Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-02-16

| BOSSlppluS Olu ucH SOI pOsSSSSiO0 %
those few incidents, imagined many
worse ones, and poured the tale into
Sadies ears with such elaborateness o.
detail that the poor girl could not doubt
it. She returned to town yesterday.
cannot get her to listen to a word" The
speaker again began his restless pacing
Finally, he leaned against the piano, fold
ed his arms, wearing a most forlorn
expression.
Priscilla" he began, hesitatingly, 81
Il wonder if you wouldn't run down
and see herr"
81 will, willingly, if you think best.
Have you told her all?"
"Why, no-that is, would have done
so, but she gave me no chance. From
her talk judged that she already knew
it, and every time began to speak she
broke in so fiercely that l feared she
might become hysterical."
III drive down after lunch. am so
sorry Frank, but, really. | hardly know
what to do"
Your good common sense will lead
to something, | am sure. At least, l
hope so, for my own sake"
Priscilla reached the Atherton apart
ment undecided as to her line OF conduct,
but before entering resolved to appear
entirely ignorant of the affair, think
ing that such a pardOnable deception
would result in a more confidential talk
with her friend. Once inside, she had
little need to feign surprise. On the
floor, attired in a loose morning wrap
per, her hair none too tidy, with eyes
red from excessive weeping, sat Sadie.
the picture of despair. Into three par
TALLY filled trunks articles of wearing
apparel silverware and jewelry were
being recklessly thrown.
why, Sadie Anterior! What on
earth" began Priscilla, really alarmed
at the dismal scene. A fresh torrent of
tears was the immediate reply. Throw
ing herself down by the side of the APP
parently heart-broken woman, Priscilla
first endeavored to quiet her agitation,
and then gently to draw from her the
other side of a story that was hardly less
distressing for the one to hear than for
the other to tell A grewsome tale it
was, indeed, and the girl was glad that
Frank had told his story first That
his was the truth, and all the truth,
she doubted not an instant.
Who told you this?" finally inquired
Priscilla.
Mrs. Gympton."
The worst gossip in the city. Did
she tell you the girls name?"
mo; but from her description, just
know it was that odious actress" jam
ming satin gown into a corner of
trunk as she spoke.
And on the strength of this miser-
able gossip. you are breaking up your
home, running your life and Franks as
well?"
But he never denied it."
did you give him the opportunity"
II don't know; l was so utterly
wretched."
Did you even ask him the woman's
name?"
why, no; but"
Sadie Atherton, l am surprised at
you! Frank simply had to make that
trip to the Beach. Business, and moth
ing else, was the cause of his going. And
as for his companion, at lunch and at
terward," here utterance became diff
cult, Ibis companion, say, was myself"
"You!"
yes" Having made the plunge, her
strokes were bold and strong. rs there
anything strange in that? Could either
Of us imagine that such spiteful SLAM
der would reach you before you would
be Informed of it in an ordinary man
ner? No doubt Frank was too surprised
at your Outburst to remember who was
with him. even had you asked him"
Mrs. Anterior again resorted to tears
welcome tears Of relief.
Had Priscilla searched for justifica-
ton, she might have found it in the
complete joy Of her friend. The room
was soon restored to order, and by the
performance of certain mysterious rites,
the traces Of recent grief we're banished
from the happy face of Mrs. Anterior.
1t was late in the afternoon before
Priscilla reached home. AS she ascend
ed the steps, an alarming thought turned
her giddy for an instant. Frank would
not know how she had made peace for
him, and unconsciously would betray
her She hurried through the door and
telephoned to his Office, and was in
formed that he had started uptown. Real
izing the Importance of seeing him, she
resolved to intercept him, if possible, at
the .Fiftieth street station of the elevat-
ed, where he generally alighted
After vainly watching the endless pro-
cession descending the elevated start
way for quarter of an hour she felt
baffied, knowing that she had lost the
race. Grimly resolving to learn the
worst at once, three minutes later found
her again entering the Anterior apart
ment. Despair gave place to hope
Frank was not there. Having no pre-
text for calling, she was somewhat en-
barrassed. Mentally searching for
something she had not forgotten, she
was greatly relieved as Frank opened
the door Sadies gave a cry of delight
and threw herself in his arms, ex-
claiming, ooh, Frank, I've been such a
goose"
IVA k@