davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1902-12-21

would be the gentlest way Of letting
/ this artist lover down?
All. she had ~ Mr.. FHby was return
ing 70 town on the morrow She had his
London address. and would write there
letter. which would reach him soon
after his arrival home, explaining as
best she might her previous commit
ment to another. II was an easy ant
capital solution OF the difficulty.
The plan was no sooner settled than
put into effect. Flossie took from a
drawer paper and pen. and after a little
cogitatiOn fashioned the epistle. She
read IL through approved. sealed and
stamped the envelope. She would run
out and post it herself the first thing ia
the morning.
Her mind at ease. Flossie got into bed
and was soon asleep. Had she only re-
mained awake little longer. she would
have heard the stairs creak under pass
ing footsteps, and the old inn door
squeak as it wss being stealthily closed
Directly she was MP next morning
FIossie went out and posted her letter
A clustering gale was raging and the
wind lashed ferccIy I'm her face but her
mission was far too important to admit
Of delay. On returning TO tine inn she
ran in the passage into the arms OF Bell
the barman.
oh, miss, I was looking for you cv-
Tr .Irfr
lor as wants 20 see you most partic lar. %
who, Beu?"
"A sailor man I should reckon by his
rig-out He seems most excited"
Wondering who her visitor could be at
this early hour. Flossle turned the han
die Of the parlor door. A man whom
she recognized as one Of the local coast
guards rose and touched his forehead.
Beg pardon for disturbing you so
early. miss. but I've some very bad
news. There's been, Pm afraid, another
case Of suicide from the Scarborough
cliff"
Who" qucried Flossic, turning pale.
"A gent as I've had one or two chats
with Of late. I don't know his name,
but he was stopping Sorc be told me. One
OF those painter chaps"
mir. Fubya You can't mean it,. You
must be mistaken" A wild look came
into the girls eyes
Don't think ] am. Perhaps you rec
oguize these articles"
Going TO the back OF the chair uuou
The Washington times., 1902-12-21

4 bridesmaids. bouquets and blessings
and''-his temporary excitement had let
] him--he added dirty;
And il pays Now go. old chap.
must get my stun done for the early
post, and Chum went out while Noei
turned again to his interrupted work.
Between each line on every page
quaint turns OF expression. quaint
thoughts haunted him. dead past spoke
to him.
The girl-wife had been very sweet
very loyable. very beautifui-and had
marred two lives.
There should be a special place Of tor
ment for the person who deliberately
comes between two people who love each
other and smilingly warps two lives.
Pearl Clayton was as easily led as a
child. soft. emotional weak little wo-
man. and when Noel returned from q iew
days holiday he found the house closed
and Fearl and Baby had departed
Noel driIted for a little bit. and the
shock unnamed him terribly. but his
pen was his sole source Of income. and
q
to be kept together. and in very few
weeks he had. to some extent. regaineI
his mental balance. and his work i'm
proved
The eve Of Christmas and the day it-
self appeals to most hearts. and on this
particular eve Noel kept thinking 3ack
and thinking back while he wrote.
How well he remembered the extra
sized stocking he induced the nurse 10
knit. and how bulky il looked and felt
on Christmas morning. And then came
school. college. and then married ife.
When the scribbling III was on him
Pearl used to draw her low wicker chair
close 20 his writing-table, knitting. or
daintily lingering white material. soft.
and downy. and fluffy for the prospec-
tive wearer, and the few remarks she
made seemed TO chime in and identify
themselves with what he was writing:
but. Of course. all this happened five
years ago.
One odd little trick Pearl had. and
Noel remembered it this evening-and
missed it,
When his pen was working extra busily
she used 20 lay the tips OF her fingers
upon his right hand-just where hand
meets wrist. She did not incommode
him in the least He declared her touch
inspired him; they were such pink
tipped fingers. and so small and he had
often written with the tiny touch on his
wrist almost unconsciously-only peep
ing up from time to time. at a sweet oval
face. into deep violet eyes love lit.
But. Of course. this was five years ago.
So he wrote on, feeling a little bit
sorry that Chum had not stayed. for af-
ter all he only had another half hours
work before him, and then they could
sit and chat. and perhaps drown the
sound Of the bells that he knew would
ring out in few hours
He was just in the frame Of mind 10
summon his landlady's children. but ex-
cept for himself. the house was empty
There was a Christmas Eve party going
on. and Mrs. Marsh and her progeny
were attending it.
He had been writing for half an hour
since Chum had left him. and he felt the
old familiar touch on his wrist. 1t was
imagination, of course; he did not even
turn his head. and then he was looking
into blue eyes. in the round golden-curl-
ed framed face Of boy OF four. who
The Washington times., 1902-12-21

