the chances
are we should have had no new town
hall. AS it is, we are to put up fine
one. They will begin to tear the old
building down on Monday, so as to be
ready to break ground as soon as the
spring opens. When shall I see you
again. dear? 1t is hateful to me to have
to skullI about to meet you as though
our love were something to be ashamed
of when"
At this moment the approach of his
aunt sent Tom back into the shadow
again.
On the day before Christmas Lucilla,
who was in the kitchen, superintend-
ing the preparations of such portions
of the feast as could be prepared in
advance, was surprised to see her
mother enter the room dressed for the
street.
"You need not do the errands this
morning, Lucilla," she said; "I'll go
myself. Now get a pencil and paper
and help me to think what we need"
81 wonder what put it into mothers
head to do the errands on such busy
day." Lucilla said to herself a little
later as she watched Mrs. Lawton
through window. 81 wish she had let
me go instead; might have met Tom"
Had Lucilla followed her mother she
would have been more surprised still,
for Mrs. James Lawton had not pro-
ceeded far from her home when, on
turning a corner, she found herself
face to face with Mrs. Joseph Lawton,
and these two ladies who had not been
on bowling terms since the unlucky
episode of the lost invitation, on this
occasion accosted one another simu;-
taneously.
81 was on my way to your house."
said Mrs. James Lawton, and 81 was
Just coming to see YOU" was the 9TH
er's greeting.
Mrs. James Lawton looked with quiv-
ering lips at her brothers wife, whose
eyes had filled with tears. MARY"
she said 81 don't know whether you
sent that invitation or not, but I'm 60
ing to try to believe that you did, and
want you and Joseph to come to our
house to dinner tomorrow and bring
those of the family who accepted your
invitation with you"
WAroanda - returned Mrs Iosanh !