Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-02-09
FALL OF A VETERAN.
BY G. II. NoRTHCRoFT.

He was known as Thoughtful Tom
kins" among his acquaintance; his in
Inmates called him "T. T." Thus does
friendship assist to longevity. And b"
cause the sobriquet were not inappro-
pirate, he felt enbarrassingly out OF
place at the suburban ball, where he
first met her. She seemed most be-
wilderingly beautiful to the tall, shy
youth, as he leaned against a pillar
his moist hands clasped behind him.
That night Cupid was in form; no sec
ond shaft was needed
After weeks of fruitless searching he
met her again. With patience
worthy of the best of causes he had
tried to find her unaided. But he only
knew her as the most beautiful girl
in London; so his quest was trifie
difficult. At length. with many bushes,
he turned to the friend who had first
introduced them and promptly secured
a clew
ooh, she's in a tea shop somewhere
in the ethyl"
Then he began a course of teas and
lunches extending over a wide area.
Faint, yet pursuing, he sat down on a
spring evening at one of the familiar
species of handicapped tables, and
from behind him there approached the
White-capped vestal who served that
particular altar.
Good evening, Mr.. Tomkins! What
may l get your"
Yes, it was she; and he could only
gasp and stammer.
ooh, Miss Bell! How delighted l am
to see you again! I've been wondering
If l ever should. In fact, I've been
looking for you everywhere"
Have you, really? How nice!"
eyes, that's just how l feel! Good
heavens, think you look better in
black than anything"
Don't be silly! Shall get you some
tea?"
"Tea? Oh, yes! 1 hadn't thought
of that. OF course, tea and toast
Thus began an evolution in intimacy
that was both swift and interesting to
the onlookers, and Of deep Importance
to at least one of those concerned
Every evening he came and each time
stayed longer But always and only
ia tea.
"Why don't you come to lunch?" she
asked him one day.
ooh, l can't very WE'LL"
"But it isn't far from your Officer"
ooh, no; quite near! About five
minutes walk"
''I suppose you like somewhere else
better. Tigers is only good enough
for tea? I see!"
Really, no! it's not that at ALT"
81 suppose you do have lunch?"
ooh, regularity"
'Well, come here. We have very
nice joints and things, and this table
isn't always full. That is, of course, il
you care for me to wait upon you!"
Poor Tomkins! That look and a
piece of muffin nearly finished him. He
had to clasp her hand before he could
reply.
Winnie, you know it's not that
"Well, why don't you Gomez"
And her smile defied him to give a
sensible reason.
Look here" he answered, you
come off early tomorrow night, don't
you?"
eyes"
Meet me at the corner of Chancery
lane and let US go for a walk togeth
er? Do, Winnie" he continued in a
whisper, then I'll tell you why
don't come to lunch"
She had never been to Hampstead
Heath before, and it had been specially
arranged for her to get good impress
sion of it that evening. Who would
dream she was a waitress, thought
Tomkins as he stepped proudly along
at her side, trembling every time their
elbows touched? She seemed to his
imagination a goddess in modern garb
escaped from the fragrant wood that
doomed before them in the spring twi
light
81 promised to tell you"
''Yes?"
"To tell you-about-why,I mean,
don't come to lunch!"
Don't if you had rather not, you
know. 1t doesn't matter in the least. >
But want to. Shall we sit DOWN.
The kindly shadows yelled their rest
ing place and only the spring breeze
heard.
"I've always been a queer fellow,
believe" he began, serious and shy;
what some chaps call 'goody-goody.
I'm not really, you know. I'm very
fond of sport and do a lot of cycling
II love cycling!" she interpolated.
I'm what they call a fellow with no
lions. I suppose it's because I read
a good deal. And 1 believe we don't
feed properly
what do you mean?"
"That isl mean-we ought to cal
more fruit and nuts and that sort OF
thing. In fact, I'm vegetarian,
and"
But her silvery laugh cut short his
explanation.
"Oh, Jack, you silly boy! Is that
all? What rubbish! But 1 am glad!
1 was afraid"
What? What were you afraid of,
WINNER
Il was afraid-it-was some one
else''
ooh, Winnie! Some one else?
Never!"
His arm stole round her waist and
drew her toward him. Their hands
were tightly clasped. And-yes. her
lips were perfect.
Next day she triumphantly placed
before him full mans portion OF
roast beef and Yorkshire" The cher.
ished theory was exploded. Adam had
Observation-Disclosures Opinion.
Profitable Mistake.
She-Some people profit by the mis-
takes of others.
lilo tho r,ipictpr M cot .,