laughed up az him and presented a rose
I bud to be kissed.
Goodness. child-where on earth do
you ccme from. and who-who brought
{ Tou2 What is your nafne2"
Erie and the child began to make
separations for climbing a lofty knee
What brought you here. Baby Eric?
/ dow did you come ."
| Noel felt like an Irish member Of Par
lament, for mo answer was given. "
but wee form full OF hugs and kisses
sot fast hold upon him. and said grave
D.. and yet with a sweet air Of COM
mand.
Just come'd-a1d now if you're not
loo busy. mister Father"
Yes, my son"
-'P'rap5-Td better go TO bed"
But my child-my little son-who
brought you here? Where is your moth
ere" and the tan man. suddenly releas-
ing his hrst-horn. paced up and down.
or course, Chrm had left the door open.
and someone had tUid the child TO walk
straight in-and the child had-straight
in
The authcr-his tiny son was on the
floor now, saying things TO the cat, and il
deserved every word. being a eat that
licks stamps of letters and loves ba-
con and boiled eggs-thrust his hands
deep into his pockets and looked down,
sad-eyed. at little Sunny-face-"
Yes, perhaps you had better come 70
bed
There we're. Of course. almost insur-
mOuntable difficulties in disrobing the
youngster. but he was fun Of sugges-
tiCns- Buttons. tape. and heaven knows
what, We're in turn wrestled with, and
at last baby Eric was wrapped up in a
smoking coat, and was asleep in a very
few minutes Noel resumed his work
peeping from time 20 time into the bed
room, light in hand TO see a sweet
mouth that dimDled and curved. He
kissed the child timidly. It might wake.
perhaps cry but the demeanor Of Mas
ter Eric surprised the lonely man, for a
sleepy arm found its way round his
neck. a sleepy voice rehearsed the con-
Guiding sentence or the evening prayer,
all he heard was God bless father"
and as he strodc from the room his
thoughts dew back and back.
II Chum would only come. If some
thing would only happen TO break the
silence a silence only cleft by the sigh
OF child
The Chunch was only at the end Of the
street.
He could hear the bell-ringers shun-
ling al5ls the frosty pavements. in a few
minutcs-and ne bent 20 his work
Half asleep. half awake. he was con-
scious OF the old. almost forgotten touch
upon his wrist-a dream, doubtless-but
he could not shake it on. and then he
looked down
Kneeling as Of yore beside him, blue
eyes tear-dimmed. was Pearl
Il have returned. Noel" II was 4
quavering Httle voice. but it thrilled
him.
How like she was to their child
AID then the bells clashed forth their
message. peace on Earth. Good VIII
toward Men, and to two hearts they
carried a sweeter. deeper message still.
No word was spoken a small figure N
a smoking Jacket that reached to his
heels. stood ak the dividing door, an
eager face turned TO either.
And husband and wife kissed silently.
The Washington times., 1902-12-21

