Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-10-24
GRADUATING
NIGHT
D. NELLIE cRAvEY GILMORE

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Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
Il was past midnight when the IL
brary door opened and somebody put
his head in the opening. There was
only one person who ever entered Mr..
Denton's sanctum without knocking.
and the latter barely lifted his head as
he asked:
What is It, Perkins?"
Il beg pardon, sir; but it's getting
on towards one o'clock, and 1 was
thinking. sir. that"
Yes, yes, Of course, Perkins. It's
a iucky thing for me that have you
to take care Of me, else" He broke
on with q significant shake of his
head and turned round in his revolv-
Ing chair. He met the anxious eyes
Of bis faithful servant fred upon him,
and his face broke into a quick smile.
you needn't worry, old fellow" he
said; I'm ali right Just a bit blue
tonight, Perkins. You've been with
me twenty years. Do you remember
OF what this is the anniversary"
It's the thirtieth of May, sir. Is It
was it" He came to a standstill
and stood regarding his master with
misty eyes. Hadn't you better go
to bed. sir. begging your pardon?"
Mr.. Denton rose and pulled down
the roller-top with a snap. He
stretched himself YEARLY and started
toward the door, Perkins in the lead
Was there any mail for me this
afternoonf" he asked. as he reached
the corridor.
me. sir; only some tickets and
things as were left here by some
young ladies' put them on your
dressing table. sir"
When Mr.. Denton had dismissed his
devoted bodyguard for the night he
turned his attention absently to the
tickets and things" lying on a porce-
lain tray. He picked them up with a
sudden dawning of curiosity. II was
no charity bazaar, or baby show, this
time, but tickets for the high school
commencement. Who could have left
them here? He had been In the city
but month, and his acquaintance
especially among schoolgirls-was alb
solutsly- Yes, yes, of course; little
Dolly Winterby. his housekeeper's
niece. He rscollscted 1t suddenly; she
had been at the house less than a week
ago. asking for flowers for the occas-
ion. from his dollhouse and garden.
For some inexplicable reason Mr..
Denton could not bring himself to
seek his pillow. He was oddly restless;
something, many things, had stirred
his recollections to the dregs, bitter,
hRlf-forgotten. He sat down In a chair
and gave himself up completely to
"auld lang syne." A score of years ago
he had been the happiest man in the
village of Redville. He loved the most
beautiful girl in the county, and so
certain was he Of her love in return
that he had already bought the ring,
the house and lot. They were not &C.
tually betrothed, but the bond of mu-
tual confession had seemed to leave
nothing to be desired, beyond the con-
sent OF her parents for him to place
the ring on her finger. This was to
be withheld until the night of her
graduation. and then-happiness
When that night came she left sud
denly for two months visit in
neighhoring town, without ever telling
him that she was going, or saying
good-byi
Twenty years. How many things
had happened in that time-to every
body but him! Kathleen had married
another man two years after her cool
dismissal Of him and they had moved
away from Redville. He had never
seen her since. Would he ever see
her again? He was not sure that he
wanted to. His wound had been too
deep and poignant to bear being re-
opened after all these years.
1t was three o'clock when Mr.. Den
ton finally lay down to rest. Broad
panels OF sunlight cleaned all across
his room when he walked at eight that
morning. He rose quickly and made
hasty toilet. The first thing that
met his eyes was the little package of
tickets for the commencement. There
was really no one he knew that he
could ask to go with him, but he de-
ctded impulsively that he would 60
himself. It had been-a score of years.
OF course-since he had had on a
dress suit. He wondered dimly II he
should go in his Sunday clothes or
buy him a new dress suit? Perhaps
the old one would do He called Per
kins and, much to that individuals sur
prise, ordered him to open his trunk
in the garnet and bring forth the suit
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