Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-01-02

as he proceeded. On his desk was a
small picture of boy with his head
nesting close to his mothers face.
The mans eyes wandered wistfully
to the photograph. He picked it up
and looked at it a moment then al
most reverently touched the shining
surface with his lips. His eyes were
dim now.
II will do it. by the gods. l will do
it," he exclaimed till his own voice
startled him He rung for the stenog-
rapher and gave her a hurried mes
sage.
"A soul with a broken wing, and I
broke it." he half muttered. picking
up the letter for the third time. Then
read:
Spirit Lake. June 10, 19O-My dar-
ling sweetheart.-You are that, are
you not? Just mine-because 1 love
you and you are going to love me
in the same old way you used To. II
am going to write today just as I feel
and as I've wanted to write but could
MT for the words seemed like All echo
from the dead past with no one to
hear and understand them aud the
thought of it only choked my DOOR
heart into dumb silence. To-day 4
feel different feel that som Won
will write to me and call me all the
old foolish names that loves Ian
guage knows and then I'll weep with
JOY and laugh with that wholehearted
soulinspiring thought that knows no
sorrows.
You have said your affection is
dead. l know 1t is not dead-only
slumbering under too heavy load of
trouble and care. Awaken it. arouse
it and let it speak to you, and If for
Dothing else come back to me for the
sake of our little child. He has his
fathers eyes, those deep, soulful eyes
that look into the depths of things. He
Is playing now in a pile of sand near
who're l am writing, he is go innocent
and he does not know. He is build
ing churches with domes and steeples
ana windows. He is the living incar.
nation OF his father-a living nina,
ture. He needs you and asks for you
every day. Don't let us wait long.
will you dear? The time to live is so |
short and the years are so long with |
out you.
With heart full of love / am look |
ing across the silent peaceful little |
lake, and out beyond the hills who're |
the city Hes-looking in upon you as |
you read this. and / am waiting with |
teverish tension for the good news
That you are coming back to your lit
tie girl.
Your faithful wife"
Mr.. Malcomb placed the letter face
down upon his desk as Mr.. Riley en-
tered, pompous and important.
Good morning. Mr.. Malcomb; did
you want me?" he greeted and cues
toned.
That was ostensibly my object in
sending for you" replied the lawyer,
CURLY then added. have you that
cottage on Folsom avenue-let me see,
near Lafayette Place, for rent?"
I've been holding Il for YOU" lied
Riley.
We'll, want 1t, and I want you to
see that it is ready by next Monday"
He turned to his desk, produced a
SOOA eAu WEOIS d CHECK.
1t will be ready, SIR" he pulled,
as he rose ponderously from the chair
to make his exit.
Riley" shouted Malcomb. have a
load OF fine, dry sand delivered and
dumped on the east side OF the house,
without fail"
The dealer was OF wondering what
allied Mr.. Malcomb this day.
Malcomb turned to his desk and
wrote upon sheet of office paper
till 1t was literally covered with what
seemed unreliable characters. Then
he tore 1t up into small pieces and
threw them into the waste basket.
Selecting a sheet of tinted paper he
wrote again, this time only a few
lines. He sealed and addressed the
envelope and sent it in a headlong
plunge through the mail chute in the
hall.
Mrs. Malcomb sat in her hammock,
quietly reading her magazine. She
was aroused by the patter of the san
daled feet OF her little son who come
running up the walk with the mail Z
he had induced the postmistress to