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

changing badinage IN her light-hearted
way. and looking very fair and pretty. She
rippled out merry laugh, as one young
man fell to his knees while making gal .
LIANT speech over her extended hand. Across
Grandma SteeIes face came flash OF color.
She stepped quickly toward her daughter
in-law, exclaiming:
Mary Be CAREFUL" but she was too
late The daring young man was on ms
feet, and made rush for the now fright
ened lady. He caught her tightly in his
drunken embrace, and started to run on
with her The other men were laughing
helplessly, treating the matter as huge
joke. -,
Mary groaned and covered her face with
both hands, and I, in fury Of rage, dashed
in front of the young man and tore open
his arms with the power and case OF some
mighty avenger. Mrs. Steele, thus freed,
fairly flew up the stairs, her face hlied
with terror and distress.
l stood by the newell post second, flushed
and painting; gazing down in disgust at the
PROSTATE man. Then, as Pompey lifted the
drunkard to his feet a volley Of curses,
black and deep, that were intended for me,
befouled the air
The memory of my mornings pledge
came to my mind. walked to the parlor,
and said to the three gentlemen:
'Your friend is i'll. He is in his carriage.
Pompey is waiting at the door. will make
your excuses TO Mrs. Steele"
They bowed themselves out in a maudlin
fashion; and it was the proudest moment Of
my life when Grandma Steele laid her hand
on my yellow head and said, quietly:
My boy! Ny little protectoFl l thank
you
Mr.. Steele came in shortly after that.
Grandma Steele met him at the door, and
his order to Pompey, as went home, was:
I'VE are not at home tonight, Pompey.
That same month | went TO boarding
school, carrying my lady's color with me,
in the shape Of a pink hair ribbon Mary had
worn on New Years day. Surely there
never was a prouder knight than l.
Year by year the good old custom dwin-
died; killed by just such sights as had dis
gusted my young soul. The gorgeous tot
lettes moderated to modest gowns. Luxu-
rious tables shrank to trays Of cakes and
wine, or cakes and coffee. Men walked, or
rode in street cars, to pay their calls Fam
ily reunions began to be popular. Still l
made my annual call on Mary and her
mother, and grew no nearer.
The stately Grandma had passed away,
and Mary sometimes wore her pearl-set
miniature. Then my home was desolated.
Ny mothers death left me sad indeed. Mr..
Steele was a kind friend in my trouble,
and when the worst was past MRS. Steele
showed herself still merry, childlike, and
young. Mary, alone, 1 could not fathom.
| had been in Paris two years and had
corresponded with Mary in fraternal fash.
ion for more than a twelvemonth; when
suddenly wrote an imprisoned letter, tell
ING her of my lifes love, aud implOring her
to be my wife.
She responded briefly, and in the tone
used through all her letters: 81 thank you
for the high compliment" she wrote, but
why not keep on in our old friendly way?
This was too much. | was hurt deeply,
never answered her letter, and resolved TO
keep aloof, now and forever. Toward the
end of December became uneasy, and re.
solved to go home, or, at least, to old
New York. We landed on New Years eve,
and on New Years morning, as the bells
of st. Margaret's were Ginning for serv-
ice. | found myself opposite Mary's house,
looking over at the old place, with the same
old boyish interest.
What change from the old days. Every
shade of every house on the block entirely
covered its window, and on each bell-pull
was a tiny basket fastened with bunch OF
CAV ribbons. ] was indignant. "a nice way
that" l argued, mentally, ito treat visitors
on New Years day" A closed house, in
deed 1t should open to me- And that
basket! Probabyit was the gift OF some fond
lover. like the Mayday baskets Of the olden
time. Tied with Mary's fayorIte color too
Very well would take 1t down and offer
her my congratulations, when handed her
the basket
So | mounted the steps and gave the
bell knob a vigorous pull. Old Pompey
opened the door. He knew me at once,
and smiled broadly as he said:
Miss Mary, she'll be delighted. Disvisits
so on-reglar; jes whit she likes" 49,,
When Mary came, she seemed a little
tremulous and confused. | remembered
the basket. It had fallen to the floor. l
pounced upon it viciously In it lay
card:
Mr.. Stewart Kingsley"
Mary" l gasped; surely you are never
aoing TO marry the man who insulted your
mother y years ago." and | held up the
card before her astonished eyes.
"You silly boy" said she, and with that
years vanished we we've young again.
This" shaking the basket, SIS the way
people receive to-day. We put ont our
basket, and anyone who wishes may drop
his card in it."
"Then he did not send the basket"
"Oh. no." laughed Mary.
"Well," said |, what a silly fashion; to
tie five yards of ribbon to ones bell-handle,
That friend may not pull it,"
mo. Only two yards" said Mary.
Five" protested, and then said:
Come; let's measure it," So I took my
handkerchief to measure and finished
up the inches on the ribbon that hung
from her belt, This brought us very
near each other; my hand trembled,
but / mad gained fine courage. A curl OF
nv yellow, tousled head brushed Mary's
cheek. She flushed prettily, and, putting her
arms about my neck, touched my lips light
ly with hers
"That was mean trick" l cried, de-
lightedly, snatching my darling to my heart,
"and I'll never speak to you again, unless
you promise to repeat it every day OF your
natural life"