The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-06-10
TEE LADDER OF LOVE,
=
CHAPTER I.
BY W. SCOTT WAY.

CHAPTER I.
The time-late in the evening Of bright
spring day, in the year 1874. The scene
the parlor of large, brown-stone mansion,
standing in fashionable and aristocratic
quarter of St. Louis, Missouri
A young girl, remarkable for her beauty
Of form and face, and young nan, possess
ing frank and handsome countenance, were
| seated together on comfortable and pretty
sofa.
| my guardian says he does not wish you
to come here, Frank" said the young girl.
looking at her lover sorrowfully, with her
brown eyes full Of tears; sske told me to tell
you this, and, although it IL very, very pain
full for me TO do SO, it is nay duty; aad you
know, dear Frank, as | am only sixteen, as
lsng as his wishes are reasonable must con-
form to them, and as he has decreed it, this
must be our last meeting"
ssThere is no reason about your guardian,
Bella" returned Frank Marsden, impatient
emily; sand further, l behave he his a-well
isn't what he ought to be. and if you abide
by his decision Til just think you don't love
me, for"
ooh, don't say that Frank you know
love you !" she said, blushingly, sbut you
must not come any more for he says if you
do he will insult you
aAnd then I'll call him out and try one Of
my pistols CT him =
sOh, Frank p
| Yes; [ will, for [ believe he's villain.
But if you won't let NE come here any more,
dear Bella, you must meet ne some place
else, until get my house in New Orleans
| ready for your reception, and then you must
be-no excuse now my wife" and the
young man pressed kiss on her red, pouting
lips, and she hid ker FLUSHING face On his
4 shoulder.
1 Il will telegraph to New Orleans, at once"
he said, as he bid his betrothed a0ieu, 'and
have my house put in order; and then, ma
belle, after you are mine, we'll suddenly dis
appear from this city z =
David Ashly heard part of this conyersa-
tion. He was in the library which joined the
parlor, and after supper he returned to the
| library, seated himself in an easy chair, and
sent for his ward.
! He vas a man Of about forty-fve, with
deep, sunken and dark black eyes, a sharp,
red nose, and yellow, wrink!ed face. Time
had not yet changed the color Of his hair
from its raven blackness, and his dress was
of costly material. Bella Gilmore had been
left an orphan at an early age, and he had
been appointed her guardian, and her prop
erty, which was very large, given into his
charge.
"Guardian did you send for me ?" said
Bella, softly entering the room, and coming
close to Ashly.
eyes, my dear = he replied. II sent for
you, and have something of very great i'm
portance to say to you. Take seat in this
chair beside me-"
| Bella complied with his request, and he
continued
I II overheard part Of your conversation
1 with Marsden, this evening, and | want to
tell you if | catch the puppy in my house
again III kick him out, and cewhlde him be-
sides" Here Ashly paused, and the fair
young girl began to tremble violently.
''My dear p he commenced agaip, Il don't
want to be hard with you, but you must for
get this man-you must not see him, or speak
to him, again for | have d husband picked
out for you-cne whom you must marry
do YOU hear me I say mast"
/ sWho-who is it, you say | must marry p
asked his ward trembling in every limb.
"Myself!' he replied, cemplacently.
ooh! guardian [ never, never can =
said Bella, weeping, II don't love you as
as wife should love husband, and I never
can !"
"Oh, never mind the loge, my dear?" hs
returned coolly. I know you don't love rae
and know you love Frank Marsden but thai
does not make any difference to me-you'yt
got to be my wife; I've sworn it--ao yot
hear, girl-Iye sworn it p
I sGuardiap, will never marry you-oh
never I" said the weeping girl.
| '"You must~ exclaimed Ashly jumping
1 from his chair with rage. "You won't marry
me, but you'll elope with that puppy, Mars
den, the first opportunity, why didn't yo,
say. for that's what you thought. But wei
/ see about this-we' II try what force will do 7
"(4uardian," she turned, Il would nevel
have thought of clipping if you had not sait
| to me what you have tonight; but KNOWN;
what do now, will not stay in this hous
another day."
"Well see about that" he Kissed, catch
ing her by the arm. "We'll try the starvin,
plan! Go to your room at once and I'll Sc
if there isn't way to tame YOU and kee
you from running away Yith Marsden 6
on, | say !"
Bella Gilmore arose and vent silently t
,, het chamber, while Ashly followed her to th
door locked it after her, put the key il hi
pocket and left his ward prisoner, Id