Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-28
DAILY SHORT STORIES

Tomlinsou was disgruntled. Notwlth-
standing that this was very different
from the social life he had been en-.
joytng he would have liked the
change. especially for the company OF
this pretty girl. had not Mieklejohu
spoiled IL all by going away. taking
her heart with him. With the girls
Tomlinson had met he was surfeited
Here was a girl so preoccupied with
another that she couldn't even he com.
panionable. This is specimen OF the
way she talked about Mieklejohn:
.Do You sing? No. Mr.. Mlekleiohn
has such a lovely tenor voice When
he sings he thrills rue. He used TO sing
parts from Faust and almost
wished had been Marguerite Mr.
MiekleJohn is very versatile. He Is the
best whist player. the best billiard
player. the best horseback rider the
best swimmer
Did you tumble out OF the boat
when he was here that he might swim
ashore With your
How ridiculous." She pouted Tom.
linson asked her TO 60 on with the cat
alogue OF Mieklejohns accomplish.
ments, but she turned away from him
as from ono who had slapped the face
OF her idol and. pulling ON the port
rudder rope. headed the boat for the
| bungalow.
After dinner Alice sat at the table I'm
the living room with her mother, her
brother and Tomlinson-that is TO say.
she was going to SIT there. but the
guest spoiled II all and drove her away
by asking IL Mr.. Mieklejohn read poet
ry TO her by the dim light OF the kero.
sene lamp At this reference TO the
dear departed Mieklejohn Mrs. Stetson
| cast frightened glance Mt her daugh-
ter. Roy was reading n book on the
game or football and was oblivious to
the shock TO his sisters scnsIbilities.
Alice arose and, with her eyes bent to
the floor. left the room Tomlinson
could have bitten or his tongue. for
long evening was before him with no
other companions than an elderly lady
and boy, the room IN which they
were being lighted by n dim lamp.
Mrs. Stetson retired at and Roy half
an hour later. Tomlinson vowed that
II the period OF this seclusion ever ex-
pired--it seemed TO him that Il never
would-he would not get into such n
trap again. Besides, he was much
piqued after having been sought by
finer girls TO be completely ignored.
considered. n parsonage OF no impor-
lance whatever compared with the I'm
maculate Mieklejohn. A desire came
to him 70 shpplant Mr.. Miekleiohn and
when he had done so leave Lake Was
sapogie with his nose In the air.
The next morning Mrs. Stetson, evil
IDENTITY still concerned about her daugh-
ter's sorrow. suggested another boat
ride. Alice didn't seem TO care what
she did so long as Mr.. MiekleJohn was
absent. She yielded possibly TO her
mothers wish. The boat was taken
out. and the guest Of the house. with
the listless girl. again left the bunga-
low. .n4
Tomlinson bore the references to
| Mieklejohn. gritting his teeth. but
| making no reply. His object was
rather 20 draw Alices attention away
from this remarkable man to other
subjects from which he might the
more easily direct It TO himself. He
exerted whatever lady killing faculties
| he possessed for an hour. az the end OF
which time his companion seemed
really to have plucked up some later
est in her surroundings. Then for an
hour she failed to mention the lost one.
| Tomlinson was encouraged.
| Two weeks passed. each day being n
gradual drawing away of Alice Stet-
son from a man who was absent 10
mann who was present. All the deli
cioug little hooks which bordered on
the lake were visited again aud again.
and at last Tomlinson chuckled TO
himself
| Now bring on your Mieklejobn."
! One bright morning they were drift
| ing idiy through some PUSHES There's
nothing like some rushes. some smooth
water. a little brush and few over
banging trees with man and girl
IN a boat. 20 make picture Of young
! love. TorIlnson was making IN effort
! 10 complete the shattcring OF the sa-
cred imugr- Mckleiobn. He oycrshot
! the mnrk aud made use OF the word
love" Had Miss Stetson been sitting
| az the other end OF the boat from him.
| possibly what happened might not
hav" bapcBed. az least not then But
they wore sitting side by side Aliccs
! head fell Oh Tomlinson's shoulder
| What could hc do? lie completed the
/ transition Tho burden was removed
! from the shoulders of the dear de
parted and placed upon those Of the
! newcomer
This Is n letter written by Alice Stet-
son to her bosom friend Molly Bawn
! announcing her engagement:
! You see. dearest mammn knew
! from Mrs. Tomlnson that Sod was be
set by n lot Of society girls OF that
! ciasF which Is trying 10 live in swell.
| dom without having the means 10 do
so Mrs TomIiueou ,-cc ,f,,tt ..,.,,