Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-09-18
THE ROAD
TO A MANS
HEART.
BY JENNIE LEE.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press.

Elizabeth Hardcastle Yorke of Rich
mond, Va. has moved to the exclusive
town or Vaudeville. She was widow
Of twenty-seven and was a descendant
of the first families OF Virginia, and
never for n minute did she let you for
get the deep blue OF her blood, the de-
votion OF her late lamented husband
nor the amount of money she once had.
Vaudeville turned up its nose figura-
lively when she settled In its midst,
while the inhabitants did the same
thing literally. Elizabeths manner
was too imperious for their northern
independence; she laughed too much
: for widow bowed in grief. and the
fact that her old colored nanny called
her Miss Lizbeth" made them almost
doubt whether a MIR. Yorke had ever
existed.
The only thing which could be said
In her favor was that she attended
church regularly and contributed lib
orally TO all the festivals. Such was
the tolerant situation when the Rev.
DR.. Botcher called tie, make his paro-
chiaI visit
I'm so glad you came to see me-,
Elizabeth was saying. 81 always did
love ministers. They're so old fash
Toned and queer
The Rev. DR.. Botcher had been twirl-
ing his cane as an inspiration to start
ing an agreeable bit Of conversation.
At this speech he stopped twiriing it
and grasped its handle somewha
firmly.
Really, do youY was the sum to-
tai Of his answer.
Supper Is just this minute ready,
doctor" continued Elizabeth. Lay
down that foolish old cane and come
in and have some Of mammy's blue
berry cakes. They'll Just make you
wish you never had to so home"
The man made some weak comment
about not expecting to stay. but he was
swept into the cool dining roon and
was eating cake and slipping iced tea
before he could demonstrate.
81 really came TO see about those
flowers planted along the line OF your
lawn" began the doctor.
Aren't they just too lovely?' chimed
In Elizabeth. My husband used to
say 1 had n most artistic eye for col
or
"Yes, they are pretty; but. you see
they are planted on the lawn that be-
longs to Mrs. Murray-over your line.
you sce."
Eyes. believe she has been saying
something to that effect" said the
charming widow. "But l thought 1t
was awfully nice OF me 60 fix up her
place so prettily even IL 1t was en-
croachment. Don't your
"well. / hadn't looked at It that
way" agreed her divine company
But really i must be going home, as
we have prayer meeting tonight"
Mrs. Yorke babe her visitor good night
and urged him to drop I'm again any
time he was hungry for cakes. Eliza
beth was smiling to herself with some.
thing OF satisfaction when she heard
footsteps on her porch. She went to
the open door and met Mr.. Murray.
husband. ana evidently the much lesser
half of Mrs. Murray. her next door
neighbor.
"How perfectly lovely OF you TO call,
Mr.. Murray exclaimed Elizabeth as
she extended her hand to add to her
cordial welcome,
"Er-ycs-that is, came over about
that row OF Gahlias you planted over
there on our
"Oh. that's all right" interrupted
Elizabeth. You're quite welcome to
them. You see have 30 many. and I
want my neighbors to enjoy some of
them. But. dear me. do sit down and
III call nanny TO give us something
to eat" And she disappeared, To re-
turn I'm n few minutes.
At her heels came the dear old mann
my laden with tray OF raspberry
shrub and huge cocoanut cake that
looked like n bah OF snow.
Mr., Murray found himself seated be-
fore an old hickory table I'm an arm
chair eating cake and drinking the
shrub. Finding himself may seem
an inadequate explanation OF how he
got there, but that Is what he told
Mrs. Murray on his return home.
Mrs. Murray was watching the cou-
pie from the corner OF her own vera n
da. and when Mr.. Murray returned
smacking his lips and Mrs Murray no
ticed fake Of cocoanut on his vest
she called him to account for his fruit
less call.
Saturday noon found Elizabeth dig
cling among her flowers Her sweet
voice was humming way Down In
Carolina" and as she fitted from one
rosebush to another she looked almost
like some white spirit among the gar
dens Of earth. Her task was interrupt
ed by nanny.
Miss Lizbetb. de town mayor done
call. Come right in. honey. and see
what he want"
Elizabeth gathered up In her arms
the roses she had been cutting for the
house and walked around to the front
or the cottage. The town mayor was
good to look upon. The greatest COM
pliment that Elizabeth could pay him
was the silent comment she made to
herself-that he did not look like the
rest OF Vaudeville.
IFS this Mrs. Yorker" asked the man
as she approached.
ut certainly Is" acknowledged Eliz
abeth as she bowed before him. And
this IL Mr.-MayOr-shall call you?"
'My name Is Warning" announced
the mayor as he met the piercing SaZ.
OF the widow. IL came on a rattle
unpleasant GRAND You see. rccaiy.
all the complaints OF the towusneopl,
and Mrs. Murray. your neishbor. you
know
Isn't she dear" exclaimed Eliza