Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-10-29
DIPLOMACY and THELBDY Weak

safe and profitable thing to conceive n
platonic admiration for the wife Of
your chief. The lady likes it and
when she wants a little variety, hav-
ing heard all your best speeches
twice over, she generally goes to her
husband and suggests that he gets you
better appointment and you both
start your round again with fresh part
ners. Your chief likes it; he is re-
leased from the arena of tea cups and
allowed to play the big game in his
own fashion. I made a successful
start and might have been a Nigh =
god among Anglo-lndians only
made Il big mistake: | fell in love.
Viola Hampton was adorably pretty,
and years younger than Sir George.
What on earth induced him when on
long leave to marry a child Of eigh-
teen and bring her to Simla fresh
from the schOolroom was a question
asked by all his friends; but Sir
George knew his wife better than we
did. was young in those days, and
| may add good looking.
Violet informed me one morning
that she was a wicked woman-and
in the same breath that l must love
her eternally; also adding that | must
always remember that she was Sir
Georges wife and that she must re-
spect his name.
A few days after | received the
offer Of a much better appointment
the first step, really, on the big ladder
Of Civil Service promotion, a lucky
plum to fall into a youngsters mou h..
When l told Violet she burst into
passionate tea cld asked me il |
could be cruo. a-ough to accept it
and leave her Size sobbed in heart
broken fashion.
| looked at Violet; she was tremb-
ling with grief and passion. She wore
some white muslin gown. aud looked
pitifully girish, and OH so aw.Uliy
pretty. Tears suited her | did
love her. | was only a boy in years
as she a girl. l took her little sob
bling figure in my arms and promised
as she clung to me that ! would re
fuse he appointment and stay on, her
husbands humble secre airy. Vi-lot
whispered broke.ly that she would
love me forever. and that was the
dearest boy in the world.
1t was very nice to feel her soft
warm kisses on my mouth, and her
little fingers ruffing my hair; nicer
than fame, position, riches. dreams of
power
| kissed Violet Hampton that Ian
guild, lazy afternoon, and l sod my
birthright for a mess Of pot.ase.
Sir George gave me q keen glance
under his bushy eyebrows when l
told him | had declined the eZce.len;
appointment offered me. "Of course
you know your own affairs best" he
said, slowly; and for my part
should have been very sorry TO loose
the best secretary It as ever pleased
the fates to send me; bur. in declining
this rise you are acting like a fool
and singing your diplomatic death.
warrant Are you wise, boy? Is
anything worth it,
Time passed. l watched my juniors
climb on and pass me. Men. my in
feriors in brains and class. began to
patronize me. l was talked Of as the
man who had mulled his chance;
missed his opportunity l attained
the dignity of the pointedOut moral;
was considered an excellent example
of a fool.
And Violet, she loved me after her
fashion, and at all events never re-
placed me by a rival; out little by lit
tie schoolgirl Violet blOssomed crt
into a great lady and a woman OF al.
bition.
Violet was ruled by her head no.
by her heart. l had the the FRESH early
fragrance of her heart certainly. bit
by degrees Violet realized that he RS
are inconvenient luxuries, and really
not worth cultivating.
She was always sweetly gracious 10
her husbands secretary, and some
times more than gracious. OF course
it was an understood thing that we
should marry when it pleased Sir
George Hampton to close his eyes on
this weary world. AprOpOs Of our
a remark Violet made on the
subject will explain how far our de-
votion went, and show how much |
had got for my youth.
How foolish 1t is for women to
tire men OF them before they marry
them. You would be sick to death
of me by now, Jack, if | had not dis
covered that morality pays better
than vice. As it is, you anticipate
our marriage. Yes, you actually look
forward to some unknown day of
happiness. Thank me, Jack, for be-
ing so wise"
Sir George died, died as he would
have chosen, suddenly and in harness.
Violet broke down absolutely, and
mourned him bitterly.
Il never pretended to love him."
she cried, turning sayagely on me.
I'VE will work up a position to-
gether," I said.
You" she sho, a halfcontemptu
Gus glance at me. "Oh, you're no
good you lost your chance years
ago."
| looked at her. she had the grace
to flush and begin some half sentence
of apology, but took myself out OF
her life from that hour.
When Lady Hamptons year of
widowhood came to an end she as
tonished Anglo-lndia by marrying
one of its creates, men. She took up
the position of FIRST Lady as to the
manner lcrn. Size is a past mistress
Of diplomacy. ana great social
leader. ! may also add she is getting
stout.
For myself. have just had small
rise. 1 am one Of the crowd. lis en-