The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-29
THE EAVESDROPPER.
BY ABRAHAM r. CRoH

Copyright 1910. by Associated Literary Press,
NO CLOUD had married the horizon OF hope Marian
Moore and Richard Kingsley during the year they were
tias aa a And the first that appeared
80 . . ano 10 give promise of nothing but long and
one afternoon Marian passed sidwell home and
M, lnroosh an open window the voice of her hance.
his often expressed dislike for Eleanor s,dwslI. BIZ
the words which he uttered were almost beyond beS
ears nothing In the world could have persuaded hss
mat ne had spoken them The words were these:
We snsn are e here aons
and dr VIII tel you the truth Then II sui Wish
10 uriFe me from you must But you shall first
know my real feelings"
Following this inpassloned declaration. Mar<s4
ne t me voice Of Eleanor 1t lower HIS bud
run of tenderness Moreover, it was distinctly audis
Dick. are that you love me r.
summed though Marian had been at first. she
Her ears fairly tingled She moved mechanically and
hardly knowing where she went found herself a
nome She entered the house, hurried to her room,
re" herself on the bed and gave bitter wesps
Relieved by tears she looked the situation In tho
Ter She took pen and paper. tearing ur
many notes finally satisfied one which read:
nor ever in the future. have learned a-fortunasei1
before 1t was too late. Never address me again.
When Dick Kingsley received this note he was
stunned Tor moment He read the letter dozen
decided it a joke.
nj lie rushed to telephone and called up Maran
her voice '''' nara as ne waited AT least he heard
, rms you Marian? he cried trying q
heartiness he did not feel THAT was a great jok1
you played on me ] just received your note 1t gave
His forced saye was saar SEE Ha
Maen ne heard the voice of Miss Moore very cold and
II net Joke. Mr. Kingsley assure YOU I
wrote the tote and meant every word in IT. Good
TIE receiver was hung up,
Richard Sinssley sat down and besought himself to
oe cam He looked about him make
=. his fleh' senses He knew he had left Miss Moore
TWO evenings before in the best of spirits. His
tnre OF her pretty self silhoueted In light from
then had changed her in this short times
r 9h | can't endure this nshtmare'" he groaned.
re hurried out and to the home of his aance,
H R Moors L no. said the maid at the door
Il her" he said
L was long time until he the familiar stop
she appeared at the door and looked him unsnil~
ahout her eyes but she looked firm fare. Dick
Marian ths4ts awful Joke" he cried
She held forhddng hand
said coldy You have forced your way into the house
ana compelled me to see you against my will must
reneat that ! meant what said in the letter. Our
Heaven seemed to shut it's gates Dick Blindty
he sought 70 take last glimpse.
Marian YOU must tell me- least reason fcs
She looked at him steadily and almost scornfuiy .
long moment before she spoke
love for me goes and few hours later expresses
a. m9s' ardent regard for another young woman. IN
ment?'' " - "1 0Asas
But. Marian'~ exclaimed the young man. ~you DOM
/ mean TO that ever"
t sne was gone and he heard her footsteps growing
AFFAIR during the days that followed Miss Moore Sell
com Went out and Mr. kingsley had vague notions Of
leaving the prosperous lumber firm in which be wa3
Junior partner to court adventure and seek Oblivion ID
One day Marian saw account In the newsp.ps<
the heneht Of the Orphans Home the printed cast
Of characters this
frL
Kingsley
"Nettie Majors Eleanor sidwer~
The lines danced before her. She waited TO read
no more The fell from her nnsers her ayes
on how have wronged him. she cried.
Now Miss Marian Moore was OF that altogether low
as Tsreora pe x aas :.
mopns in his Office and considering his expedition
phone about two minutes after Miss Moore had reaA
the above mentioned lines
Hello, is-Is--this-Dfck said a voice which causeA
his heart to leap and beat IN alarming manner.
But he had sufficient possession TO remember
This j. Mr. Kingsley. he replied with cold dignity.
beseechns I've bsen punished enough for ere all uo,n
wickedness I've Just read about the play given BY
hearslns with Eleanor sdwel when I overheard you.
Oh, Dick. can YOU ever forgive me?"
Mr. Richard Kingsley melted completely as he heard
these sSe1 words IDS. and md he replied
And you'll come up tonight" continued Misc
Well. viii II" exclaimed Mr. Kingsley
Whereupon. with a few inconsequential remarks,
/ which heard by but these two. with the
possible exception of Central. Mr. Richard Kingsley
hung the receiver and proceeded fill the once
with such Joyous ana volumnous strain OF whist.
ling that Cartwright the beokkeeper placed weights
! osteatatiously upon the loose piles papers hie
desk.
And Dick Kingsley smiled indulgen upon him. He
felt like smiling all the world for his heart was
filled with JOY, and all thought of explorations in
Africa any other part OF the world had fed.
expression Of Columbia buyer there would to be
ample for believing that the would
looking into by Coumbia's Chamber of commarce