The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-07
by HELEN WELBORN STEDMAN.
Copyright. 1911, by Associated

Copyright, 1911, by Associated
Press.)
Old gentleman Stuffins looked pros
porous mentally, physically and sar-
torically. Madam Stuffins reflected
the prosperous light that shone from
iy modified I'm the negative quantity
might be used In describing their one
offspring. Maria Stuffins, known as
Marie. with a few adiectives of
quality added to denote fluffy lightness
of hair, pinky +whiteness and eyes al
most too blue.
Lovers there were none. In vain
they camped In a paiatiai home in
their OWE town or stayed in fash
ionabie hotels of the three border
States. In New York or San Fran
cisco. New Orleans or Chicago 1t was
the same. In vain they were whisked
by six-cylinder, noiseless motors from
watering place to watering place. In
fact. the Stuitinses seemed to be on d
tour To prove American man wants
more than money when taking a
bride. And Father Stuffins, mentally
and orally to his spouse--deter-
mined that only America could turn
the trio into II quartet.
The room was well but plainly fur
nished after the fashion OF hotefs.
1t had been within of this pros
porous two to have one room as
they found it. and 1t was there they
spent many happy hours together
talking over checks to be sent 20
charities and little helps here and
there among acquaintance of days
when they. too. struggled for bread.
Thus they sat one bright April
morning. she clad in a neat white
ha fyI FFsgf t.t.
lounging suit, smoking.
sometimes wonder why Marie
IL without admirers and lovers. Jake.
She Is so good and kind. and pro-
ficient In Sc many ways. and not a
homeiy girl"
She has not the gift of CAB and
enhancing shift cf glancing which
seem TO please mankind both young
and old"
Marie looks like me-" said the
wife, glancing into the mirror.
That's a fact well known. Jane"
Why did you love me? she asked,
rather dreamily.
The great man smiled as he rose
and looked out OF the window. mus
ingly.
"Jeuglie." he said. twinkle in his
eye, Il was acquainted with you ten
wears before / knew you. Then
was suddenly introduced. You re-
member the ride YOU took one dark
cold night 10 warn Jonesville OF in
tended burglary You had heard 81
scrap OF conversation between three
suspicious chaps in a railroad sta
ton, and thought ii meant robbery.
and thinking. acted.
He stopped Mrs Jacob Staftins
stood stiil In the center ~ the room,
"a al rBy 3ssfa rBa@ ~,
the too futi face and into the slight
~ faded eyes.
Jennie" he continued. ard The
husband moved in oluntarfiy toward
her. when / heard or That roaming
horse and piucky girl who saved tho
bank OF JoneSNille thought for the
first TIME OF you. Then came the
reception given hy the bankers.
wives. Won were a little beyond the
model thirtysiN. You wore pale blue
with white, soft fluffy lace. and your
eyes shone 1ose. Jennie. how they
shone," lie looked at her tenderly
as he drew her toward him. And
Jennie, am thankful for that ride -
Marie Stuiiins gal,oped along the
soft sandy road shifting the sweet
scent ~ the softly murmuring pines.
her groom gailoping at precise cor
rectaess Of distance behind her,
4 sound foated through the pines
that was not sigh OF the trees
which. as she galioped en-, reached
her ears in louder and louder strains.
IL was q cry. n scream OF anguish,
Marie halted. listened, waved her
whip 10 the groom and sent her horsc
dashing en- through an opening In the
clearing toward the sound.
She reached the spot. jumped from
Apsye horse raT. iYstss sise "a hssas pushed
the screaming pickaninnies away
gently thrust the weeping colored