New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-02

Ahe Gnu uTeW near. Un0er the IerVl0
summer sun, the rich merchant was dying
Two hours before he died he once more re
terred to the subject which seemed so much
to agitate him.
1t was natural that il should do so. Il
was justice to his daughter-the child O.
the woman whom he had loved.
In this last moment he solemnly charged
Boisfontaine and Lubin to fail not in hand
ing to De la Oroix, when all should BIZ
over, the precious little black CASE
Then he became unconscious.
| And then, says Mrs. Gaines-then, say
the witnesses whose dispositions support
her-Relf, the partner, turned to the ar.
MORE, took up the bunehes Of KEYS, and
lett the room. Lubin followed him a mo
ment after, and passed the door of the pri
vate room. He tried to enter, but it was
locked. He heard noise as of rustling
among papers.
When the little black case came to be
examined, no will was there!
Instead Of it Messrs: Relf and Chew pro
duced the will of 1911. 1t was admitted
to probate ; and they assumed charge Of
the dead merchants great estates
In 1872, Colonel Davis, with his family
including his little daughter Myra, removed
to Philadelphia, and some years later he
took up his residence at handsome place
on the outskirts of Wilmington. Here passed
the later years of Myra's girlhood. Her
supposed father, though living in com.
fort, and even elegance, was a man Of
marked character, subject to serious out.
breaks OF temper, when provoked, and re-
ceived at his mansion no very wide circle
of society. Myra had a limited acquaint-
ance and few intimate friends. At this dis
lance OF forty years, there are very few
persons in Wilmington who retain dis.
tinct knowledge of Colonel Davis daughter
Myra.
The current of life shifted. There came
to her guardians home young gentleman
irem New York, William Wallace Whitney.
He brought with MIN ample letters OF in
PRODUCTION; but for some reason Colonel
Davis failed to regard him favorably. II
he met with no very warm response in
that quarter, howev II, he had ample COM
pensation he gained the love of Msra.
AT this discovery her guardian grew
feartully angry. He forbade the CORE
spondence between the lovers. He init
mated that he had another and more dis
tinguished alliance in view. From some of
his disclosures she gained the first intima-
tlOn that he was not her father.
The correspondence, of course, contin-
ued. AT length Whitney wrote to Colonel
Davis that he would again visit his house
and assert the propriety of his addresses,
and claim from him an acknowledgment of
his position as a sutton. At this the wrath
of the guardian knew no bounds He ragged
and threatened. He would shoot the auda-
cious lover. He would challenge him. He
should not leave Wilmington alive. Myra
became seriously alarmed.
In this condition of affairs she resolved
that she must meet her lover and warn him
not to come. This she must do in secret
She secured the services of faithful serv-
ant to take her, late at night, in the car
rage to Wilmington. Retiring to her
chamber she waited till the household sank
into quiet, and then hurried down to meet
the old eOachman. The night was dark and
stormy. Rain fell in torrents. She had
hastily gathered slender supply of cloth
ing into her trunk, and the servant helped
her carry it to the carriage.
In trembling anxiety lest the hounds.
which had been carefully tied up by the serv-
ant, might still give an alarm, or that some
other mischance should betray them, the
frightened girl spraDg into the carriage,
and they drove silently down the avenue
Apprehensive of pursuit, they fancied they
heard noises behind them. They did not
pause to open the avenue gates, but pressed
the horses against them and burst them
outward. Hurrying down the road, the
turnpike gate was closed and fastened.
They dared not call the keeper lest his sus-
picions Qhould be aroused. A rush from
the horses burst this new obstacle.
Midnight had chimed from the old town
clock on Market street hill when they drove
into Wilmington. A light in the window
Of familiar dwelling signaled the wet
and trembling girl An intimate female
friend, who had been apprised Of the in
tended flight by brief note in the course
Of the day, was patiently waiting for her
On the breast Of her companion she sobbed
her relief. So far all was safe.
Mr.. Whitney was expected to come by
the steamboat from Baltimore. He would
land on the river side at New Castle, five
miles away. AT daylight Myra set out to
intercept him. Not meeting him, she took
the boat for Baltimore, hoping she might
see him there. Instead of that he had set
out at the same time she did, and they I'M
knowingly crossed each others paths.
Fortunately her friends at New Castle de-
tanned him when he arrived; and or her
prompt return they happily met.
The guardians anger spent its force.
He learned that the lovers were about to
be married in Philadelphia. Myra was of
age. He had much TO lose by declining a
reconciliation. He offered her his home
for her wedding, and she gladly accepted.
Early in the autumn, when (as one of
the bridesmaids, at this distance of thirty
six years, tells us) the fires were lighted on
the hearths, the wedding took place.
The Genius of the Romantic seemed
still to be the ruling spirit. The even
ing was already far SPENT, and all was
ready for the ceremony, when it was dis
covered that no license had been procured.
The bridegroom was annoyed, the bride
trembled, the bridesmaids futtered with
additional tremors Of excitement. A mes
senger was dispatched to ride with all
speed upon the swiftest horse In the stables
TO Wilmington to procure the license. But
a stupid servant gave him, instead, an old
blind animal, who stumbled and blundered
along In the rain and mud. Finding a
magistrate with difficulty, it was ten O'Clock
before he returned and the ceremony could
proceed.
just as IL was over, says the old lady,
who was then the fair young bridesmaid,
the storm which had prevailed during ali
the evening ceased. The wind fell, the
night Gained, and from among the scat
tered clouds the moon shone with peaceful
rays across the lawn.
Was it premonition for the bride
Mr.. Whitney took his wife to New York,
and they dwelt for perhaps two years at
Binghamton, the home Of bis family.