was the only one. We loved one another
too passionately 90 be happy apart for
a single moment and there was. a lie
| between that would always haveeiyided
/ as. cannot exDiain but. dearest. I
could never have lived without you. so
I have chosen what they say is the
pleasantest method of departing from
existence. Treasure the lovely time we
had together. Your broken hearted
DICK"
Il should like you 10 keep the one
painting did az Scarborough as a SOU
yenir."
Flossie read It through twice. and al
last the sense began to beat in upon her
brain. She had driven the man who
loved her into watery grave.
That same afternoon Richard Filby in
the flesh arrived at his lodgings in West
Kensington. He did not look like a man
who had lately undergone a fatal ex-
perience His cheeks were bronzed and
his step was brisk-indeed. the FIRST re-
mark which his iandlady made was to
compliment him on his improved appear
ance.
Filby went upstairs and proceeded 10
unpack- The few articles left al the inn
to allay suspicion could be replaced at
a very small cost. while a breach OF
promise case might have landed him i'm
hundreds.
he smiled as ne thought Of his clever
and successful ruse.
Tie pictured the local constable as
suming terrific Importance. declining to
give any Information whatever. and all
the inhabitants clustering i'm knots and
discussing the news.
Now Filby was not a hard hearted
man. and he felt Just the least bit sorry
as be thought OF Flossie Barnett. She
would naturally be much cut up. for she
loved him tremendously-bu there. she
was a high spirited girl and took life
pretty easily And then, Of course, mar
riage between them had always been
quite impossible
Dinner was duly served. and FiIby did
the meal ample Justice over his cigar
he commenced TO nod. and remembered
that he had lost a nights rest. He
would 20 90 bed very early tonight
A knock at the door, The maid en-.
tered with q letter. He looked at the
envelope and started. It bore the Sea
borough postmarz. Il was from Flossie
Barnett re was thoroughly reused now.
Esd his trick been discovercd2
He tore the letter open feverishly. The
date reassured him; It was written last
night What on earth had Flossie TO
say?
Three minutes later Filby was pacing
the room, waving the letter irrltably in
Tho air. His scheme had gone for moth
ing an his trouble had been wasted.
This chit Of a girl had been simply play
ing with his affections all the time, and
here was her confession.
He seized pen and paper That night
the following communication was dropped
into tine post:
my. Richard Filby begs to inform Miss
Flossie Barnett that he is still alive and
well. and has returned TO town. On sec
ond consideration. he did not think Miss
Barnett worth drowning for, and her let
ter to hand this evening confirms him in
this opinion Mr. Filby hopes that Miss
Barnett viii attain happiness ia her
projected union, and thai his little pic
sure may end a niche on her walls"
But by return Of post without Inc or
comment. Filby to his great iHdslatio
got his picture back dishgurcJ almost be-
yond recognition.
The Washington times., 1902-12-21
tIX you viii always love me. Dick?''
'4Tin my death. Flossiel'
The unpleasant memory Of

LII my AHAAlAs r AV1oAH-
The unpleasant memory Of
those words came to Richard
FHby as he sat on the cliffs a mile away
from the little village Of Scarborough
painting. or rather attempting to paint
What a fool he had beenI He had hirt-
ed disgracefully with the Innkeeper's
daughter. Flossie. who had seemingly
taken ali his attentions in earnest. per-
fectly unaware that there was another
young woman up in London to whom
he was engaged. Last evening they had
walked out together as usual. vending
their way along the shore, and there
the declaration OF love recorded above
had been made. How on earth was he
to get out OF this imbroglio2
After a few minutes FiIby dropped
palette and brushes. Ambitious as he
was to be famous. he really could not
paint this morning. He slipped off his
camp stool and, throwing himself fun
length on the grass, gazed up renectively
into the sky. What a nuisance this ar
tistic temperament vast He was finally
betrothed TO Freda Withers at Forest
HiH. and had no desire TO end the be-
trothal, and yet down here in this TO
mantle little spot the temptation to en-
Joy himself with Flossle Barnett. who
had attracted him the very FIRST moment
that he arrives at the Inn, had proved
too strong to be resisted. L was an in
nocont entanglement. but how great the
costl He had come down 10 work and
he had been phiiandering instead. And
now the last day but one Of his stay
had come. What follies were commit
ted IN the name Of so-called love!
''0ice day. siri"
FiIby looked up. It was the coast
guard on his round.
'.Yesi Rather warm for working.
though, and for walking, too. I should
imagine"
"oh. don't mind that. sir. Used to
It. you see. That's a grand bit Of cliff
you're painting, sir"
IF could only get it right it would
be-"
The coastguard mused. his hand
stroking his chin. his eyes taking in
the points OF the picture.
"Ah. 1 mind that spot wcn. There
was q suicide from there about a year
back. A chap Che was the SON Of a
farmer round here) os vas gone on
girl that ho couldn't get jumped right
OIL there into the sea. His coat was
found on the climbed taken &c OK be-
fore hc j1mped-but his body must
have been washed away by The sea. Cor
though we searched high and low. we
never found BE- u was G. sad case
"Fery. 4 didn't know events like that
occurred In ibis part.
Sometimes. sir. Folks DO silly
things for love an the world over.
Wen. I must De moving on"
Have q biz OF tobaccoo"
Thank ye. sir That's real stun.
Good morning"
Directly che man had passed on
Fnby began pacing up and down on
the clig An idea haa come. the czecu-
tion OF which might solve the dmculty
he pas in. and with free movement Of
his limbs, Fiiby always thought better.
The Washington times., 1902-12-21
NOEL CLAYTONS CHRISTMAS.

