The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1869-04-07

! am going to devote M!hcli 10 you thc
whole evening. We shall both remem-
bcr this night rs long as We live. Take
NIL the comfort YOU can, aud play the
agreeable TO the hosts Of pretty girls
here assembled.
Ed. Lee arrived. and ElSic's eye
Frightened, and burning blushcs sut-
fused her cheeks. as shc gave him her
hand. -,
\ short promenade. and the old
Squire was down upon her.
"Elsic, child. don't forget tho duties
OF hostess, ! bcsccch Of you. see we
have several new arrivalh."
Go and welcome them yoursclf.
You forget this IL my last pnrty. and ]
nm to do NJ / please" said the vixen,
carlrSSlv rcsuming her walk. "Oh,
Mr.. Lee, | was so afraid YOU wOuldn
come" she remarked, with her eyes
cast down.
"Do you know. Miss Groiton,. he
replied, THAT had you sent mo for
NAL invitation to be present this cven-
in". should never have come; but,
unaccountably, l could not resist tho
'spirit Of your note.
lDUl NIlu ' WI """' W N"hNN' 80
quirr,l Elsie. apparently Srievcd.
Yes. Elsie, and no: If you can I'M
tcrStand that. 1t is not pleasant for
me to come and see You, and KNOW all
the time that YOU are bound TO M 9TH
or, and that there is not the slightest
chance OF ever being able TO win YOU
twith MI my love and devotion"
Edward Lee" said Elsic. interrupt
ing, cxcltediv. lyon love me: You
are sure Of it,
"Iudccd do. darling, with my
whole heart and soul"
7 "Well. then. there is no time now
;:or SentimcntalitirS. love you better
than anybody else in tho world, and il
you'll marry me. to.night. III he your
wife, aud good one, God helping me,
all the days OF my life.
4" Elsie Grotton. how can it be? Am
dreaming? Marry you Tonight
Ycs. YOU darling, u thousand times
over
NO" laughed Elsie; al guess once
! will bc enough. Don't you think so,
: fMthcr?" said the saurcbox. rs she SAW
her fathers eyes fixed on her.
What. my daughtcr:" aud the old
man frightened up.
"Why, Mr.. Lee says that Miss-.Mis>
t-MisS--whnts her name, Ed. !-wcll
the lady this young gentleman is fool
ish enough to br engaged to, he would
marry Il thousand times, and | told him
that r-ckoncd once would suffice.
ALLOW me to congratulate you. Mr..
Lee. Yes. YES. think once will d"
am glad TO hear such good new, of
you. sir: aud the Squire shook the
young mans hand heartily.
"Ih'S completely Otf the trnck now.
said Elsie. chuckliny. "What rundc
you trcmbie so! Now we will srpa.
rate. In half al hour. YOU go to the
next house, on the right, and ask for
Mr.. Morton. llc..c the minister; and
whit for me. lo6u can slip oil Ia" back
piazzn without being missed. Ill bring
the license"
Ed. wondering. but too happy to
question, did ~ he WAS bid. Before
hc had made known his crrand to the
good man, Elsie. with Rob Roy
thrown around her curls, entered the
ministers study.
Now, Mr.. Norton" said shc, Civ
in. him both her hands, "you are my
friend, and know how wretchedly
am situated. | love. this gentleman
and he loves me. Please marry us
this minute"
but, Elsie, have no license i'll your
case" he replied.
but here is ono, regularly made
out: see. with fathers name attached {;
! t-u | nj
that in his secretary to-day. and took
ii, hoping something would happen
The minister. notwithstanding the
Solclunitv of the occasion, could not
refrain from q hearty laugh, rs the
brave girl pleaded her own cause.
Without another word Of demur, the
parties were made husband and wife,
and Mrs. Ed. Lee rested for moment
in the loving arms OF her husband.
Nov we must rcturn;' she said.
After supper, have your carriage
ready; will not have this affair called
all elopcment. so shall open the eyes
OF the whole company, fathers includ-
ed, before leave. Please give me the
certificate, Mr.. Norton" and with
!hcarttrlt thanks for the minister'S
kindness, the nrwly.made couple de-
!partcd. They had not been missed.
Poor Ed. was in II fever OF aaiety. He
wished that Elsie would leave this de-
noumcnt. but nothing would induce
her. Supper hour arrived. Elsie
helped wait upon her guests, and Ed.
looked at his little wife IN astoni.h-
mcut, ~ he noted the courage and in.
imitablc sang Jiom which sustained
her. The Squire proposed n toast.
! Heres to the health OF my daugh.
ter, Elsie Groiton, and the guests here
embed, with y wish that the next
gathering at my house, on the occasion
Of her wedding, few weeks hence,
may be IA productive Of good feeling
US this seems to have been"
Elsie arose, and placing her left hand
on her husbands arm, took in her
right a goblet Of water. ..
ALLOW me, my friends, IN this glass
of clear, sparkling water, the emblem
Of purity, TO drink the health OF my
dear father. May lie live long and
pleasantly. / have relieved him this
evening Of ono fearful responsibility
namely, my marriage. Ny soul re.
volled ut, and my conscience forbade,
on that account, union with 10 near
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