The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-10-30
BEFORE the Leave Taking.

yyos in tho air, ana IL sce1neu Ine 30
r;ol question would if possible absorb
The political ono. x street was crowd
oI for it was "Cabinot Day." and two
n,ombers of the Presidents official
family resided there within square OF
each other.
"Somc people just think they are en-
;o,,;nu themselves" Richard Stacy ex-
claimed, indicating with his cano tho
stream of callers pouring into tho Sec
rctary's door. ~ - Hon.
"Thcy arc not after pleasure tt.ho, "
WOW Johnston replied, smiling, "they
arc following the band" ,,o
Tbc two men had walked INTO inc
strect tooether and stood in front OF
Jnhnston's homo watching tho scene.
On. vanity Of vanitios,
How wsyward tho docroos OF fato arc;
How ycry woak tho vory wiso,
How worry small the vory groat are'
Stacy quotod-following his friend
into tho house.
They left their top coats in the hall
and went directly to tho library. The
low book cases lining the walls were
filled with handsome volumes, some OF
them rare and difficult TO obtain, ana
the center table was covered with mag
azinos and journals, scientific and po-
litical. A bronze head Of Minerva
held the letters and loose papers on the
desk in place.
Stacy seated himself IN an easy
chair and appropriated footstool.
uThoughts arc battling with each
other for q channel Of utteranco in
this room," he said, glanclng up at the
busts of statesmen standing guard over
the books, "no wonder your editorials
are q surprise TO your friendsl"
Harvey was amused. "But my va
liant illusions are launched from the
Office down town."
"Nonsensc," tho army officer per-
sisted, ~ do not care where they are
written they arc inspired in this room,
| believe in this chair"
Johnston was looking for box Of
cigars.
III thought these could not be lost"
he said, placing the Havanas before
his guest.
1t was growing dark, and the fire
had become the significant light in the
library. Clouds of smoke curled lazlly
above their heads.
ssI wish you would not leave Wash
ington tonight. want you to go to
the Warrens' with me, they made quite
point of your coming" Johnston
said.
At first Stacy way back in his chair
seemed too comfortable to reply, then
he leaned forward. SIT is out of the
question, old man, claim a social
furlough when away from home."
"Tcll nc, Dick ?" the editor watched
the rings Of blue vapor as he spoke,
"wcrc you ever hard hit?''
eff | understand you, no."
But the question aroused his inter-
est. "Halvey," he continued, "do
you remember picture that hangs IN
my room TO the right as you enter ?"
Johnston nodded, look of genuine
amusement showing in his eyes.
cit was copied from rough draw
inE | made III war times" Stacy left
his seat, and stood with his back to the
fire. "Today thought l saw that
face again it was omcwhat older and
very much saddcr. l was going to the
Navy Department 10 see McNairy and
passed hcr as l crossed the avenue
from Lafayette Square"
The servant came in to light the gas
Many carriages rolled by outside, an
nouncing the fact that the Secretary's
home for the present had lost it's i'm
Portancc as the gathering place o.
fashion.
Harry watched his friend with in
creasing interest. "I shall induce you
to remain over another day." he de-
cldcd mentally, "upon tho chance of
meeting this love of long ago, and take
you with me to the Warrcns' tonight.o
when Stacy was presented to Miss
clarke, OF Tennessee, that evening he
was conscious of sudden exhilara-
ton.
"Of Tennessee ?" he repeated.
Inc notes of low music filled the
mouse, palms waved their graceful
ironds from inches and archways, and
Drilllant women, and what is better,
beautiful ones, moved from room to
room.
"a good many years ago,n Stacy
said, 81 was much interested in a far..-
ny named Gray; they lived twelve or
hlteen miles from Memphis. The old
e. Aoui sous, nc went ON
iemlnlscently, "were in tho Confed-
eiate army, but he dispensed a lordly
hospitality, and later when an order
was issued to destroy his fine ancestral
i n",ne we We're able to prevent its exc
Isabel ! Clarke smiled brilliantly.
-. lhe Irays are my dear Friends -
bao., no oNclalined, "and I have often
irentiss dropped on her knees bofnra %
the handsome young officer onS
PLEADED so eloquently with him that he
revoked the order to burn her ouor'
dian's home" She glanced up into
Col. Stacy's face. II conclude @ vo,,
are The manr' W"
He bowed his head in assent. .Ten
me-" he said earnestly, "what has he.
come of the Grays, of Miss Prentiss9,,