Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-09-17
THE RANDOLPHS
OF NEVADA% ~
BY HERMAN KNOELLER
SS@GGGSSSGS%SG
Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub. co.,

years experience lin 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 held and
men of the world who filed her with
! distrust. The women seemed elthei
too narrow and frivolous to endure
or so worldly-wise as to be mt com,
nanions for the men with the past.
However. she was beautiful and
nlacid as ever as she swept into the
drawing-room at the Mortlmers' AS
usual. She became at once the center
of a 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 otheI
men. Instead of the conventions
evening coat, he wore Prince AlOer'
and wore it most ungracefully. his
attire throughout lacked the HUE
elegances so essential to correctness,
and his whole bearing was thaV u
a cat in a strange garnet.
.sFor goodness sake, how did tha1
break in?" giggled Algy Van Blsclt' ao'
iusting his monocle.
ooh. that must be Mr.. Randolph
business acquaintance of papas from
the west" exclaimed Helen Mortimer
with q glance of mock severity at Algy'
"Papa saws he is a very smart young
man who has done some. wonderful
things in engineering or irrigation or
something like that, and he wants 10
show him some country" and Helen
turned to meet him.
Nobody excepting Mr.. Mortimer took
mains to make matters easier 1or the
stranger and he foundered worse the
further into the room he got. lie APP
preciated fully his helplessness and ms
disadvantage. Every one was on the
point Tor over it) of giggling 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 RandolphsY" 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
trfcal. His nervous half-fright drop
ned from him in an instant. lie 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.
NO" 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;
"Old 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
eve 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
70 find time 10 make a 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 very different man than when
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:
''Mr. Randolph, want to apologize
to YOU for my rudness. 1t was ill-bred
and inexcusable from any point of
view"
"Do not mention 1t, I beg of YOU" he
replied heartily. 81 appreciate the
fact that l am very much out of place
here, and if 1 look like 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 will be glad to
show you some of the sights"
He started and looked at her ear
nestly. She met his gaze unfniching'
ly, but still crimson.
81 will come" said he.
He called the next day, and she
took him for long ride through the
park and drives.
DuY-:nO the ride she drew him out