I DEL CLAYTON was tall and
l gaunt, with clear, candid blue
Y eyes, and Lis white hands small
and nervous looking. as well
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-03
Charles Conrad Dead.

Mr.. Charles e. Conrad. of Kalis
pei, Montana, is dead. He WIS pres
ident of the Conrad National Bank
and the kalispel Townsite Company.
His death was the result of consump
tior Mr.. Conrad was born in War
rem county in 1850 and thirty four
years ago went to Montana, where he
became one of that States most
prominent citizens Mr.. Conrad was
4 brother of Hon. w. G.. Conrad, Of
Helena, the we'll known millionaire
who spends the summer with his
family at Montrna Hall, in Clarke
county. Another brother is presi-
'leut of tie Great alls, Montal a
bank, and another is n prominent
business man of Seattle, Washington.
MIR. Conrad was u cousin of Mr.. s.
H. marlborough, president of the
Shenandoah Valley National Bank,
of Winchester.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-03
WHITE POST.

The revival meeting. under the super
ision Of the Rev. d. C. Reid. at the
Village NJ. f. Church for some time past.
the regret of very many " no had been
attendance AT the service and eniOved
the preaching, the meeting was brought
10 a close on Friday evening last. Great
Add lasting good was accomplished by
he meeting.
Mr.. VIM. G Kcnnerly sold aud shipped
gentleman in Rome. ga one of th,.
inest bird dogs ever raised or trainri IN
this section lie received 5000 Tor him
IN. while this might he considered 90,
come biz price, yet he was yer. lostA
TO part with him at this figure.
Mr.. J. +. Kennerly who has been iu
'ad health for some time. ha gone Q,
baltimore on a visit To her hrolaer. Cant
ittlepage, who served with distinction
the Confederate Navy during ia,
ivil War
Mr. n. p. Furgerson, agent Of IN,
Norfolk and Western Railway at River
m, spent Sunday in the village
Mr.. Lewis Chrisman. son of l. a
'hr sman, near the village, has accepted
ne position express messenger on the
."rfolk X Western Railway. on Tho
rSin running from Roanoke 10 Hagers-
own. We wish the young man success
his new vocation.
Mr.. Earnest Meade spent Thanksgiv.
ng with friends and relatives at Boyce
Some of the farmers have taken advan.
age of the rec nj cold snap and butch
red. Now if there is one season of The
ear that | enjoy over another il is the
eAson for killing hogs. The hot sausage
parerib and buck wheat cakes, tina
make their appearance st this time. ST,
ishes good enough to set before King
HAPPY JoHN.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-03
BOWLES

Mrs. +. NJ. Burch has returned TO her
'ome at MT. Prospect" after spending
month in Philadelphia with her hus-
land, Rev. F. NJ. Burch, who has tempo
AIRY charge of church in that city. On
Ter way home she spent several DAYS
With her mother, Mrs. j. II. ID. Smoot OF
Alexandria.
Miss Mary L. Shipe spent a short time
With Miss Clara Tavenner last week.
Mr.. Lee Darling and his little niece
Hiss Lily Darling, who is a granddaugh
er of Mr.. J. 7. Dove, returned to Alex
andria after spending several days at Nj
Doves.
Mr.. Edward Brown has received hi,
furniture from New Salem. and his wifi,
and son have come to this place. so they
are again house keeping a, their HON,
here
SHENANDOAW
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-03
Dogs Nearly Broke Up Dance.

Mrs. Elizabeth Rodgers gave quite
a delightful dance to a large number
of her friends at the residence of her
father, Mr.. John Rinker, near Lake
View, on last Saturday night. The
function passed off pleasantly with
the exception of being interrupted
once or twice by some unruly dogs
which belonged to some of the guests
and who made things disagreeable
for a while by insisting upon accom-
panying their owner TO the ball room.
although the fun of making an exc
dus of the dogs more than offset their
disagreeable conduct.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-03
WILDWOOD.

