Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-02-26
The ScntimentaliSt'S
Surprise
By GLARE M. HOWARD

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO COONOOOOOOOO
ZANE was young person OF great
sensibility and imaginative power.
Her enemies said she was sentimental,
but that was only half true. Jane, hav-
ing read countless romanceS in which
love appeared to be the highest state
of bliss, decided that if life were to
contain anything important for her she
must fall in love as soon az possible.
This may seem an easy matter to the
simply amorous, but to strict roman
ticist it presents many difficulties.
James life led down a city street to
school and home again. 1t is true that
many young ladies in Madam Estele's
seminary firted from the windows
with young gentlemen on the corner,
but this innocent vulgarity was OF
fensive to James sense of romance.
She continued reading and bided an
auspiciouS occasion for the bestowal
of her heart,
In her fifteenth year James parents
went to spend the summer in the
Adirondacks. Jane decided that this
summer should certainly mark the
great year Of her Life. Some one must
at once be found upon whom to hang
her affections. Had not Juliet lived,
loved and died before she was sixteen?
Jane made a calculating survey of her
self before she launched upon her
quest. Her blue eyes, black hair and
pensive, dropping mouth were encour-
aging, but there was something Of
fensively proSaic about her short, blue
linen dress and large laced boots y
limp white muslin and pair Of sandal
slippers are what Jane would have
liked.
For many days Jane viewed the male
population of the lakes with search
ing eye. She looked at the venerable
beaux with patent leather shoes and
cvnic smiles. the college men with
blatant tongues and sweaters, the
stodgy heads of families, the choicely
dressed and vacuous looking youths
from city offices, the agile derisive lit
tie boys who moved in gangs. Her
neart misgave her. Was it possible
that ladies still found heroes in this
throng? Still she did not despair.
There might yet beat some soul Of SEN
timent under flannel blazer.
One night as she was standing on
the wharf the little boat that brought
new visitors to the hotel presented to
her eyes a likely subject. He was lean
ING against the door of the steamer in
a rather graceful way, with soft hat
almost imperceptibly tilted on his
head. There was, to James eye, some
thing both subtle and dashing about
his appearance. Her hopes beat high.
He was shaking hands with an older
girl whom she knew. There was to be
a hop at the hotel that night. Perhaps
the older girl would ask him to dance
with Jane.
The would-be heroine was pink with
excitement that evening. She watched
the new guest as he crossed the dane
ing space. He had dark eyes with
shadows under them and shadows
round his mouth. Jane thought he
most work very hard. She leaned ever
and touched her older friend.
"Will-will you introduce mo to Lat
man?" she shyly whispered.
"Of course" said her companion,
gayly reckoning to the loiterer. Miss
Graves, let me present Mr.. Carson"
Delighted" said Mr.. Carson, in a
weary voice. MAY I have the pleas
ure?" and he led Jane out to dance.
Afterward they repaired TO two veran-
da seats in the moonlight. Jane wait
ed anxiously for the hero to speak, and
the hero spoke. He told Jane that she
had danced beautifully; that it was the
best dance he had had that evening,
He jeered languidly at the college stu
dents and said 1t must be very dull hert
for a pretty girl. He broke off to ad
mire blond lady. going past them
Jane once more felt the panss of dis
appointment. Alas! his romantic ex
terror belied him. He was only rude
and silly. She looked sadly at him. Hf
was leaning back with dropping eyes
BEG pardon, but have such head
ache" he murmured.
81 am very sorry" said Jane.
"Jove, what smilel" said the young
man; "it's enough to make a fellow
well again"
Jane rose. "rhere Is my next part
ner," she said, stifiy, and led the way
across the room. Never, never agar
would Jane make mistake about dash
ing young msr with shadows under
their eyes.
So Jane had to begin her search
again. There came upon her horizon
an 1S-year-old schoolboy by the name
of Robert Smith, tremendous young
giant, with blue eyes, yellow hair and
a face devoid of expression. Jane con
versationally sounded him. He was
sweet tempered and polite, but seemed
quite colorless in mind and heart
Could not Jane tincture him to suit
herself-conyert this raw material int6
hero? She would try. Robert sooI