Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-04-21

lowing day, If were of duty, in order
to allow her mother the opportunity OF
thanking me more fully. You may be-
lieve that accepted the invitation with
al eagerness that she saw was too real to
be assumed.
The man who wouldn't have yielded to
that invitation under the same circum-
stances would have had to have harder
heart than the folks in Seabury, of whom
tits current rumor that they stone the
funerals that pass their doors so that
in that place no undertaken can be hired
70 use an ordinary sort Of hearss. sir.
THE next day the Widow Stirling re-
ceiyed me pleasantly and l might say al
most overwhelmed me with her efusiys
thanks for what l had done for her
daughter, which was mere nothing, sir.
aad all in the way OF my duty as an Oh
Ger. not to add as man, sir.
The days passed on and met Blanche
frequently going with her to theaters'
and dances and such like and all the
while getting deeper and deeper in love
calf love, mind you, for I'd never loved
beforehand l felt just like rat In a
feather mattress that can't tell where
he's at till he's come out Of 1t, sir.
zone night when l passed the house
and saw Ned Remich in the sitting room
beside Blanche l grew nearly frantic
with jealousy. l had not counted on
rival and the appearance Of Ned on the
street after that always acted on me ike
a red rag on a goose, sir. Don't look as
II I'd made slip; use the word ad-
visedly, sir.
Ned, l can say now, was a good look
ing fellow with black curly hair cut SO
that it seemed as II he had a cap on
when his hat was off, If you came up be-
hind him. The next time you're back
Of an orchestra see II you can't pick out
some fellow that looks like that, sir. At
that time l would have told you Ned
Remich looked like a peach orchard
out of cultivation, but naturally see
things clearer now. Ned was really a
good looking fellow and good hearted
one. too, as I've found out many times
since then.
Between Ned and me the rivalry Tor
Branche Strings heart waged fast and
furious. We hardly spoke to each other
although we had been passing acqualnt-
ances before. Blanche never invited us
both to the house the same evening ano
30 a direct clash was avoided.
Every time l called the Widow Stlrl-
ing sat there as calm and collected as
you please with a pleasant nod Tor me
always and an occasional word or two IN
the conversation. She never left us alone
in the room and gave me no chance 10
speak to Blanche on the subject OF which
my head and heart were full. l PAID
both the ladies all sorts of pretty compli'
ments l could think of, but that was
about the limit. Several times when
Blanche and l were out together at socia
affairs without the chaperonage OF hei
mother had started to ask her for bel
hand, but she had always stopped me
one way or another before could make
a direct avowal of my love. Usually she
pretended petulancy and, If that ap
peared about to fail, tears. Against the
latter l was powerless. She explained
the tears by nervousness and hysterli
to which she was liable
"Ned Remich and l used to glare a
each other as you've seen bulldogs d
across the street when some ones hold
ing them from each other. 1t wa
Blanche Stirling that held us back Will
at the same time she unknowingly incite'
lis to commit serious breach OF Tn
peach.
when my passion had about reache
! its height found another chance to dis
tinguish myselfin the eyes of the Stirling
household. Passing the house late a
night. l was astounded to see ma
trying to fit key at the front door.
hadn't heard from Blanche for two days
but knew she was at home. The ma
acted as bold as might be and whispere
to myself: There's a pretty case @
sneak tnieving that don't go on my beat
with that up and grabbed him. ID
started to yell, but put my hand owe
his mouth. | wasn't going TO let hiI
, arouse the Strings at that hour OF tn
night. The man fought and struggled
but when he tried TO enter into eXplana
tons was feeling that savage | hit hi
with my club until at least he had
come along quietly. At the station
. hooked him as drunk and what with tn
e clubbing I'd given him he acted 1t, to-
81 didn't want to be hard on the poe
devil after the way I'd beaten him and
Judged that he'd think himself lucky
he let off with a charge of drunkenes
after what he'd been attempting to DO.
1.-THE next morning when went COW
to the station there was good SIZE
drama waiting for me. The central I'll
ures were the Widow Stirling and III
pretty daughter Blanche. AS l entere
r their backs were toward me and n
prisoner was just being LED out OF II
cell.
Blanches arms we're around his nee
In an instant and she was saying som
+ thing didn't understand. l was thu
= derstruck. At last they broke away al
she, looking toward me, gave sudd'
start.
: your father, Miss?" l asked.
mo, my husband" was the reply.
Y "You could have knocked me dow
o with a chunk offog was that weak. II
e floor seemed to open under me and
rubbed my eyes to see If couldn't wal
I'D. 1t was no go. coughed violent
3 and went into side room to get drii
of water to clear my throat.