Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-03-05
Richard Cathcart's
rotective Policy&
By M. l.. RAYNB.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo0
NLUM, GUNNER, glummest, Rich
II ard Cathcart sat in his club
parlor envied of all his friends, but
with great grudge against the
whole world because the especial
preference of one little woman was
denied him. Satiated with the favors
of fortune, he had possibly taken too
much for granted, he was much
chagrined when he was refused the
second time, and the fnality Of his
rejection appeared absolute. II he
could have seen himself he would
have laughed at the picture OF de-
lection he made. Laugh? He felt
more like crying, but men are de-
MED the selfish luxury of tears.
Mr.. Carthart was in love with a
widow. She had not used any arts
to attract him and was dismayed at
the violence of his professionalism
Mrs. Katharine Archer had decided
never to marry again. Why should
she? She had been a widow for five
years and had found life sweet. With
money enough to live as she pleased,
It's investments safely guaranteed
by the will of her late husband, why
should she tie herself down to the
dull routine Of domestic life with an
other man? She had been vine long
enough to be tired of clinging. She
wanted to be free to do exactly as
she pleased. These were the objec-
| lions she urged against Mr.. Cath
carts suit-why she remained uncon-
vinced by his lover-like eloquence.
"Were you so happy in your first
marriage that you dare not venture
again?" he boldly asked.
81 was reasonably happy with Mr..
Archer" replied the widow, with
little sigh.
"Then marry me and let me make
you unreasonably happy" said the in
fatuated lover with fond insistence,
But Mrs. Archer shook her we'll
poised head.
Tomorrow 1 am going to New
York." she replied. 81 want to go
alone everywhere, stop at hotel
like a clubwoman, have no one to
dictate to me, not even a maid. [
am leaving mine at home. 1 shall not
join the bohemians nor become outre
in anything, neither will l be obliged
to wait the pleasure of some man
on all occasions. Other women travel
alone-why should not II"
Because you are not like other
women" rejoined Richard Cathcart,
with diplomacy. "Oh, my dar-dear
Mrs. Archer, you need a strong arm
to protect you from the rude jost-
ling of the world, which is very cruel
to the helpless and unprotected"
Mrs. Archer smiled demurely, look
ing bewilderingly charming, and al
though Richard received his congo
the second time, he could not but
acknowledge to himself that some
deliverer would always be at hand
were Katharine Archer in peril, Nor
| did he believe that she would ever,
under any circumstances, lose her
| feminine wits, which were double
edged. Discreet to the verge of
prudery, he would have wagered his
head against the possibility of a mis-
take on her part. He believed that
she was absolutely capable of taking
care of herself, but regretted any
possibility of such an extremity COM
| ing to pass. He knew the many pit
| falls laid down for the unaware and
he wanted to be near her to protect
/ her against every man-except him
self.
Mrs. Archer arrived in New York
without the shadow of an adventure,
went to a hotel noted for having once
entertained royalty and secured an
elegant suite of rooms. She regis
tered her name with her own fair
hand and felt positively delighted to
be so capable. She did not unpack
her trunks, being tired from her trip,
but decided to wait until the next
\ morning.
services of the chambermaid. 1t was
a new experience to answer a knock
at her own door, where she found a
bell boy with two letters.
''For me?" she said, surprised, but
Immediately recognizing the hand
writing on both missives. One was
from her brother and contained key
to one of her trunks which she had
overlooked or forgotten. Three
hasty lines accompanied it. The
other-eight pages closely written,
bidding her welcome to New York,
and urging her not to be lonely or
miss the solacing company of the
writer too much. Begun in a spirit
of friendly humor, it ended in a most
passionate appeal to her heart, and
30 accumulated the feeling of loneli-
ness it deplored that Katharine hur'
ried on her wraps and went out in
the sunshine on Fifth avenue. There
she pulled herself together mental
ly and tried hard to dismiss the feel
ing that in fleeing from Richard Cath
cart and his love she had done an
unwise thing. Then she recalled the
fact that she had in her purse the
address of a dear friend who lived IN
Brooklyn, also the number of her
husbands business address on Broad
way. Calling cab, she soon found
herself at his Office. He was In and
gave her a hearty welcome.
Sophie will be delighted to see
you, Mrs. Archer, and as this happens
to be our wedding anniversary,
promised to eat luncheon at home
We will give her delightful sur
prise"
Mrs. Archer made no objection
Possibly thought of exultation ovel
her freedom to do as she pleased ac'
companied the alacrity with which