The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-07-19
THE YICTIMIzED LOVER.
A LAUGHABLE STORY.

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rather sooner than be was expected. 1t
was late in the evening, and having en-
tered by means of his night key, and find
ing nobody stirring, he walked lelsurely
up to his room This was the apartment
MIR. Derby had always occupied IN Mrs
Covsy's house; but on this occasion it
seemed very little like home Before
leaving town he had carefully put away
all his clothes in his trunks, and during
his absence other revolutions had been
made in the room which gave it differ
ent air.
Not the least disagreeable thing in the
room was darkness. Mr.. Derby had en-
tered without lamp, expecting to find
that desirable article in the old place; but
after knocking over an inkbottle, vase,
and snuff box, in his blind search, he
concluded that the wisest course would
be to stop swearing and go to bed in the
dark.
In no very good humor Mr.. Benjamin
Derby began to undress. To return home
after an absence of two weeks, and to be
obliged to 60 to bed in such dismal
manner, almost broke his heart. He
might have rung for the servants, it is
true; and he might have reflected that
his friends were excusable, since they did
not expect him; but Mr.. Benjamin F.
Derby chose to remain angry aDd silent.
"And where is Margaret Maria ?" NUT
tered the unhappy man. 20, faithlesS
daughter of an unfeeling landlady l
didn't expect this from you! When
tore myself from your arms two weeks
ago you protested, with tears in your
eyes and perfdy in your heart, that you
would watch, with the heanxious eyes oflove,
for my return o, this looks like it |!
Even now, I know you are making your
self merry with some fresh conquest, or,
if you are sleeping under this roof, you
are dreaming of pleasure in which I have
no sharep So saying, Mr. Benjamin F.
Derby threw his trousers on chair,
and groped his way in darkness to the
head of the bed. At this moment mer-
ry laugh, close to his chamber door, star
tied him. Mr.. Derby paused.
"Margaret Maria's laugh, by all that is
false" groaned Mr.. Derby. "She said
she would do nothing but cry and weep
during my absence-and hear her. All,
she laughs again. The false hearted"
Mr.. Derby's reflections were suddenly
interrupted by the sound of hand grasp
ing his door latch. With considerable
trepidation he flew to lock the door; but
before he could reach it, a merry laugh
and blaze of light, and two girls burst
into the room.
Now Mr.. D. was very modest person,
and it was lucky circumstance for him
that the closet door was ajar, the retreat
convenient, and his limbs active. He
lodged out of sight before the girls had
time to cast their eyes about them ; and
soon the door was shut, and Mr.. DIS ears
pinned back.
aWhat time do you suppose it 81" ask
ed Margaret Maria "There, thoi bells
are striking twelve. o, amt we had a
gay time, Susan 2"
:. aGay enough" was susan's reply. ella!
ha! but wouldn't your poor, dear, absent
Derby be amused if he knew"
aHa ha hap laughed Margaret Ma
ria. "My poor, dear, absent Derby
That is too good! If he knew. Poor
fellow, it would break his heart. He
thinks do nothing but sigh and cry du-
ring his absence. Am I such goose"
@such goose? Oh" groaned Derby,
painfully interested. "Oh!"
"such goosep echoed Sue. "He
wouldn't think of it if he had seen you
eating the oysters with Dan Robins"
"I only hope," added Margaret Maria,
"that he will keep away week longer"
$50 that we can have this room?"
"No-not exactly that-but Dan mas
invited me to go to ball on Thursday
night, and you know couldn't go if my
poor, dear absent Derby should come
back in the meantime"
Derby was trembling with cold and
wrath.
"You mean to marry Derby, then ?''
asked Susan.
:I suppose SHALL" cried Margaret Ma
ria, gayly. III like to fiirt with Dan, and
if he had as many dollars as my poor
Iaa., ahnont Dorh1r-N