Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-10-24


naturally, and with a hearty laugh Mr.
Denton waved it away and went to his
breakfast When the meal was fin
ished ne returned to his room and,
still under the influence of old mem
cries, took up the queer, old-fashioped
trousers and began mechanically tn
go through the pockets. He found n
yellowed linen handkerchief. a tinv
penknife and-a letter.
In some curiosity he drew forth the
letter and turned it over in his hand
looking for the address. To his utter
establishment the seal had never been
broken and-he gasped for breath-the
delicate back-hand could belong to but
one woman in the world-Kathleen
With shaking fingers he opened the
envelope and took out the letter.
Dearest Billy-Quite UNEXPECTEDLY
l have decided to accept an invitation
to Lucille Wilburn's house party in
Greenwood. VIM you come I'D on
Sunday and make one Of us?' I've
confided to her our little secret. and
she is as eager, almost, as 1, to have
you.
Forgive my running away so I'm.
ceremoniously-will explain all later
Farewell, then, for two long days.
Your loving Kathleen"
When William Denton laid down the
letter he was the color of ashes. From
the night of her departure from Red
vile he had not seen her or made any
effort to see her. Soon she began to
attentions fr0,,,
and that had been the end of it. But
how came this letter here, in his dress
pants pocket? He rang the bell i'm
peratively and Perkins appeared at
once. He saw at a glance that some
thing was wrong and stood silently
waiting for his master to speak.
Perkins" he said, at last, and his
voice was completely changed now,
why did you put this letter In my
pocket that night-instead Of giving 1t
to me?"
turned pale. Then a relieved look
flashed over his face
IF you please, SIR, 1t was not me-
MI Denton. Don't you remember, it
was my evening off. sir, and Johnson
was here"
Mr.. Denton did recollect. But 1t was
ali too hopeless and wretched now to
even think about. He must try to
make the best of his disappointed life,
and blame only himself for every
thing. If he had only gone to her.
honestly and honorably, and asked an
explanation of what he construed to
be her silencel
He made up his mind to go to the
commencement exercises and, al
though weary and miserable enough,
he would not change again. But only
one thought was in his brain-to find
Kathleen and tell her everything.
There would never be happiness for
him, but at least there would be ex.
oneration.
Promptly at eight o'clock William
Denton entered the great. brilliantly
lighted hall. The program was just
opening. He sat through 1t, dreamy
and preoccupied. He was glad when
the valedictorian came on. He had
not particularly observed her before
but at the first clear words that fell
from her girlish lips he sat up, trem-
bling.
"Kathleen!"
The name escaped his lips invoIun-
tarily. He sat and listened to her as
one fascinated. At the close of the
evening he rose and made his way
dazedly through the throngs. At the
door he paused moment to let some
ladies by.
"Oh, Mrs. Hargraves," one of them
was saying. she just did beautifully
beautifully"
Hargraves! That was the man she
had married. Mr.. Denton turned
quickly and their eyes were locked.
"Kitty!" he said. "Kitty!"
moment she thought to repulse
him, but something in the mans face
held her eyes to his as by physical
strength.
viii you come in my carriage, Mr..
Denton?" she said. smoothing the stu
alton tactfully, as she glanced at the
woman who had spoken to her.
He nodded and offered his arm. In
the brief space while they were push
ing their way through the crowd Den
ton wondered apprehensively where
her husband was. He was the last
man In the world he wished to see;
he felt that he could never bear 1t.
The next minute they had entered
the carriage, the doors were slammed
and they were whirling away down
the avenue.
There's something you wanted to
say to me, Mr.. Denton" she began, the
first to break the silence. 81 shall
have to return in a few moments, as
there Is to be a reception to the grad
yates; but I want you to tell me,
first"
And he did tell her. Not only OF
the found letter. the Wallets biunder,
his own stupidity and stubbornness-
but all the dark, bleak years that
had gone-and all that were to comel
When he finished and looked info