River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-08-13
THE RANDOLPHS
OF NEVADA@ ~
BY HERMAN KNoELLER
sa@ea4@ee@ 1880
S1SD1/SDSOhOS~SDeON~S- =
Copyright. 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

and under protest. She was
heartily sick of it all. Her three
years experience Gin society" since
she left school lad filed her with dis
satisfaction and contempt. The pleas
ures she had anticipated had turned
to ashes in the realization. Instead
of the knight of her girlish dreams,
she had found colorless idlers, addie-
pated champions of the golf field, ana
men of the world who filled her with
distrust. The women seemed either
too narrow and frivolous to endore'
or so worldly-wise rs to be mt com
panions for the men with the past.
However. she was beautiful and
placid as ever as she swept into the
drawing-room at the Mortimers. AS
usual, she became at once the center
of group of chattering guests.
Presently an audible futter near
the door drew attention. The man
who caused it was entirely conscious
of his situation, which made it worse.
He was wholly out of keeping with
the company. Tall and sinewy, ms
sun-burned face contrasted oddly
with the dollhouse pallor of the other
men. Instead of the conventional
evening coat, he wore Prince Albert
and wore it most ungracefully. ms
attire throughout lacked the little
elegances so essential to correctness,
and his whole bearing was that OF
a cat in strange garnet.
"For goodness sake, how did that
break imp giggled Algy Van Bisclt' ad-
iusting his monocle.
ooh. that must be Mr.. Randolph-a
business acquaintance of papa S from
tbe west" exclaimed Helen Mortimer,
with glance of mock severity at Algy'
papa says he is very smart young
man who has done some wonderful
things in engineering or irrigation, or
something like that. and he wants to
show him some country" ana heIeh
turned to meet him.
Nobody excepting Mr.. Mortimer took
pains to make matters easier for the
stranger and he foundered worse the
further into the room he got. He APP
preciated fully his helplessness and his
disadvantage. Every one was on the
point Cor over itl of gfggling and some
of those to whom he was presented
could not resist sly fling. His own
speech was Disconnected and altogeth-
er the situation was painful. Fannie
could not resist joining the spirit OF
mischief. Albert, she knew it was ill
bred.
"Of the Virginia Randolphs?" she
inquired innocently, and it was pain
fully apparent that the group was sup
pressing a giggle with effort.
The effect on the stranger was cleo
trfcaI. His nervous half-fright druY'
ped from him in an instant. He threw
his head back and his keen, gray eyes
looked straight into Fannie's with an
expression so dominating and self-as-
sertive that hers dropped.
mo" he replied, with quiet en-
phasis. "of the Nevada Randolphs."
The suggestion of litter ceased. There
was a moment of eloquent silence.
Then Van Biscit, who felt called on to
come to Fannie's rescue, asked:
cold Family-the Nevada Ran
dolphs?"
''No, very new" replied Randolph,
turning to Van Biscit with the same
stern expression which sent the cold
chills chasing up and down Algy's back.
1--WE make it our pride out there to
found families raher than boast of the
deeds of our ancestors. We are too busy
building an empire in the wilderness
and accommodating money for our sons
and grandsons to spend and brag about
to find time to make study of'family
trees"
The situation was becoming strained
and Mr.. Mortimer hurried his guest
along, chuckling audibly at the dis
comforture in his wake.
1t was destined 10 be an evening of
mishaps, for just as the refreshments
were served the electric lights went
out without warning. Lamps and can
dies were hurried on, but made sorry
showing in the great DINING hall. Pres
emily it was reported to Mr.. Mortimer
that nobody in the establishment could
find the cause of the difficulty and that
the electrician telephoned for could
not be there for an hour or more. Ran
dolph went over and whispered to Nor
timer and the two disappeared. In a
few moments the recalcitrant lights re-
sumed business and shortly after the
two men reappeared, Randolph with
cuffs somewhat soiled, and coat wrink-
led, and Mortimer explained that the
party owed the illumination to Mr..
Randolph, who had found the trouble
with some difficulty and corrected it.
Fannie looked at Randolph curiously.
He was a verydifferent man thanwhen
he stumbled awkwardly into the room.
There was conscious power in his face
and perfect self-possession in his car
riage. Before leaving she sought him
out and said:
MFR. Randolph, I want to apologize
to you for my rudness. 1t was ill-bred
and inexcusable from any point of
view"
do not mention it, l beg of YOU" he
replied heartily. II appreciate the
fact that l am very much out of place
here. and if 1 look like 1 feel, most
legitimate object of ridicule."
Fannie flushed as she had not
since school days.
THAT makes my position the more
humiliating," said She. 81 will be
glad to make some amends if you
will call on me. Our carriage is at
your disposal, and I win be glad to
show YOU some of the sights"