Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-04-07
Observation-Disclosures.
aero s s
HIS PATH

SWELL, my lad, it's good to hav'
wv YOU back once more"

are you really DSllSl
Sound as a DRUM Never felt bet
ter in my life. There is nothing like
New Zealand air, after ALL"
$50 l should judged" exclaimed Sill
Hervey Ralston. world of affection
in eye and voice, as he surveyed the
sunburnt face before him.
Talking of health, you don't look
much amiss yourself, Uncle Hervey;
which, under the circumstances, is not
surprising"
Sir Henry found his sunny smile
infectious. Perhaps not. You viii
be able to judge for yourself this
evening. There is a function at Lady
Wolverton's, and, although I an
sorry it occurs. on the night Of yom
return, l thought you would prefer tc
come"
Sitting his disappointment, Ralston
rejoined: by all means, Uncle Her
vey l would not have you change
your plans on my account for the
world. Besides which, I am anxious tc
make the acquaintance of my future
aunt"
Sir Henry laughed. "T never looked
at it in that light before. She is
younger than you. my boy"
"And so are you in many ways,
retorted Ralston, stoutly. you are a
generation younger than most men Of
45, Uncle Hervey. You know you are.
The deprecating, almost wistful look
called forth by his words was not lost
upon the younger man, who fastened
to aver: "T was desperately glad to
hear your piece Of news; found the
letter waiting for me at Santa Cruz
You are much too good to die bach
elor, so l shall kick my heels with a
light heart at your wedding, notwith-
standing the back seat now in store
for yours to command"
The laugh with which he ended was
not a natural one, and his lips qulv-
cred under the fair mustaChe. The
undivided affection of many years
standing, affection that between uncle
and nephew was almost unique, was
undivided no longer.
A drive of half an hour brought
them to Sir Hervey's house.
"H'm!" observed Ralston, with a
glance at the newly painted front.
"Festive arrangements beginning
early Which is the happy day."
"The sixth of April" replied Sil
Hervey, leading the way into the
house.
"And this is the tenth of February;
it will be here in no time"
81 am glad you are back before April
lad. l began to think Dunedin was to
claim you as a permanency, and
want you as best man for the occa-
sion"
Hugh Ralston's eyes shone with
pride. "I feel honored, Uncle Hervey
Any pretty bridesmaids to the fore"
"You will probably meet one or two
of them this evening. We have not
much time to lose. You know your
| room"
Lady Wolverton's receptions were
always we'll attended. In her position
as queen of society in which she
moved she had been ably seconded by
her daughter, Adelaide, whose en-
gagement to Sir Hervey Ralston sht
viewed with unalloyed delight. Hill
immense wealth was an undispute(
fact. their own property being know
only to mother and daughter. How
much of the achievement of Sir Her
vey's desire had been due to the ma
ternal pressure brought to bear upol
the girl was not realized by the lat
ter herself. so subtle and ingenious
had Lady Wolverton's tactics been.
"Now for the fray" murmuret
young Ralston as they mounted tn
staircase; "the usual crush is evident
ly in store"
They had entered the reception
room, and there, standing under tn
friendly light of hanging lamp, Rails
ton saw the most beautiful girl he hat
ever in his life beheld.
"Ah!" exclaimed Sir Hervey, tn
blood coursing through his veins wit
a rapidly almost boyish. Come
Hugh, and let me have the pleasure
presenting you; it is one to which
have long looked forward"
Adelaide Wolverton had seen Their
and was ready with a gracious wei
come for the nephew about whom sh
had heard so much.
"And this is Hugh" she sale
"You must not expect me to call 20
anything else, for your name has be
come a household word among us, ha
it not?" She turned to Sir Hervey
who met the shy, sweet glance wit
one of gratitude. That these two
whom he loved better than all tn
world besides, should be friends, wa
his one desire-a desire that SCENE
likely to be fulfilled as the evenin
= wore away.
"Ten me-" said Adelaide Wolverto
some two hours later, that you d
not look upon me as an interlopel
l was desperately afraid of you befor
l saw you"
Ralston laughed "And what di
you fear in me?" he asked.
81 feared your jealousy" was th
prompt reply, "for knew how niue
you and Sir Hervey had been to eac
other. Jealous people are so unref
sonable, are they not?"
80 l should Imagine"
"Ah, the conditional mood. That
delightful. Then you do not bear N
any in will?"
Ralston looked at the upturned fac
and reioined: "Ill will? How coul
, l bear you anything but the very n
verse;" With grandiloquence he trie
to cover his embarrassment, but AID,
laide Wolverton was not deceive
She knew, and knew also that Ralsto
was aware of her knowledge, tn,
their meeting had proved no ordinal
one. For love had awakened, a 10y
that would never sleep again.
= GI coa che caid SLOWLY unfurliI