The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-15
His ocular Predicament
BY STACY Z. BAKER

Copyright 1910 by the Associated Literary prsas,
Isukesd-a -ale!" shouted the conductor
The fussy little old gentleman with the numerous
packages and the tall broad shouldered youth
small stop.
Hardly the two safe on the rough board.
bounding the station before the older mans parcel,
peg PECAN to slip and slide in an awkward way and
but for the hasty assistance of the other the ma
jority of them would have fallen.
Thank YOU" wheezed the suburbanite. You are
stranger hereabont, are you not?"
This is my first trip to Lukesdale." smiled the
young man He reached for his case then rea-
LIKING that 1t would be physical impossibty for the
old gentleman to accept 1t and retain
purchases he said:
MY name is Hampton. / have living
here whom | shall visit Can you direct the
residence of Miss corneia wade9"
The other eyed his companion curfously A half
smile flashed his lips.
name Is Warren. Pleased make your acquaintance.
Hampton. / hope we shall know each other better
before you leave town.
y was now about . o'clock in the evening and
be- to get dark Hampton was thankful for
the company of the other, and having nothing but
his own light suit to carry attempted to re-
lieve his guide of some Of his load.
To this the old strenuousIy objected INA
used to it ne protested do this stunt almost every
night"
Thereafter he was strangely reticent breaking
out into an occasional chuekis. but essayng few
words.
"A eccentric old chap thought the youth hut
after one or two attempts to start conversation he
humored the old mans mood.
The streets of Lukes dale a credit to the
town and this helped great deal. because the
lights conspicuousy Inadequate The little burg
At last tho two drew near a large domiciie. aris-
tocratic in appearance and towering matesticaIiy
Your destination" said Warren pointing
1t was now dark. The windows Of the house we're
ablaze
Up the broad path leading to the spacious veranda
the two strobe burst of grlsh laughter came sud-
Il had understood that my aunt lives alone re-
marked Hampton, uneasily
Then she must have company" suggested the
old gentleman dryiy That certainly isn't her voice"
mind picture Of his gum relative sharp featured
Ei1E nf naEhe for fn&fQ ant hafnr hM
minds of Hampton Warren right Miss
Wade must be entertaining
Warren surprised the youth by stepping up the
door, and in perfectly at home manner. iinsng IL
Enter" he wheezed dramatically and az Hampton
dazzled by the light. oheyed the voice OF the old
gentleman followed him the threshold. This
aunt, Miss Cornea Wade"
Tha door slammed and tha-somaa- Of AsssY-
feet descending the steps the other side caused
Hampton TO turn in surprise He was alone His
The blindness partially left the youth. He
turned to confront two giris evidently sisters
Uncle oscar is eccentric" said one of the girls
advancing toward Hampton. and relieving him OF his
suit His caught the rudy gieam OF her
hair the cloud blue of her spot of red dotted
for passing second. the white Of her cheeks
Il Virginia. said the girl simply Let me In
troduce my mother and my sister, Louise"
The two women came forward Louise was
maid in looks and actions the doubts OF ths
fair Virginia. She had the same graceful carriage
the rich voice
especially stranser--never knows how to take him.
Her laughing eyes peered out at ,I Hampton and
But" pentured Hampton. III at ease. Il am sure
theT on mas 0e s ndasssana laughed virginia we
all know Uncle Oscar
Positively no explanations They not needed"
II only wish you understood" half whispered
great impression on the youth from the city. with
social footing in New York second to none. and an
he had imagined that the genter had paiied
him. Hence this carly spring fitting to Lukesdale
This girl was a revelation Confident Of poise. COOL
wholly at under what must be to her to say the
least, singular circumstances she was wthal prettiy
Probably Mr. Hampton wishes to battle hi. hands
after his long ride on that hateful accommodation.
1t tho elderly woman who spoke Show him
to his room. Virginia He can join US 1t his con-
with a resigned sigh. Hampton followed the maid
Some had been expected by these good people:
then-well Hampton. imposter would be kicked out
This would end his with =, this aa rare maid
A wheezy voice greeted him How dye do, Hamp--
The younS New Yorker glared at the returned
joker Oscar shifted about uneasiiy under the
nncin Oscar. II guess I'll
have 10 speak with Hampton alone for moment
Unceremonously he dragged the youth INTO the
.its all right he interrupted. raising padgy
all right Hampton. Don't get excited met your
aunt on my trip to the city-personaIy acquainted
to the bedside Of sick friend. and she asked =
and You and bring you here TO my sisters home.
until her return. Satisfied :.
Surely. beamed the youth. More than satisied
I like" Sas4s
eyes, see you DO" said the old man. Virginia
likes you. too. s go how she flushed when you came
back--eh7 Well. good luck to you. Hampton. A
for me. I'm going home" The old man disappeared
down the halt leading 10 the street door. Hampton
hurried back to the parior
A Challenge
& Virginia has produced greater men that Robert r
len. XII World