Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-08-21

An hour before she had seated her
self with brave resolution to
straighten matters. and now, after the
worrying hour, heartsick aud hopeless
over the result. the woman stared In de-
spairing wonder. What should she do?
There lay her little bank book, the
pile Of neatly arranged bills, her
check book. three letters from insistent
collection lawyers and. most direful
OF ali. writ OF attachment placed In
her hands that very morning by q POI
lite man who wore brass buttons on
his vest. This man had surveyed her
surprise with an air of benevolent sus-
picion
The emptied pigeonholes appeared
TO glare at her like eyes OF reproach:
also the red figures in her recently
balanced bank book indicating sad
overdraft. The bank had a dreadful
way Of accounting for its errors and
invariably put her in the wrong. She
would not so to the bank. There was
only one thing to do.
Opening n drawer, Pauline drew out
a photograph. gazed at 1t. moaned
ike hurt creature and finally, with
smarting eyes. began to tear the card
Her fingers trembled. She could not
see for tears.
81 can't" she whispered, dropping
the picture. HE Is only a memory
now, but | can't destroy 1t. When I
am Mrs. Winch-John-ohw
Her maid was answering the door
bells clear peal. Paullnes fingers
were quick with handkerchief and
hair What on earth did Carson Winch
want at this time Of day?
I'm In the library, Matte" she
called. bit amazed at her steadiness.
ITS Mr.. Winch. ma'am," pushing
aside the portleres.
well, show him In here. I thought
II sounded like Mr.. Winch. Is he
alone?"
mo, ma'am. Another gentleman is
with him"
"An right. I'll see them."( She
pushed the telltale books and papers
In heap and rose to draw a curtain
for softer light Pauline was near
ly twenty-eight and showed II I'm the
sun.
The men came in smiling.
1--we brought Dean Wickham to see
you, Miss Allard." said Mr.. Winch.
You've heard me speak of him"
"Oh. yes: I'm very glad to meet Mr..
Wickham." Pauline's hand went out
cordially to grasp the clutch of a
bronzed. bearded, thick set man. who
regarded her admiringly.
sit down and get acquainted. you
two" said Winch. II can't stay. I'll
get around again before noon and car
ry him Off, Pauline"
There was that in his tone sugges-
tive or proprietorship and familiarity
which grated on Pauline's nerves. II |
was new note, something more than |
usual. and the woman felt a pany OF |
resentment Carson should wait a lit |
tie longer to pay for that,
Pauline had been quite gay all win |
ter and spring. The money left by her |
aunt must be about dissipated. Mr.. |
Winch thought. Pauline had lived on |
legacies with small doubt OF more COM
ing at opportune times Something al
ways turned up.
Her disregard OF consequences could
lead to but one end. Her servants had
talked. The tradesmen had rubbed
indignant noses. Winch heard rumors
and chuckled good naturally. Pauline
was superior woman. He wanted
her and meant TO get her. Ii was
merely n question Of patience. Lately
his reward seemed In his hand. Pau
lines negatives lacked the true ring.
After his CHEEKY departure the host.
ess talked brightly to Wickham and
soon had the stranger recouating bits
or his history. She liked the man
There was fine streak OF simplicity
IN his direct, crisp manner
Mr.. Winch tells me 1t paid you to
wait. grubbing away on that lonesome
claim In Alaska" she said.
Yes. II pays to wait when one has
feeling about IT."
You mean q doubt OF the wisdom
Of leaving a thing?"
That's it. There have been lots of
u.s." he continued. II tell you five
years makes an awful difference. The
isolation, the rough life. the doing for
oheseir. rarely seeing n woman and
never a cultured. refined lady. grow
coat or fur. all right But I've made
my pile II l have lost five years OF
real living. I'm satisfied"
Surely" said the woman. Not ali
are as fortunate"
That's the worst OF It, 1t is heart
breaking to think OF some fellows.
you know-confident. eager.
Impatient, anxious to strike Quick
luck and to go home with dying col
ors. They can't wait They get TO ,
roaming, and heaven only knows
where some OF them land. One loses
all trace. but now and them He ,
paused for moment. half smiling. .
Pauline Aliard had grown pale. Her |
caller did not notice the droop of the J
fair head. He went on speaking !
i've felt mighty sorry for one chap :
We were real friendly He couldn't 3
wait. took over his little claim for +
trihe- 1t was next TO mine Bless n
you, 1t proved the richest dirt of all \
when got to working 1t deep. He
was DAFT on surface finds And off
vent my hopeful acquaintance in spite
IF entreaties. Funnyw =
Again he smiled queerly. p
MT. Winch must be delighted to T.
AVE you here" remarked Pauline alb :.
emily. Her thoughts were wandering 81
a dreary vista of toiling, disap- Il
ointed men, far from their homes.
eckiess, proud, the Sort that never
you'd come back bearing the brand Of e
allure. Il
"Oh. Carson, yes" returned Wick. u
am. Hes decent enough fellow
lter MS Iashion-I-I-I beg pardonl -