The Country Club is verify the
headquarters of the smart set. There
We cougregate everyday, besides the
private entertainme constantly
given here, and from these naturally
emanate all the ION dts" and news
of various kinds, tho the ears
polite, of course scandal is never
men Toned. Some one has already
written up Mr.. Washington's birth
day party tho rather inaccurately).
The person could not have himself
enjoyed this "feast of reason and flow
of SOUL" and to have left out the
presence of the beautiful Miss Mamie
Russell and the attractive Miss Bessie
Love was to have robbed the enter
tainment of great deal of its charm
Rarely have we seer more beauty and
grace assembled from Winchester,
Berrysille and this country neigh
borhood, or more handsome and fas.
cinating men. Last, but not least,
the stately and elegant chsperones,
who when weary of watching the
dance amused themselves in the COSY
little parlor by playing the new
game "Fan TAM" but lately intro
duced from China By Minister Wu.
Mr.. Washington is from Pittsburg
and belongs to the old Virgins
stock. His father was well known
to some of our older set. A colony
from Pittsburg seems to be settling
around BerryviIle, as one from ST.
Louis is forming here. A very
charming set-oonforming to all OF
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-03
Mr.. Colds Bill.

Mr.. Geld, Of Clarke, offered two
companion bills in the Senate Mon
day, which, if they pass, will entirely
change the plan of improvements
adopted by the Capitol commission.
One is to repeal the appropriation
of 100000, the other to provide
$4,000 for the work. Mr.. Gold is
opposed to the proposed plan, which,
he thinks, will make too radical
changes, and cut of the lights from
the meeting halls. The bills attract
ed considerable attention, and Mr..
Gold says he will push them.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-03

One Of the most interesting missions
for church work among the colored
people in Virginia is in the parish of
Christ Church, Wildwood, Rev. j.
Courtney Jones, rector. This las
been in existence for number Of
years, and hss been conducted with
that diligence and tact " hich has
characterized all of the successful eff
forts among this peculiar people.
The organization has u building set
apart for its use, and every Sunday .
large school assemblies for instruction
In true religion along the lines set
forth by the church.
The usual difficulties which 5eset
work among the negroes have not
been unknown. but with coucecrated
effort these hsve not prevented it's
useful career. From con versat:on
with those particularly interested.
aud from other means, The wrlser
was convinced that this mission has
had its influence in uplifting the
entire community of colored people.
The archdeacon of colored work in
the diocese, Rev. DR.. Muncure, re-
Gently visited wildwood, and at the
special service, at which he made an
address to the colOred people, wac
surprised and gratified at the hearty
and excellent rendition of the church
services. The same would have been
q credit to any Sunday school in the
land.
There is branch of the junior
auxiliary connected with the mission,
which is doing good work.
The success of this work is due,
by the grace of God, to the untirning
efforts of the rector, Rev. Mr.. Jones,
aud his able and consecrated band of
assistants. These have been and are.
Miss Uelestine Page. Mrs. Bevan,
Mrs Voolfolk, Miss Evelyn Merri-
wether. Miss Rosa Voolfolk, Miss
Jane Page, Miss Mary Voolfolk and
Miss Evelyn Page.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-03
MT. AIRY.

few OF our people have taken sdvan
tage OF the cold snap to do their butcher
ing. Others are preparing to do the
ssmc early next week.
Mrs. James Smsllwood. who has been
visiting her uncle, Mr.. Albert Elsea. for
the past two weeks, returned TO her
home in Maryland on Saturday
Mr.. Bideler visited Mr.. VIM. FinueI.
the past week.
Mr.. Dolph Feltner was at the top on
Wednesday.
Mrs. Coyler, of near Ebenezer, and
granddaughter are visiting Mr.. Robert
Fleming, of Sterling, Va
Our schools closed on Thursday for
Thanksgiving.
The Ebenezer neighborhood cleared
the cemetery at that place, of the
growing timber in the enclosure belong
ing to the graveyard on Thursday. An
other day with such zelous workers will
clear out entirely all useless stuff from
the place, and make it one of the most
beautiful places around for burying
ground.
While looking among the debris under
the old church, long since fal en- down. a
lady found a silver pencil known to have
been lost at that place by her brother
more than forty years ago. The brother
has been dead for many years. The
pencil was bright, but the wood from
the lead was gone
The river has been past fording since
Thursday night.
Mr.. George Boyd, one of our neighbor-
ing citizens. we are sorry to learn. is on
the sick list
Our old friend, Mr. Longerbeam is
some what better
TWO young men are trapping through
be moutains and on the river. They
seem to be well prepared for the bust
ness, and say there is money in it.
Nick Fletcher became the owner Of
he horse that was CHANGED off at the top
IN Saturday last 10y VIM. Dryer. As
Nick invested very lightly in the enter
prise, he was some what surprized. as
veil as proud, boy. The horse is good
'eavy draft animal
TOM ScRATcuER