Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-03-05
tive faculties.

1--WE IaculUleS.
Mrs. Lewis, her friend, was over
5oyed, even to the extent Of hysteri
cal tears.
us 1t really you, Katharine ant
have you come to make me a long
visit? But, Of course, you have
What a lovely widow you make, my
dear. But you won't be widow
long, will she, George?" and Mrs
Lewis Rugged her friend anew.
After luncheon Mr.. Lewis returned
to the city and the two young wom-
en- sat together and rehearsed all
that had happened since their last
meeting, which was on the occasion
Of Katharine's marriage. They even
talked over Mr.. Cathcart. and that
gentleman's ears must have burned
in distant Chicago. Sophie knew him
and was on his side-Katharine's only
demur was her freedom.
"Why, / couldn't even be sitting COM
fortably here chatting with you" she
said In confirmation of her decision.
IF l had husband waiting at the hotel
for me. It's just beautiful to be able
to go out for a few hours without
leaving an explanatory letter, telling
where you have gone, how long you
will be away, and then having to wor-
ry all the time for fear you will over
stay your time half an hour. l have
felt Just like a child going home to be
scolded."
Poor darling" Sophie regarded her
friend with pity, at is plain, Kathar-
inc, that you have never loved"
But the flood of color that suffused
Mrs. Archer's features told another
story. Sophie, bright little woman,
received a sudden illumination. Mrs.
Archer intended to return to her hotel
that evening, but yielded to the urg-
ings of her friends. and the next morn
ing it rained, nor did it clear during
the day or the following evening,
Katharine wrote to her brother, and
answered at length Richard Cathcart's
letter, using specious and evasive argu-
ments, a very jesuit in her use Of Ian
guage to conceal thought. Then the
second night passed, and on the sue
ceeding morning when Mr.. Lewis
opened his daily paper he gave great
shout.
Sophie! Katharinel Come herew
The two hurried down and looked
over his shoulder as he read the dis
play heading of a news column:
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
OF WEALTHY WIDOW.
MISSING FROM HER HOTEL.
FOUL PLAY FEARED.
POLICE ASKED TO INVESTIGATE.
Both women collapsed at this juno
ture. and Mr.. Lewis read the article
aloud. The further intelligence an
nounced that the police on being sum-
moned opened the trunks of the miss
ing guest and rummaged their contents
until they discovered her Chicago ad-
dress; that they had wired her broth
er and lover, whose letters gave the
information they needed, and that
both had telegraphed to proceed with
the search, using every means in their
power, and that the two men would
leave Immediately for New York.
"Horrible!" shrieked Katharine in
fierce dismay.
"Shameful!" cried Sophie, support
ing her friend in her arms.
"The police seem to have been over
vigilant," commented Mr.. Lewis.
"You are being well advertised, Kate"
he added, with sly emphasis. At the
same time he was annoyed that she
should have all this to undergo.
They both accompanied their guest
to the hotel, where her apartments
were found in a state Of confusion
that warranted an indignant rebuke to
the management, and affairs were
speedily adjusted, NJ. Lewis insisting
that Sophie should stay and chaperone
the widow until her brother arrived.
That he was not coming alone seemed
to afford Katharine much comfort.
She felt willing to be lean-to all the
rest of her life.-Chicago RecordHer-
aid.