The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-03
By yzoLA FORESTER.
1919. by the Associated
Literary Presssl

Literary Press.)
Why didn't he come himself"
Mrs. Ellis puckered her lips at the
challenge IN the gfr-t s. tes4+e-- She
smoothed out her gloves on one knee
and smiled-a doubtful, wistful little
smile
He didn't think you'd ever want
to see him again
II didn't--for moment The
tears fiickered on the long, dark
lashes before Ina could stop them.
She stood over near the open window,
looking out at the pretty garden and
the old Roman seat at the turn of the
walk where Tom had tlrst told her ne
loved her the best in the world. She
thought OF that night for a moment,
until the memory of the morning y
news swept 1t ous of her conscious
ness. The headlines faced her still,
Toms name in wide letters. then the
whole fat truth of how he had taken
funds intrusted to him and used
them to speculate with. II had added
that he was engaged to one OF the
prettiest girls in Harbor View and
needed money to keep UP her stand
ard OF good time,
Why did he try to make out he
had plenty of money to spend ?" she
said suddenly. turning on the little.
nervous figure. 1T isn't true what
the papers say. | never asked him
for anything"
Hut If he didn't take YOU out
good and often, you'd go with some
one who could afford to- Not that
I'm blaming you. child. Land.
everybody likes to have nice time.
and Toms been pretty we'll tied up
in a business way. I've seen he was
worried for long time. but didn't
say anything
Il noticed it. too Just for a
moment the eyes of the two met in
the first gripping sympathy Where
Is he? l suppose he had to go
away
Mrs Ellis shook her head.
Hes home. / left him lying on
the sofa in the dining room, with
his head in the cushions. just the
way he always did when he'd done
something he knew he'd oughter not
when he was little"
Il thought the papers said they
were going TO take him away to-
day
Hes waiting for them TO come
now. BUT he wont run away.
know Tom enough for that |
wanted him to come himself and tell
YOU all about how ii happened, but
he just wouldn't. You know. Ina.
he's cared for you ever since you
were running UP and down MHin
street on a bicycle eight years ago.
hair flying and laughing over your
shoulder at some one. When he
came out of high school ! went down
and talked To Mr. Carey at the hank.
l used to go to school vita Tip
Carey years ago, and ! didn't mind a
bit asking him to give my hoy q
chance. He started Tom in right
away and he was doing well and
satisfied until"
IT came along. Ina spoke bitter
ly. 1t was true In a way. She loved
pretty things around her. She had
told Tom she wouldn't marry him
until he could take her-tn- her-own
home. She didn't want his mother
to live with them. She was old
fashioned and just funny Attfc cid
lady. Ina's father had ben sheriff
in Harbor View, and even county
treasurer before he died. She was
stenographer at the hotel now, but
no one except herself knew the air
castles she built at her desk. Tom
had not usually been included In
them. Il suppose he blaines me for
everything. How much did he take T.
The old lady pinched her lips to-
gether again as If she had suffered
quick pain. but her eyes were wide
and placid.
About Ave hundred. all told. He
took 1t out Friday and wired it East
and expected to put II right back by
Monday. He says he figuredd he'd
clear enough to start in housekeep-
ing right away, and get you the
piano, too"
Ina put her hands over her face.
The tears were coming faster. She
had wanted the plano. and suddenly
she remembered the look ON Toms
face when she had told him she could
have a piano In every room of she
married Owsley Rawlins, the hotel
keeper.
IF he doesn't nut in any defense.