Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-12-05


the young woman to the pavement
Lifting his hat, the man returned
the gauzy substance; then, moved by
the appealing youth and beauty of the
! face before him, he impulsively burst
forth: Miss Crestley, pardon a
strangers unwarrantable Intrusion
but l beg you to take no rash stem g"
The girl started and a great wave
Of color dyed her face, as conflicting
emotions, fright, annoyance, and even
a touch Of amusement seemed to
struggle for mastery.
How dare you address mel" she
demanded.
"A thousand pardons!" begged
Halves. But rather, ask the friend
who dares urge you to defy your fam
lily. Fate is often cruel to the young
and innocent 1 could give innumer-
able instances. BY the right of one
who has seen the life OF a dear young
sister wrecked, let me warn Won"
You are wholly deceived in this
however" was the vehement assur.
ance; Z"
But Halves imperiously waived all
explanations, and with the steadily
growing enthusiasm which had al
ready won him many case contin-
ued: Imagine a girl, young like
yourself, studying art in a foreign
country, and there being beguiled into
a secret marriage with an artist who
fancied her merely as a pretty NAV
hing, and when his caprice died ont
then-but forgive me. Can you won
der though, that with memories like
these, warn you against secrecy at
such e time? For the sake of that
wretched young life, ask it."
The fervent tone carried weight.
and the hearers mobile mouth uuiv-
cred. as she stammered: 'I thank you,
and-yes-I promise"
Promise to Get aside all notion OF
This runaway marriage?"
There was exultant but incredulous
surprise In the eager question.
L do. Believe me, l can be trust
ed" and drawing down her veil, the
girl fastened along the street.
Halves gazed wonderingly after the
retreating figure as he light
ed his cigar Victory, and cas-
lily won" he muttered. How read
lily swayed an impressionable mind is,
after all! Yet what a flimsy argu-
ment mine was, and how little Cross
examination my witness for the pros
ecution could have stood, but
shade OF Ananiasi l had to borrow
Atkins sister even then"
Ten minutes later the junior part
ner of the firm of Halves, Atkins &
Halves entered his private office and
brilliantly accosted the ebony youth
in attendance: Hello, Pete! Sorry
this is to be q busy afternoon, or 1
vow I'd give you a half-holiday. I've
Just won a case worth treats, so the
first day we're not rushed, mind you,
your grandmother can have another
funeral, eh, Pete? The old lady hasn't
been reburied now for as much as
three weeks"
With twinkling eyes the lawyer
seated himself at his desk and plunged
into business details. Fortunately no
gift has yet the ''giftie gle US to see
oursers as ithers see u.s." for his
self-satisfaction would have been
tinged with amazement could he have
heard the conversation of his rescued
fair one at the ferry.
The young man had arrived, breath
less from running, just in time to
catch the boat, but waving a package
triumphsntly. Gall right, Nelll Found
1t on the desk IN the Turkish room,
just where you left it. Hadn't been
touched. 20 bracelet must be o. K.
Aren't We an untrustworthy pair to
do errsnds, thought
Yes. and such an adventure as I
had after you left, Diokl" exclaimed
his companion. you know I told
you I had horrible fear that every
word Of that ridiculous scene from
The Elopement' had been overheard,
and, dear mel it had. How silly we
were to 90 over our parts there at
Trim's!"
But who cares?" was the consol:
ing question. THE theatricals are
going 10 be tip-top, and what was
your adventure, anyway? Nobody's
tried to secure you as q star, has he?"
No one knows quite what star
idiots We really are" groaned the
girl, but the good-looking man 1
spied too late took us in dead earn
est and, happening to return my scarf
at the entrance, as a breeze was
whishng it away, he took the oppor-
tunity to give me big dose Of faith
erly advice. oh, DickI" there was
sudden play Of dimples. as she went
on, he thought It was a regular
Gretna Green affair; but was pre-
vailed upon to listen to reason. You'll
be relieved to learn that l promised
never to elops with you"
The insufferable impudence of the
fellow!"
Don't get In frenzy, Dick He
was really q gentleman"
Must have been." ragged the young
man; "accosting strangers In that
way. Hs didn't mention your clipping
with him. did he7" was the savage
MUX[I.