The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-11
"A Virginian Page for Each Member Of the Family
NOT ANNOUNCED
ny JEANNE OLIVE LoixEAUx-

The bcs' was TO. the IaS: evidently.
But pre- scntly Emile. in grace
full little 'pca.h, introd lred the Young
woman WHIP had been Il child in their
midst he girl .uSe and bow eu
gravely, tuned her instrument and
tucked IL lovingly under her chiu
Then the tragedy left her face. and
JOY came. The audience caught Its
| breath at her playing. She bowed
again and again, and was encored
till she would play no more. but stu
stood bowling, with the hand leaning
on the little candle stand against the
window draperies. .She went very
white and was looking at her mother.
who appeared beside Emile in the
doorway waiting. while down the
stairs came Emilie's little girl dressed
as a fairy. carrying a basket of lit
tie cards which she was TO distribute
among the guests
AS the child reached the door Nat
allie gave n backward movement, al
most Involuntary, that overturned the
candle-stand with "a crash. A woman
screamed, the flame fiickered at the
sheer curtain. up the window, and
there was confusion and "A rush
Natalie. ut the end of her strength,
slipped toward the floor in dead
faint, but Townsend caught her In
his arms and bore" her to the hall.
Smoke began to pour up the stair
way, and he never knew just how he
got to the dressing-room, threw some
water in the girls face, threatened
and coaxed her into consciousness and
finally got her into some wraps
Many women had left Without Their
wraps, and below he heard Emilio
giving orders to servants Natalie's
mother was weeping and wringing her
hands. and Kirk was trying to take
the girl from Townsend. who simply
showed him a side.
Tell Mrs Norris | shall take her
daughter out in my machine for a
drive In the air and then take her to
her hotel" he commanded And
I though he was loath to obey, there
was nothing else for Kirk to do.
he took the girl down the back
stairs. through a side door, and, with
her leaning on his arm. reached the
! sidewalk just as the fire wagons came
changing UP.
He helped the girl into the car took
hts seat beside her. and was off be-
fore they could be stopped or ques-
toned. Natalie suddenly gave
frightened little gasp.
.'See what have done. Set Emf
:
for everybody. And poor mamma!
Did you know what little Rose Fen
ton had in the basket, Tom ?" The
sharp air had brought The girl fully
back to herself She spoke to Town
send as she -Aad-saan him hut sas-
terday, when. in fact, IL had been
three years since they parted-with
kiss. given and taken in a quaint
German garden.
Those cards-announced my en-
gagement" she said. Il must have
been crazy to give in! | don't see
how ! ever--oh, wish / were dead"
Townsend interrupted cheerfully.
Because of Kirk? III Kill him for
you whenever you say--if you think
he's worth killing. Natalie. why
didn't you answer my letters after ]
left You In Germany" She stared
at him In surprise,
II never-had a letter from you!
So you wrotey'
"A few dozen times--until the last
ones were directed back to me--in
your mothers hand--and--"
Mother would--do that" that giri /
gasped. The man spoke.
Natalie. when could You marry /
me-" Her eyes danced. then wav-
efea -
"NobodyH ever--consent--it will
make trouble, and I've. been warn to !.
a shadow--till rye no more resisting
power left. Tom
We'll, Wen use my resisting power
1--WE "a large supply. Listen; II we
go east, Well get to your hotel in
five minutes. II we go west, We'll
reach the courthouse and license
In four minutes. We can find a
preacher in seven minutes, be mar
RED in about six, and GO back and |
take the trouble together little |
while. and be happy for life. or, /
rather, I'll shoulder the responsibility. |
OF course, 1t Will not have been an |
nounced, but--shall | turn east" He |
turned to look at the girl. She shook |
her head.
"West--west. dear" and she laid |
her hand over to touch his az II steer |
ed. She wanted to help him turn |
west.
The hause- didn't burn down. and |
Mrs. Norris took the marriage fairly |
We'll