Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-10-07


first time since she had left him while at work
on the lock. She did not turn away her eyes
She bowed. lie lifted his hat The ice was
broken lie approached to bid her good-by.
What the conversation was that eusuel be-
tween the two men when they were left alone
by means Of Ned's ingenuity in spiriting away
the rest Of the company, is unknown, save the
following:
But am a locbsmith," " said Mr.. Main
well
No matter"
Are you willing to live as the wife Of oae
who with bis hands earns his daily bread -?
4 am willing to undergo anything to be
with you. have suffered enough. During
these last few days | have learned what tits to
despair of being united to the one love-"
But your mother-your father?'
Unless l am willing to leave them for your
sake, am not worthy Of you"
But then tue loss Of wealth, Of position, Of
the surroundings Of refinement"
"Do lot say anything more about it. am
willing to leave all for your sake. am wea-
ry Of being without you"
Would you be willing to become my wife
this day, this hour? Your father and mother
might otherwise put obstacles in our way"
4 am willing-this hour, this minute"
"Ihey do not know Of my position in life. %
They still think you are wealthy-as l did -
Come, then, we will 90 on our way with
Ned, and become before the world what weare
now in spirit, husband and wife and then at
once we will take the cars for the home have
for you-a home which, though lowly, viii
make you happy"
"Whithcr YOU go ! will go.'
They were married in a quiet way in the lit
tie watering place chapel, with the wicked Ned
couniying at the mischief. Tho next train
sped with them to the city.
Il will show you the shop where | work, "
said Mr.. Mainwell, when the carriage they took
at the depot in the city had drawn up before
one of a long block of brown-stonc houses in
a splendid part Of the city.
what do you mean ?" she demanded, as She
accompanied her husband up the broad steps
to the door.
81 mean, he replied, that this is the home,
and this is the workshop"
And he led her in. Among other rooms to
which he conducted his wife was one fitted mp
as a workshop, where, as he said, he was ac-
customed to indulge his love for mechanical
work, after having, as he assured her, regular
ly served his time at learning a trade.
Mrs. Maiuwcll stood aud looked at him in
tently.
This is your house," she asked.
" Yes, madam"
3" And you are not poor, but rich p
You speak the truth, Mrs Mainwell D"
"Aud why did youplay this jest upon me ?"
&" To see whether you really loved me for my
own sake"
"Ah, pretty, indeed! And suppose you
don't love me ?"
But DO"
Humph"
So there was a little family quarrel on the
spot.
Nowinvite your father and mother to come
and see us, said Mr. Mhinwell, after the clouds
had cleared away somewhat.
Il will, she replied, 81 will. But frstyou
must 90 with me to see them, and to pacify
them in view of what we have d2ne'
Every well.
In a few days they started out in a carriage
on their errand. Mrs Mainwcll gave the d.
rectious to the driver, aud her husband could
not help expressing bis wonder at the increas-
ing squalor Of the ucighborhood through which
they rode. The carriage drew up at length be-
fore a miserable looking tenement house and
stopped.
Where the deuce are YOU taking me ?"
asked Mainwell, looking sharply at lis wife.
Come and sec, was her reply, as sic pro-
ceedod to step from the carriage.
Herc-wait,' ho exclaimed, after his hesi-
fancy; let me get out first aud help you out.
What does this mean -
Follow me-" was her reply.
She led him up stars-up, up, through
tlrongs. and dirt, and smells, to the fourth sto-
~. Here she opened a door without knock
ing, aud the two entered. The woman was
dressed neatly aud so were the children, but
they were all dressed very poorly, in keeping
with the place. The man was clad more care
les.ly, and even more poorly. On lis head be
kept bis bat, which certainly was full half a
dozen years Old.
My husband, Mr. 3Iainwell; my father
and mother brothers aad sisters said Mrs.
Maxwell Introducing all parties.
Mr. M4iAwell stood and stared with9u.
speaking.
Ash their pardon, George, said Mrs. Main
wen, for running away with me"
Who are thcy?'
"HaYe ! 10. told You diiu't introduce
y5u?'
WHO were they saw at the watering
plaso27
Some wealthy people who had seen nc at
the milliners where sewel for livelihood
served at my trade, George-aud who fncied