Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-02-26

lOISIb ludJ IL was a COlu hiBhOs uAiN
that her black wooden shawl thrown
over her head was a very slender pro
lection. The shawl was trailing be
hi&d her as she ran to her papa, and
sobbing, threw herself into his arms
ooh, papa, she didn't mean it-mam
ma didn't mean for you to gd away
and never come back! Won'tyou come
to her now, please, papa?"
Norton, brushing his silk hat, fell
once more moved to. laughter-per
haps not the laughter of merely
humorous apprecia ton, but still laugh
ter. Taught by his late experience, ht
moderated his laugh to hardly aud
ible chuckle, and then, as that excited
no fresh outbreak on the part of Con
MES papa, he spoke up.
Eyes, Connie"-he had caught the
little ones name-"papa's going home
But you mustn't catch cold, little girl
Herel"
lie was taking off his own oyercoa1
to throw over the child when her ia
Their, still sitting in the snow hugging
her to his peajacket, looked up and
caught him in the act.
"If you take off that coat, you Il
cotch your death Of noomony, mister,
he said.
81 shall not have time for that, part
ner. Why not2 Because I'm going to
send you home with Connie while &c
the other way" He nodded in the di-
rection Of the river. 81 have no home
where I'm wanted, and no little girl
to rur. about in the snow looking for
me-"
Connie looked up at him over her
papa's shoulder. Amt you got-no-
body at ALP"
Nobody at all, Connie. Here, let me
see if the coats too long for YOU
Her papa rose and gathered up the
trailing black shawl. run on home,
baby" he said, wrapping it tight about
her. "Run on now, just as fast as you
can, and tell mamma I'm coming right
away-soon as l get through talking
to this gentleman on business"
Norton took something out Of his
pocket. stopped, and transferred the
something to Comics hand, whisper
ing to her, and she, after one puzzled
stare, disappeared up the street. lie
looked after her q moment, and then,
turning away with a chuckle, said:
"You must have been clean off your
head, partner. And you tried to make
out l was. ! wish you'd tell me what
the trouble is. But, anyhow, l know
now you hadn't half my excuse for
wanting to jump into the river"
Think so, Ell? How would you like
it if you worked hard for ten years,
and then had to see your things all
sold out-horse and wagon and every
thing-and your wife saying you're
no kind of use"
That's enough" Norton interrupt
ed. ITS only money with you. By the
way, what's your name? McCorkle?
All right, McCorkle. just want to tell
you that you don't know when you're
well off. Come on, McCorkle; Pm 60
ing to put off that swim with the ice
cakes until tomorrow night Ugh!
1t surely is a good deal more comfort
able with this coat on. Hope l didn't
seriously hurt your arms just now"
The two late combatants began to
plod together through the snow in the
roadway. "Now, see here, McCOrkle,
I'm putting off my plunge just for one
thing-iust to write a check to your
order. You agree to take that check
and use it? You won't? All right,
then. Good night" He turned back
and began to unbutton his coat again.
McCorkle was really doubtful about
the suicidal intention of this top-hat-
ted man who had interfered with his
own impulse in that direction. He
had to acknowledge himself conquered
on this line, too, for the sake Of his
own peace of conscience, and having
had sufficient proof of his inability to
save the other man by physical force.
Besides, he longed to be back with
his wife and Connie. SO he solemnly
promised to accept the check and con-
scented to show Mort on the little tene-
ment just around the corner on the
avenue that was his home. And so
Norton had the good fortune to meet
Mrs. McCorkle.
Norton was young in years, and still
younger in general experience. Much
of his life had been spent on a western
cattle range, in a region where Mrs.
McCorkle's sex was scantily and not
favorably represented. Pondering tho
situation revealed by Comics sob
bling message, and by the scene at
which he assisted in the NcCorklO
home, he began to think that a wom-
ans word needs much interpreting and
patient study. And that other person
was of Mrs. McCorkle's sex, though
in unlike circumstances. Upon which
Norton resolved TO wait for the inter.
probation of events.
The following note reached him at
his hotel next morning:
Dear Jack: If you had not gone of
in a huff you would have learned be-
fore now that DR.. Brereton, who
seemed to be the cause Of your out
rageous behavior is going to be my
step-papa. 1t was not for me to tell
,-o,, b,,t rn.porno cavc uav-nory
She would have told you herself, if
you had come up and had & cup of tea
with her. You may thank her for this
note; I would never have written it,
I could have shaken you. He thought
your tantrums so funny!"-N. Y.
Times.
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