Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1906-09-27
Like a Gentleman.
BY J. A. TIFFANY.

By J. A. TIFFANY.
Copyright, 1906. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
Il beg your pardon, sir; but am
in what you call difficulty. 1t is in
the manner of being ridiculous
shall think SO afterwards; but at
present it shall embarrass me. l
came here alone, to enjoy the cool
breeze of the lake; and have lost
my little purse. Not much was there
in it, true; but l cannot walk the
seven miles to the city back. You
look like a gentleman, sir. That Is
why | trust you to tell you my trou-
ble."
And she looked like lady, in her
neat white linen suit, with tan shoes,
sailor hat and dainty lace parasol.
She was pretty, too-very pretty, and
reasonably young; she could not be
more than %. She spoke with de-
cided foreign accent; but her voice
was soft and sweetly vibratory.
81 give the gentleman my card, so
he will know me, who l am; and |
will send him the car fare through the
post Office, II he will give me his adj
dress"
81 wasn't thinking Of that" he said,
with a smile. Il will gladly let you
take any change you need. But |
was thinking-there is an awful
crowd here-may not have the
pleasure of taking you to the car and
seeing you safely to your home?
You are q most kind gentleman.
shall thank you for the courtesy.
SIR"
He gave her his arm, and together
they threaded their way through
the throng of pleasure-seekers, and
were soon seated in q car bound city
wards.
They chatted pleasantly as they
went along, unconscious Of all around
them; they might have been travelling
in a private Pullman, so absorbed
were they In one another. He gath
cred that the lady was a miniature
painter. She had come alone from
southern Europe to make her way IN
the world. He did not leave her until
she was standing safely on her own
doorstep.
But l do not know your name and
address, sir-so as to send you the car
fare" she said, as he raised his hat
and babe her goodnight"
mo-" he said; that is not at all
necessary. Is your studio hereT
EYES,"
81 was wondering whether you
wouldn't like to paint my miniature
for me. But, perhaps, your prices are
too extravagant."
81 paint a miniature for SIS, sir-a
gentleman's. Some ladies give me
more"
"And why not a gentleman"
Because / cannot take it from them.
you see."
"Ah, yes-I beg your pardon. You
shall do my miniature, II you will.
When shall l give you my first sit
ting?"
He had one the next day; and he
must have been a difficult subject for
before the miniature was finished the
sittings had been numerous and pro-
tracted. When she handed the picture
to him, he held 1t in his hand for a
minute, gave her the SIS, and said:
Now, really, l don't know what
am going to do with this. Would you
care to keep it-Marie?"
II was the first time he had called
her by her Christian name. The dark
olive cheeks became crimson for a sec
ond; and then, in her impulsive, south
ern way, she tripped over to him, took
the miniature from his outstretched
hand and kissed 1t.
But it is such a good, beautiful
face" she said, with another blush;
land you are so kind to me-"
He had called again the next day,
though his business with her was
finished; and before he took his leave
he had returned to her In person the
kiss that she had imprinted on his
miniature. After that, they had gone
to the lake resorts many times to-
gether in the evenings, and some
times, on moonlight nights, he had
hired a launch and taken her for a
or,,fco IN tho 1oEn
The harmless Irritation had drifted
into something far more seriousS and
he was getting tired Of it-either
tired Of the woman or ashamed OF
himself.
He had never told her his real
name nor his address. Always, from
the first, he had intended to break
away from the dangerous fascina-
ton of his foreign enchantress. But
the fascination had been too strong
for him.
He had really meant no disloyalty
to his absent wife when he first be-
gan to cultivate this chance acquaint-
ance of the beach. But his wife was
separated from him by half CONT
nent. He had been loyal to her
through three years of absence,