Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-01-21
An Old
Beau
By RALPH HAMILTON
t@ 1920. Western Newspaper union)


"Oh. an old beau Of Lesbla's," was
the way Mrs. Durand replied to
neighbor when the latter, noticing a
stranger coming and going from the
Durand home through two days, was
curious to know his Identity
"Not very old. Mrs. Durand," OBJ
served the inquirer. slightly older
than Mr.. Maynew, but still young
man."
"Oh. yes" replied Mrs Durand, but
he always was staid and reserved and
looks beyond his years. When we
lived at Rochelle, Foster Brock was a
favorite caller at our home, a sort Of
chum Of my son and willing atten-
dant and faithful slave Of Lesbia's
When say beau. | do not mean that
they were In love with one another
Just a boy and girl friendship. When
Alton Mayhem got acquainted with
Lesbia and married her. Foster
seemed glad and happy to have her
settle down In life with so worthy
young man. He Is on his way TO Ore
gon. where he expects to join some rel.
atives, buy a small fruit farm and be-
come a bachelor agriculturist."
ale Is fine looking man. and so
gentle and pleasant In his ways"
commended the neighhor. ale had
coterie Of little children about him yes
terday. mendng q top for one, fixing a
kite for another and feasting the en-
tire group on Ice cream cones. He
seems beyond the average In his good
ness Of heart"
Yes, Foster Brock had a good heart.
and an aching one. II II must be
known. but he had concealed that fact
for a long time and was likely to pre-
serve II as a secret. Little did Mrs.
Durand read this sterling friend
Alright His was a nature deep and
lasting 10 Its loyalty, full Of noble in
SEPARATIONS, but patient. resigned where
he did not receive the reward de-
served. The one impelllng emotion Of
his life was love for Lesbia. He had
repressed the impulse to tell her Of II.
His attitude was that Of a devoted
friend with a brotherly Interest In her
welfare. She had never suspected his
real sentiments. Had he disclosed
them before her maiden fancy was cap
tivated by Alton Mayhem. II might
have been different for Brock was a
person any girl might honor and re-
spect. SO he bore his cross In silence
when she married and now had de-
cided to isolate himself and seek TO
forget the pain Of his disappointment.
Lesbia had received him with all Of
her old-time girlish friendliness. Her
husband made this sterling friend Of
the family heartily welcome. He was
certainly a model husband. and Brock
was glad that something he knew had
never reached the ears of Lesbia. He
had ascertained that In the past for
over a year Mayhem had led reck-
less. irregular career. II seemed. how
ever that the Influence Of Lesbia had
won him from even the memory Of
that bad year In his life. Its incidents
had been confined to q far distant sec.
ton. and Brock was gratined as time
went on that not so mucn as whis.
per Of the truth reached the ears Of
the woman he loved.
II was his last afternoon In the city
and about 8 O'Clock Brock walked over
to the pretty little home Of Alton and
Lesbia Mayhem. They were out for
an auto ride. the maid told him. hut
had left word that II he came he was
to wait for them and she placed an
easy chair for Brock on the cool aud
shady porch.
man came up the garden path q
moments after Brock had com.