Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-03-09
as in other things >.

do III OJuCl lAAhSos
Edythe gave him winning smile. He
had touched her weak spot.
"And by the way" Ellsworth went on
In another tone, doubtless he can be
of some assistance to me in locating my
man"
Very likely. Jack Is awfully popu-
lar; knows all kinds of people"
He appeared to be bordering some
thing a moment before he said:
Perhaps l had better tell you little
OF the thing first, and you might submit
it to him afterward We are such old
friends" he added by way of explana-
ton.
Just as you wish" Her voice was
sweet and easy.
But, after ALL" Ellsworth pursued
after a. moments hesitation, Il dislike
to obtrude this affair upon you. L" he
broke off, gazing straight ahead of him
a trifle uncertainty.
She waited for him to go on, but he
said nothing and presently she spoke:
ut will be all right" she said, gently;
I'VE shall be glad to do what we can
for you"
Ellsworth drew a deep breath and
turned his eyes on her In strange, ap-
pealing way.
His name is Barsdale," he said,
slowly. He broke her heart and left
the place-for New York, have every
reason TO believe"
"Barsdale!" she repeated, whitening
to the lips.
He glanced at her, startled, a sicken-
ing fear at his heart. Something in the
deepening eyes, the tense tone and
colorless face made him mute.
"Barsdale, did you say?" she demand
ed again, in strained voice, one trem-
bling hand involuntarily claSping his
coat sleeve.
What seemed an interminable pause
ensued before Ellsworth spoke.
why, yes" he said in matter-of-
fact way. quite common name here,
l believe" This was lie, and he knew
it, but it was the only thing to do.
"And this happened in-in-?"
I'm San Francisco"
The girls heart almost stopped beat
ing. A strange, broken look came into
her face and her eyes dulled. But in
little while she pulled herself together,
smothering in common trivialities the
undercurrent of fierce excitement that
shook her.
Arrived at her home, Ellsworth found
himself ushered into long, low, candle
cleaning room, where all sorts of rare
and unique things had got together for
the entertainment and comfort Of who
ever might chance there.
Edythe excused herself temporarily,
presently returning in dinner toilet of
some filmy green material that wonder
fully set off the fresh daintiness Of her
face and form. The pink had come back
to her cheek, and but for suppressed
CLEAN in the usually soft eyes nothing
remained to indicate the presence of
fierce inward struggle.
I'm so sorry" she began, slipping
easily into low chair b. the fireplace,
'but have just found note from my
husband saying that he has been ordered
to the south. His business keeps him
from home the greater part Of the time,
she explained.
Despite the tremendous lump of relief
that came into his throat, Ellsworth ex-
pressed his sincere regret at the circum-
stance, and turned the conversation into
commonplace channels.
Perhaps you would like to look at
some pictures, she chatted on, careless
ly, stretching her little trap. "How do
you like this one?"
He glanced indifferently at the group
of debutantes she held up for his in
spection and delivered some trifiing
compliment.
"And this?" she asked, a wretched lit
tie smile struggling for a second to her
lips. She bent forward, holding her
breath in perceptible stress, her mouth
cold, stern-index to an agonized heart.
Ellsworth received the photograph be-
tween fingers ruled into steadiness. He
glanced casually into the handsome eyes
that laughed up at him from the card
board.
"a very striking face" he remarked,
carelessly, permitting his gaze to rest
briefly on the clear-cut, familiar fea-
lures. who is it?"
''Why. that's Jack-my hugband-he |
is handsome, isn't he?" she broke out
with a hysterical little laugh that was
more than a sob.
Ellsworth was silent for awhile, CIV
ing her time to get back to herself again. !
But his other name-you haven't |
told me that yet" he reminded her, after
a little. Think Of 1t, and I've been in
your house nearly an hour" He
laughed and took up another picture.
"Of course. How very absurd Of me.
Barsdale is his name; John Morton
Barsdale. Isn't it coincidence?"
Ellsworth felt his heart pounding
against his side like trip-hammer, but |
he merely nodded in an off-hand manner J
and changed the subject
An hour and a half later, Mrs. Bars
dale pressed tear-drenched, but very |
radiant, face to an inanimate piece OF
cardboard, murmuring foolish words OF |
endearment to the face that smiled away |
her fears.