The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-02
Charley comes-poor Mrs. Spenser. Her
distress has really overcome me-"
"You don't mean, nv DEAR

You don't mean, my dear"
! 80 yes! she has found it all out
Somebody wrote her an anonymous let
ter, and indicated that this was the house
| where her husband was frequently seen.
Such surprise, might say shock, when
we met! for we are all so we'll acquaint-
ed, you see. l never saw anybody turn
so pale in my life, and had to lead her
to the sofa. OF courseit was the hardest
thing in the world to speak of her trou-
bles; SO told her all about my marriage,
and dear, darling Aunt Bell. Then, lit
tie by little she questionedand revealed,
till she had unfolded her suspscions. 1t
was particularly trying to me, you see,
because l believed it, every word; Have
l not seen him myself: So when she
| pressed me, what could lido: And when
she asked me about next door, my trepi-
dation made me look really guilty.
"But you did not tell herr"
No; but she inferred. She must,
can so little conceal my feelings. And
when she asked if had ever seen her
husband up this way, wanted the earth
| to open and swallow me.''
20 Blanche! what did you do ~
"Only said that had an impression
that did see somebody like him, but 1
was not certain, which / am afraid was
dreadful untruth; for l certainly saw
Harcourt Spenser. And if 1 should be
called to testify on oath, you know, see
what a singular and ridiculous position
| am placed in. l know she will come
here again.
entirely. Let us look on the bright side,
dear, in this as we'll as other matters.''
Then you saw mother %
Yes, saw her."
Does she relent?e
;" Not the least, my DEAR
knew it. Will she always feel so,
do you think, dearest aunt?o
No, have no fear that she will. By
and-by, when you have grown rich and
famous, she will be very proud of Mrs.
Lieut.. Colonel Ivington, never fear"
But rich-famous! what chance is
there for that::'
My dear, We're you not telling me
how rapidly Charley used to set up edi-
torials, without recourse to pen and pa
per: Depend upon it, a man that can
do that is sure to make his way in the
world, and his mark on it. | do not
hesitate to say that / think he is one of
| the coming men, whose name shall quite
overshadow the obscurity of his past sur
rounding-if indeed a man can be called
obscure who has fifteen battle-Wounds to
attest his bravery"
All! dear Charley!' said Blanche,
her lip curving with pride. !" He would
not do a mean thing for the world. do
| hope he'll come soon. / do want to see
how much that dear, queer old man has
sent this Time"
Presently Charley came in, not a whit
the worse for his ride, only a little pale.
His wound was doing nicely now, since
he had had such good nursing. The first
thing that Blanche did was to place the
package in his hand.
1t was only five thousand dollars, all
told, the bank notes crisp and new.
We sat gazing at each other in gaping
establishment, we three.
"What can it mean ?" cried Charley !;
and Blanche repeated the question to
me.
sit means that he is either crazy, or
else really empowered by some party to
remit you this money!" answered.
"But l can't keep it, he said.
40 Charley"' Blanche looked her dis
appointment. "No matter" she added,
cheerfully, "of course you will do right:
but l thought how much it would help
u.s."
"And may yet, if the party gives good
and legitimate reasons why l should re-
| eali ~, WsN9 VIC ASPly.
Exactly one month from that day,
even from that hour, the little odd old
man came again. Charley was at home,
and the greeting on both sides was very
warm.
:" You don't know me, of course, " said
the nondescript, settling himself COM
fortably in my green velvet armchair.
i" certainly do not" said Charley.
"Of course not, since you never before
saw me-"
Charley nodded.
:" l am your mothers brother"
Charley nodded again, and smiled.
He said afterwards the memory of his
mothers face, which was very pretty
one, came up in contrast to the honest
but ugly features of the dwarf.
"YourmOthermadea runaway match."
ell have never heard," said Char
ley /; and both he and Blanche crimsoned.
"Well, she died when you were born"
"Not at ALL" said Charley. "she be-
came a widow, married again, and is
living now, in California.
"The dickens' 1T was not that, en-
actly, that he said, but it will do
Your name is Charles Wexford w.