Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-03-04

alone in the drawing-toom, servant entered
and sald
"oolonel Mansfield has called 10 see Miss
Anna
'Request him 70 walk in and VIII gladly
welcome him; then you may inform my
| daughter OF his ARRIVAL .... a-.... ......
The Colonel. entered, was received with
courtesy, a grateful kindness, which made
that queenly matron nobly prepossessing in
his light. s
The conversation, hinging much on the SER
vice he had been 30 happy as TO render, con-
tlnued untn the rustic Of her dress announced
beautiful Anna Marston, our heroine. As he
rose, she gllded forward, and with hands cx-
tended to grasp his, exclaimed;
al am so glad you have como 90 soon, that
my dear mother may with myself join In re-
newal of grateful expressions for" 3.
"a service which fortune threw In my way,
and 10 which hope my kind friend win make
no further allusions, for by the honor Of her
acquaintance am more than rewarded
hope you feel no evil effect from the startling
incident Of the dayr
"None at all. And can now explain TO
you how 1t occurred" laq..
The reader, who has noted all the incidents
Of the plot laid by Belphor, needs no repeti-
tion OF them here. -,-.--.s-
Colonel Mansfield listened, and with the
keen perception of man of the world, read
the entire plot in oil It's dark details. And
while he rejoiced at its failure, he warned the
lady that bad men seldom give up wicked
plan because foiled at first, and that she must
yet guard against peril nom these men.
Urged on, they could not say why, OF cared
not to ask, each in turn con6ded 10 the other
a knowledge of their respective positions.
The Colonel, who had gained his rank in
the volunteer service, was now about to enter
the regular army as captain of cavalry. He
intended 10 do 30, for In frontier and garrison
duty he could find leisure to use his pen, and
the income from that, added to his regular
pay, would enable him to continue to support
and educate an orphan sister-his dear little
Pearl, then at the Rutgers Female College.
He informed Miss Marston that his sister
would graduate during the following week,
and that 1t was his intention to then take her
to the West with him. ~ So
"For," he added, she is too young, too
pure, to go out alone in contact with the
world"
"When your dear sister graduates, would
|
room shall be next my own. Birds shall sing
in every window, and flowers greet lrer eye
on every side. Promise me, my preserver,
that you viii let her live with me, at least for
q time 7"
az would be unjust to both you and her to
refuse, and If you will, together we will visit
her tomorrow, for it is Saturday, and she win
be ell day at home"
Anna, noble hearted, far above the selfish
ness of too many of tine wealthy daughters Of
America, now revealed her soulful nature, as
well as part of her history.
! "Do not think me bold, Colonel Mansfield" }"
she said. al do not mean to be. But 1 am, !
fear, a spoiled child. Mother was left a
widow when was very young, with an i'm.
mense fortune in her hands, q large part OF
which became mine year ago, when 1 be-
came of age. She has had me educated at
home, but has allowed me always to have my
own way in everything. 1t has made me in
dependent and willful, apt to speak just as
feel, and to act as believe right. If 1 err,
forgive me-"
"Dear Miss Anna, your faults are the faults
Of an angel, and can never see them. Were
/ wealthy, placed above the influences of that
tide which, ebbing and flowing, carries poor
humanity whittier 1t wills, / would feel indie
pendent, and say more to you now than honor
will permit. For to tell you that love you,
to ask you to give your love and hand to one
unable to do more than to keep himself out of
debt, and to raise and educate one sweet sis
ter, would indeed be dishonorable."
Edgar Mansfield, drop all titles, scorn
all cold ceremony, l hate conventionaiities
I anE laAu I hat
whispers to me you are the one, the only one
to whom 1 can eonflde the happiness of my
life"
"Oh, Anna, is not this a dreamr'
"No, Edgar Mansfield, 1t is real, and every
word that have uttered comes from my
heart. The world, too cold to read hearts as
hearts are, may not understand me, but you
will. Love springs into existence even as
volcanic fires leap from the snow-crowned
mountain, and LovBp
This outburst of affection was succeeded by
a cry Of alarm. Anna Marston, raising her
eyes 10 the curtain of the large window, 'front.'
ing the parlor, saw face which she immed-
ately recognized. Her startled exclamation
caused the owner of the face to fly, and pur-
suit was made In vain.
To account for the presence of this strange
face at Miss Marston's window, II is necessary
to return to the two gamblers. With bitter
curses on his lips, Belphor rejoined his part
ner, Durant, and explained the manner In
which Mansfield had saved the lady and how
ne had been literally refused an opportunity
to make any acquaintance with her.
While he was threatening TO challenge his
rival, for such he mentally made him, the vag-
abond urchin who had shared In the work
rushed up, demanding the Ave dollars which
Belphor had promised him.
Belphor gave him the money, and the boy
was about to run of when the gambler said I:
"Not go fast, boy. I've more work for you.
Do you see that officer walking toward the
Driver Well, want him followed and watch
ed. He'll go to his hotel nrst, that am sure
of But after he comes cut again, i want to
know where he goes 10, and l don't want him
10 know that he is watched. Do this and
bring the information TO my lodgings-here's
my card, with the addrees-and Pll give you
rVe dollars more"
can right, guv'nor," returned the boy,
who wac about TO set forth on the mission,
when Durant stopped him. The latter, who
had been intently scrutiniElng his face for
some moments, fancied that he detected in
his features q striking resemblance to those
OF a mlserly millionaire who pretended TO be
q childless man.
boy, what is your namer Durant asked.
"AwNINGs."
"AwnIngsS That is singular name. Why
are you called Awnings"
because WAS found under heap of avn
ings when was a squaller. But you'd better
let me run amer that cove II you don't want
him to get out of sight before start"
With q motion Durant assented, and the boy
started in pursuit Of Col. Mansfield, The re-
suit Of his mission has been inferred by the
reader, for 1t was Awnings face that had star
tied Miss Marston when she beheld II gleam-
Ing at her through the window,
Her startled cry caused the boy to beat q
hasty retreat, and with rapid footsteps he
made his way TO the gamblers dwelling to
make his report.
| Mr. Belphor was alone In hiS chamber when