The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-09
DIPLOMATS
BY NELLIE CRAvEY g

Copyright, 1870 by Associated Literary Press)
The manager of the Brownvle division of the c.
Il r. closed the door of the outer office slowly ana
stood for moment thinking insenoy ps.ors press
turned and re-entered the room and spoke to the
1T seems to me- Hobson that you're looking
as bright as usual Anything wrong? Possibly lit
The other shook his head. expressing his apprecia-
ton in quick, forced smile. I'm all right. Mr.
Floyd; merely touch Of hot weather-aiways goes
The manager nodded and abruptly left the Office.
with Hobson. But he liked the young fellow, and
he didn't want to lose valuable man There was
something about the bookkeepers pale face that baf
Alone Young Hobson closed his day book with q
bang and for reflective moment drumming OF
the back of it with nervous row of brown finger
tips.
AT this juncture the office boy whlrled in with the
afternoon mail and dumped 10 deferentiay at his su-
periors elbow
rhe bookeeper stihed a yawn and began YEARLY TO
sort out the letters and papers Suddenly his eyes
widened and the blood splurged hotly to
his temples 1t a full minute before he found
to open the pale blue envelope, address
ed with flourish in ver-to- forgotten, &C.
centric little hand. Nonplussed he read;
Dearest Bettye-what will you think when / tell
you that 1 have been to deaths door. for 10!
strand of my golden locks tied up In SILK handker-
chief in my dresser drawer! But am wearing the
darfngest little wig you ever saw and the doctor says
my head-think of 1t!
Theyre going 70 send me to kennebunkport on the
hrst with stupid trained nurse detest the thought
(
have good. long talk Can't you meet me at n!
Please. please please
some months ago; how delighted am at your sue
cess. What happy girl you must be-
/ I suppose you heard about Ted and me? It's all
off for good. We had little spat was very angry
and obstinate aud Ted went into perfect emano
rage. We haven't spoken since
I'm the meantime. just out Of pure. unadulterated
pique engaged myself to Hal Bronson--for a month.
! OF course never had any notion of marrying him.
merely wanted show independence. / have
about made up my mind to join the Red Cross and
go TO Manila-dedcate my life to those poor, brave
soldiers who every day giving their own for their
country.
Il am returning of Teds letters and things
to-day. with little conventional outline OF my future.
For long time i felt if / simply couldn't give
the little forget not ring. but now.
I Forgive me. dear for troubling you with my abb
surd feelings. wanted to tell somebody, and knew
you'd understand
DO try TO spend at least week with me in Kenny,
and write at once to your loving Clo''
The letter slid from young Hobson's shaking. fingers
stopped dazedty and picked it up. rereading the
bewildering lines with fast-beatng heart One
thought alone OF all the wild notions swirng through
his brain stood forth UNANIMOUSLY She still cared Prov
denee had nterposed a helping hand
/ The whole thing plain enough. She had
ctdentay placed the wrong letter in the envelope adj
dressed to him. and no doubt at this very moment
Miss Betye breckenridge was perusng Clorindas last
farewell TO him!
+ For an indefinite space OF time. the hookkeeper
sat silent and radiant He not conscious OF the
arrival and departure Of the superintendent he paid
no heed whatever to the shri whisting OF the Office
boy he did not even hear the prolonged ringing or
the telephone bell three feet away But all at oacs
he reached for pen and scratched hastily:
Friday. June %. 10.
Dear BnL-What your plans for the
old boy? Don't you usually take rest in Juney
Perhaps we arrange little Jaunt together some
where. To tell you the truth. l Just about down
and out. The manager has noticed IT himself and
strongly advised vacation. You know several OF
my family have died of heart trouble when quite
young.
No. dear boy, regret to say that not to
born little heart--went clean back realize
now tthat it is too ate> that was the at fanis
mashs -, re seo na t ht, ns passe as
far NOR nor lass thun
ITO save my life can't remember all the blood
curdling things ladled to each other that last
night. Suffice it say that / made repeated
unsuccessful attempts to gain interview afterward
letter unopened she failed to recognize mine as 4
familiar face the street
Now just between us Billy shall never care the
snap of my finger for any other girl under the
!, But don't think 1t ia good for be alone.
the heart Of certain little girl / know down
at the boarding house. That is to say unless. of
where
Let me hear from you as soon as is convenent.
The bookkeeper surveyed this masterpiece Of diplo-
with satisfied He deliberately sealed and
addressed it to Miss Clorinda Hallowell. New York
, City.
Fifteen minutes later, when the manager returning
from luncheon, opened the door and entered. young
Hobson cleared his throat and spoke him some
f i've been thinking things over Mr., Floyd, and a.
you've been so good as to offer me vacation"
rest at least once year. Take whole month II you
4
/. The following day Mr.. Floyd handed him Transport
L tation to the Adrondacks. Hobson had gone
anywhere else for his vacation.
e The bookeeper smiled his thanks he slipped tn q
pass into his pocket and figured the price ticket
to Kennebuukport.
Farmville, where expects to matriculae at the
' Normal Institute
Mr. Henry T. Christian has returned from Harri-
sonburg where Mrs Christian is spending some time.
n O Preston Smith is the guest Of Miss Bessie
Carter, of Danville
n Mr. Tom Neal has returned, after visit friends
: in Cupeper.
Contempt Of Court In England.
The Crippen case which has absorbed much OF
international attention recently has developed rather
r. interesting phase In London. which looks from
n the American viewpoint While the noted