Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-06-01
By josephine Moore Richardson

| VIE came ON me very Suuuenly'
y was sitting on a log, peacefully
awaiting Harry's return. He had gone
to the village for tobacco, having let
all we had fall in the fire while cook
ing fish, thereby spelling dinner as well
as the tobacco. We had parted with a
few unkind remarks, but a nap had
somewhat restored me. The fact that
he was evidently supping In the viii
lage was a little trying, however. l
rose hastily, staring at the girl.
Where did you drop from?" de-
manded.
Prom the Skies" she said pertly.
"That, of course" I said gravely.
$50 glad you told me, though, we have,
down on this mundane sphere, the
habit of considering all women as be-
ing of your class 1t gives me more
pleasure than l can say to really know
one of the genuine article. Might one
inquire where are your wings?"
Hidden under my shirt waist, OF
course. 1 only use them when l am in
the air."
'T see. Will you be seated, Miss
Angel? Is that the way to address
your"
"'Twill serve! You may be seated,
too. l allow 1t in spite Of my exalted
rank"
Thanks. There Is one more thing
that worries me, Miss Angel. II you
flew down, how did you get this torn
appearanceP Did l not know better l
should think you and barbed wire
fence had had a controversy"
'T fell, no, 1 lit in a blackberry
bush" she said as she gazed at her
torn walking skirt. "I came here to
see what you are doing by yourself"
"I am a hermit, you must know
that. am a womanhater, misogyn-
list, pessimist, a"
"That is enough. Do not pile on the
agony"
''Well, feel all that. Here come
into the Wilds Of the forest
"Three miles from the village" she
INTERRUPTED. Zone mile from sum-
mer resort"
81 take no part in any Of 1t. l am
hidden away from petticoats-"
"There is a Chinaman at the springs
who wears them" she flippantly re-
marked.
away from women" I said frown-
ing. "And here they go and send one
down from heaven. 1t is very hard"
"They knew no mere earthly woman
was good enough for you" she jeered.
"How admirably you grasp the sit
uation. How long are you sentenced
to stay with me?"
THAT depends on how worthy you
are; or how much in need OF a guar
dian angel you are"
"I certainly need one. But having
done without all these 20 years, doubt
If I can accustom myself to the lux
ury."
"You will wonder what you ever did
without me-"
DOUBTLESS. suppose you under
stand how particular hermit has to
be- so will you kindly tell me for
whom you were guardian angel last,
how long you held down the job, and
II you have any references?"
81 have none," she said sadly. '"This
Is nv first assignment. You can dis
miss me if you wish. There was grave
doubt as to whether you could be
trusted with a guardian angel; they
were sure you'd lose her. Couldn't
you take me on my face?"
"Let me look at your face" leaned
forward, earnestly She colored and
laughed.
Twill 1 do?" she said anxiously.
"IIl tell you what see written
there" said, still looking at her. II
see. first of all, a pretty face"
go on" she said encouragingly.
"The eyes are full of mischief. and
she is enjoying novel situation-if
It Is novel?"
"It is. am not in the habit OF talk
ing to strange men,"
mo? You seemed so ready, so apt"
said rather sarcastically.
"You are very impertinent."
mot at all. I simply follow your
lead. I think have behaved remark
ably we'll considering everything"
own was not acting as a gentleman,
but she was too pretty to be flirting
with strange men.
"Show me the way to the village in
stantly," she said, sternly.
"T thought angels knew everything, "
l said, coolly.
She grew very white. We looked at
each other in silence. ''I'd rather die
IN the woods" she said, than have
Won show me the way. I'd certainly
feel safer wandering than with you. )"
7 could have killed her was so angry
with her.
eIt is your own fault" l stormed.
"You led me on. II you go talking to
strange men in that style you won't
find them always as respectful as I've
been can tell you. Don't be silly
You have lost your way. You are three
miles from the village, and 1t is nearly
dark. l have no intention of talking
to you. All l ask is for you to follow
me-"
trudged on; she came behind me;
neither spoke. sent up a fervent
nrayer that Harry would not meet us
7 did not care to be the butt of the
club. We had covered a good two
miles when 1 heard a crash, and
looked back to see the angel stretched
out full length went to her rescue
sfifly. She waved my hand away and
promptly fell back with a groan. A
nretty situationl How on earth was
7 TO get her back to her people? Once
should have thought the whole thing
romantic. Now l longed to shake ner'
"Are you much hurt?" ] demanded
none too alphabetically, ] fear.
ut is my foot" she said, and began
to cry.