The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-10-24
may hope that you will consent to
be mine-mlne only?
s,NNITT nITGHRY


my father and mother. l long tor
more oongenial cOmpanIonshlp.
Thine, EVA
In this delightful manner the days
few on-halcyon days, too, they were
for Willoughby, and sweetened by the
interchange of this and similar lover
like correspondence. On the follow
ing Monday morning Mrs. Vane left
town on visit to some friends In
Devonshire, leaving her son to keep
house at home. That same afternoon
one of Captain Blacks servants
brought the following note to Will
loughby:
'!WILLIE: Have you any objection
to my telling my dear papa all? Mat
tiers have now gone so far that 1t
will be impossible for either of US to
retraot what we have written Let US
take papa into our confidence. /
know his kind and generous nature
we'll, and have no fear that he will
oppose our union. Pray send me a line
by bearer. EVA"
The answer was as follows:
"MY Own EVA: Do whatever you
consider best. My fate is in your
hands. If your papa should refuse
his consent, = But | will not
think of anything so dreadful! Fear
not that I shall ever retract. Life
without you would be a desert, with
no oasis to brighten it.
Yours until death, WILLoUGHBY."
That evening, just az Willougby
had finished dinner, he heard loud
double knock at the street door; and
on its being opened, strange voice
inquired, in loud tone:
rs Mr.. Willoughby Vane at. home"
His heart beat violently as Jane,
entering his room, said:
"A gentleman wishes 10 speak with
you in the library, Sir"
And she handed him a card. inscrib-
ed captain Choker Black, G. B., Ell.
NJ 3 1.794th Foot"
81 will be with him 10 a moment"
said Willoughby; and he swallowed a
couple of glasses of sherry, 10 nerve
him for the interview.
. Captain Choker Black, l believer"
he said as he entered the library.
Your servant, sir, said the gallant
Captain-who, glass in eye, was busily
engaged in scrutinizing an engraving of
the battle of Navarino, Your serv-
ant, sir, Have l the pleasure of ad.
dressing Mr.. Willoughby Vane?"
WillOughby bowed.
Then, sir, of course, you know the
business that has brought me here?"
Terribly nervous, and scarcely
knowing what answer 20 make, our
hero bowed again.
Come, come, Sir, don't be afraid TO
speak outl My daguhter has made
me her con6dant, SO let there be no
reserve between US. Eva has told me
ALL"
Here poor WilIoughby blushed up
to the roots his hair.
You see, know all about it. You
have fallen desperately in love with
the poor girl; and, although you have
never exchanged three words together,
you are already engaged to be married.
Mighty expeditions, upon my word.
Hal hal hal Pray excuse me for
but the idea is somewhat
comical Hal hal ha I"
As the Captain appeared to be in a
very good humor, Willoughby's
courage began to rise.
Don't mention it, Sir. You are
her father, and have a right to do what
you please. But | sincerely trust that
you have no objections to offer"
"? None! Believe me, | shall be
delighted to see my Eva comfortably
settled. But harkye, Sir. Business is
business. | am plain, blunt man,
and fifteen's years sojourn with ones
regiment In India doesn't help to
wNlseH oP al bn
prospects2'
And the Captain drew a note book
from his pocket, and proceeded to ex-
anime our hero, as if he were in court
of Justice.
You ere an only son, believer"
Il am"
Good And down went the note
in the pocket book.
Your age?"
Twenty eight next birthday"
Twenty eight Good, Ia your con-
stitutiOn healthy?n
II believe so. / have had the mea-
sizes, whooping- cough, and humps"
Disorders peculiar to infancy.
Good" And the Captain scrubbed
''Are you engaged il any business
or profession"
None"
"Then how on eartn do you live?"
"OH my private income, Captain.
Then all / can say is, you're an IN
commonly lucky fellow to be able to
subsist on that. | only wish could.
What is your inoome2"
About seven hundred a year"
us 1t IN house property, shares In
limited companies, or the funds? 1t
in public companies, | should be
sorry 70 give two years purchase for
the lot.
"Iu the new three per cents"
Good. | think [ may say very
good! What sort of temper are you?
We'll. that's rather a difficult
question to answer, said Willoughby
smiling for the first time.
Hang it sir; not all returned the
Captain. IF any one asked me my
temper, | should say Hasty sir-con-
foundedly hastyl' And ChokeI
Blacks proud OF it, Sir-proud Oh Il
Say about the average, answered
Willoughby, timidly.
Temper average" said tha Ga ptair
/ jotting it down. Il thin those ar
about all the questions have 70 ash
you. You know nay daughter by
sight2"
II have had the pleasure of seeing
her irequently-from the window, Sir.
And you think you could be hap
py with her?
Think, Captain / am oeitAi.
Very good. Now, harkys, DIR
Willoughby Yaae. Marry her, trea
her we'll, aud be happy. Neglect her
blight her young affections by harsh
ness or cruelty, and hang me, Sir, if
don't riddle you with bUiletsl Cad
Sir, / an . man Of my word. and III
| do what l say, q sure as my nams'
Choker Black r.
~ have 30 fear on that score, Gap
tain. Unite her to me, and if life Q