Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-07-03
NUMBER
By Hon. Mary Cavendish

QEtdul vi lSd-COoy. OhO NoNSO q
much ieweled hand at the offending
article, and the girl nearest to her
laughed lightly.
Its truly awful, Aunt Janet" she
replied, feelingly.
And it was. On a groundwork
of khaki satin was embroidered a
resplendant union-jack, underneath
was a group, chiefly in scarlet, OF
"Soldiers of the King" At, least so
ran the legend underneath the odd
little figures. Otherwise they might
have been confused with the inhabi-
tants of some antediluvian ark.
Lady Allenbury gave a little de-
spairing sigh.
"The duchess worked it herself"
she said, turning to her niece beside
her. And none will buy it, and she'll
be so hurt. What shall we do with
it, Dorothy?"
81 should rattle it," replied the girl,
rather indifferently.
She did not seem to be finding the
bazaar very amusing. She was
pretty, fragile-looking girl, with a
delicate pink color, and a pair of blue
eyes with dark shadows underneath
them.
Lady Allenbury heaved another
sigh, this time of relief.
"The very thing" she exclaimed.
evil you take it round, darling? Let
me see, you must have some one to
go with you to bother the people.
Oh, there's George Fraser, the very
person. George, come here; l want
you to be very useful"
A good-looking boy in immaculate
white fannels sauntered up lazily.
He lifted his straw hat with its gun
ner ribbon to Lady Allenbury and the
girls behind to- stall. Anything l
can do?" he asked, goOd-humoredly.
Eyes, there's good boy, and then
l will invite you to tea tomorrow. "
Her ladyship seized the offending
work of art. You see this CHASTITY
tea-cosy? We can't sell it, so Dorothy
suggests it should be ratified. You
and she can take it round. You know
my niece, don't you? Mr.. Fraser,
Miss Seton" the last words in the
usual unintelligible humble that
passes for an introduction.
For the first time the boy looked
at the girl who had been standing
behind her aunt's ample form. Her
face had lost little of its delicate
color, and as his eyes met hers he
started with a little exclamation of
surprise. Lady Allenbury observed
the start, but did not see her niece'S
face.
You know each other already?
that's right" she said, easily. Nov
trot off, there's good children, and
don't come back with that abomina-
ton. Twenty-Five shillings, remem-
Der; not a penny less, or the duch-
ess will never forgive me-" And she
turned back to the stall under the
happy impression of having reunited
two old friends. Hes dear boy,
George Fraser" she observed to the
two girls who were helping her,
land he's just come back from the
front. 1 didn't know he and Dor
othy had met before" She turned
to persuade stout and apoplectic-
looking gentleman that the green
velvet waistcoat, embroidered in pink
silks, would be eminently becoming
to his person.
Both girls were looking after the
retreating figures of Miss Seton and
her companion. Their quick young
ewes had observed what Lady Allen
burys had not, that Dorothy went
very unwillingly.
The girl in the pink hat was wish
ing that she had had Miss Seton's
chance of spending half an hour with
such an notwithstanding boy. She
would willingly have changed places
with the reluctant Dorothy. The
other girl who knew Dorothy better
was feeling sorry for her. She saw.
without in the least understanding,
"that some one had Numbered" and
guessed that her friend was not en-
ioying herself. She glanced tender
~ at a diamond ring on her own fin
ger, and thought of it's connection
with a man in South Africa. Perhaps
this was why she could sympathize
with Dorothy.
George Fraser found himself en-
bracing an enormous and cOnspicu-
Gus tea cosy, and walking beside the
one girl he had not expected to meet.
Jolly thing, this" he said, nerv-
ously, clasping the tea cosy a little
closer.
81 am glad you admire it," re-
marked Miss Seton, loftily. She
looked straight in front of her.
1t was disconcerting. He waited
for her to speak next, but when she
cid it was a little disappointing.
"Perhaps we had better invite some
one to take a rattle ticket" she sug-
gested, in quiet, Indifferent tones.
Eyes. Let's try this old lady" His
voice matched hers to perfection in
its careless indifference. He did not
guess how it hurt her.
They waylaid an elderly lady, who
proved favorable, pronounced the tea
cosy too sweet and patriotic for
words" and took three tickets, with
the fervent hope that she might
prove the lucky winner.
you're sure to-" assured George
audaciously. He felt better now the
ice was broken, and by the time that
IL or IA little tickets had been dis
posed of he ventured on the remark
that had been on his lips for the last
20 minutes.
81 did not expect to meet you
here" he said, trife nervously.
Dorothy appeared to be counting
her money in the little bag at her
/ side