Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-11-30
CROESUS,
LIMITED

see the dancers, and the sight was
very refreshing to his soul. Had he
not hired the biggest hall in London
for the occasion, and was not his sons
coming of age as big an event as any
that the dying season had taken the
trouble to celebrate?
Mrs. Manstie, too, was at his side.
They were an imposing couple. Their
height was about equal. In breadth
possibly the matronly figure was the
moro expansive of the two. Mr..
Manstie's diamond rings and flashing
studs were merely the reflection CT
the glory which he himself had be-
slowed on his spouse. He twinkled,
but she blazed.
Her dark brown eyes were dreamy
with a hope that had its roots some
where far down in the earth, its
branches a little above the sixta
heaven.
"Jethro," she said, as she nudged
him, gently, "d'you see who Lewis ID
dancing WITH"
Eyes, l know" he grunted, but l
don't see anything to be so mighty
surprised at"
1.-THE surprising thing" Mrs. Mans
tie returned, '1s that she should be
here at all. These Haddens are OF
the much-uplifted sort, and, then, she
is exceedingly beautiful"
you are quite egg-centric, Clara" "
observed her husband, trenchan!iy.
This uplifting, as you call it, is ex-
ploded, gone pop absolutely! There's
not a person in this place l couldn't
buy up tomorrow.
EYES," murmured Mrs. Manstie; mo
doubt you are right, Jethro. At the
same time, see Miss Hadden is now
dancing with some one else. Ish (
that young Marsden Hume?"
You don't suppose she'd ever trou-
BILE about him? Father a half-pay
colonel, or something. Nice looking,
you say? Well, and isn't Lewis nice
looking?"
"Yet, she might-you know what
girls are-she might conceivably-"
Look here" said Jethro. i've made
up my mind what I'll do, and then you
shall see what is what, my lady!"
An hour later he whispered in her
ear:
It's all right! They're coming UP
to Braidkennoch In August"
What? Who?" questioned Mrs.
Manstie, family.
THAT chap Hume and that girl Vera
MADDEN. Jumped at it, both Of them,
of course! So now we'll pit them
against one another, this whippersnap-
per against my SON. A fair field and
no favor. What do you say to that
for a scheme?"
Braidkennoch castle was quite full.
It was one of those immense piles OF
granite and stucco which excite the
rage Of antiquaries; but within it was
superbly comfortable, and even when
a Scotch mist enveloped the visible
world there was ample amusement for
everyone.
Vera MADDEN had at first accepted
the attentions Of Lewis Manstie with
out thinking. she thought his people
Overwhelmingly kind. She could nos
help feeling a trifie vexed at their
undisguised vulgarity, but in the sons
presence it could be forgotten. He was
bright, clever and amusing. More, he
had acquired a polish which seemed to
wipe out the original vulgarity of his
house
Then, too, there was something II
the background. The Haddens had
fallen on evil days.
Mr.. Manstie was fond Of throwing
out hints as to the position which his
wealth would give to his son in the
future.
His friends drank his wine, shot his
birds, and let him talk.
Mrs Manstie came to him from time
to time with news.
Thus she informed him one day:
Lewis was out with her the whole
afternoon!"
This gleeful declaration had the
merit of being true.
Moreover, Lewis had spoken.
He had asked her, in brief terms, to
marry him, and she had answered:
"Giye me time to think it oyerl"
It was great temptation, There
Il -
and all 1t would mean to them. There
was the sense Of security for the fu-
ture. And the man had phrased hls
hopes so nicely; there had been no
Dragging, no violent protestations;
there had been nothing romantic about
it, but just quietly sensible protests
ton made by a man to a woman OF
the world.