The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1902-08-22
A WINSOME
VILLAIN &G&
BY JOHN II. RAFTERY.

TIE advent OF Helen Barr as stenog-
rapher created a genuine sensa-
tion in Hotel Packinghom. The staid
manager, broad of paunch and bald
Of head, began 10 dictate his own let
ters. instead of leaving them TO his
assistant. Tie chief clerk surpassed
even his own high standard OF sartor-
ial splendor and curled the ends Of his
mustache so high that the points
served him as "a sight" for the aim
ing Of many glances Of admiration.
The captain of the bellboys began 10
throw out his chest and take ON the
airs OF grown man. the clarion tones
Of "front' became music TO the ears
of the buttons" for it required a
sudden appearance within range Of
Miss Barr's Incompatible eyes. Even
the house detective. the stewart and
the door men lighted up, and as for
the male guests, they suddenly de-
yeloped into continuous and most vol
luminous letter writers.
Miss Barr was a beauty, as anyone
could see. Her hair was auburn and
her eyes dark blue. The clerk insist
ed that they were "royal purple" and
bet a box of cigars with bold travel
ing man that she would say so herself
II asked. lie lost the wager. however.
for, when the saucy question was put
to her. she blushed beautifully. and
said: 81 never noticed. sir" But, as
the inquisitor attempted TO push his
investigation, the girl turned back to
her typewriter and murmurcd: ANY
way, there's no green in them" This
innocent retort had the effect Of
rebuff. and Miss Barr's popularity
event off point" with the clerk. But
she could be very gracious without
stepping across the limitations Of per-
feet decorum. and her calm amiabiity
Of disposition and habitual cheerful
ness Of expression intrenched her pop
ularity without permitting familiar
ity.
Capt. Hugh Baldwin. L. s. A.. came
to the Packingham 10 "rccuperate"
after a period OF detached service in
South America. lie was tall, sum
burned, blond, good to look at and
distinguished, with all the frank gen
tility Of a soldier and an officer. OF |
all her customers Miss Barr had found |
Capt. Baldwin the most interesting.
He was friendly without being obtru- |
sive. gay without being silly and re-
spectful without being distant. The |
alert beauty had found out a great
many things about him in the course
Of a week, for he wrote to Mrs. Bald
win every day. He had assured her
that "he didn't know how soon he'd /
be home" because he was still FAR
from we'll" etc. These seemingly I'M
explanations gave Miss
Barr the idea that the handsome cap
tain was something Of a rogue. for she
had never seen finer example Of ro-
bust manhood.
The number Of gay young men who
'alled on him seemed TO indicate that
he might be what she vaguely sus-
oecied as zone Of the boys" Some
IIlf~ liz " AWAf fNAfAr N'N NNN NtA MNIIIfM
han Mrs. Baldwin. and. although
hese were usually noncommitial and
II the jolly sort that might well pass
between a jolly bachelor and his So
riety acquaintances, yet Miss Barr
ancied that they were not the kind
II letters She would like her husband
o be writing If she were married.
Then, thought the girl, "he has chill
Iren. Let's see. lie mentioned Amy,
rom. Catherine and Baby Hugh.
Imphl l think he is pretty gay fora
nan Of family" II was not till he be-
-an the practice Of leaving flowers and
,onbons on her desk that Helen awak-
ned to a realization Of Capt. Bald
WINS possible villainy. Without re-
Iecting that his character, good or
iad, should in no way interfere with 4
er peace Of mind. she began TO worry.
rieve and get pale. She knew that
is wife was urging him to come home,
nd she was sure that his trumped-up
xcuses were either frivolous or ut
srly untrue. Finally she asked him
D please stop giving her presents"
ut try as she might she couldn't find
n excuse for mentioning his wife and
is duty toward his family. "Im not Z
opposed to know anything about
hat" she thought, and yet she puz-
led over the question whether his ,
lndid display Of his own duplicity y
as not proof positive that he was a 1
hameless wretch, making love to an
inocent girl without even taking the 7
recaution TO conceal his life obliga- t