The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-11-17
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THE DEAD LETTER.

health was not good, / wrote an acceptance 10
his cordial invitation to make him visit, and
accordingly one pleasant May evening found
me nearing Selwyn's home.
Ireeeived warm welcome from his family,
which consisted of his young wife, rosy,
laughing brunette, and his mother.
The next morning after my arrival, Grant
asked me to accompany him to the Office.
.tIt is rather dull there, 1 will allow" said
he, 'sbut you may be able to find something
among the old letters to amuse you"
Now, delight in reading old letters, SO /
did not need much urging.
We were seated before the long table at the
Office, when noticed letter directed in del
icate, womanly hand, to "Marmaduke Vance,
Riverdale, n Y" l took it up to examine it,
and as opened the sheet, plain gold ring
fell from it to4the floor. The words, MAUD,
from Duke" were engraven inside. The letter
ran as follows:
seDEAR DUKE: We must not see each other
again. My father commands me to marry ia
cob Armstrong and l cannot disobey him.
You know how stern and unyielding he can be.
have begged and prayed in vain. We must
part, and this is my last farewell; but | shall
ALWAYS be true to you. Farewell, dear Duke.
Ishan never love another. May God bless you.
MAUD"
Duke Vance was my dearest friend and
chum in college. His fathers death and fall
ure, soon after we left school, had left him
alone in the world, and penniless. SO, at the
time the letter was written-nearly two years
ago-he had entered small dry goods store in
the country town of Riverdale, on meagre
salary that barely supported him. He wrote
to me soon after, and said he was going to Aus
tralia, and wemight never meet again. won
dered what had caused this sudden decision,
and had never forgotten him. But two years
had passed and brought no word from him, and
I had given him up for dead.
On my last visit home, Il had been travelling
for year, Ihad noticed a pale, golden-haired
girl, fitting around our house; but my short
stay at home had prevented my more than
speaking to her and learning that her name
was Maud Sutherland she was our gov
erness. Her sweet, blue eyes seemed always
brimming over with tears, and had far-away
look in them.
After left home, my mother wrote that she
had lost her governess, just when the children
loved her so much. That one of the wealthy
men of the city-Jacob Armstrong
Maud's age, had been attracted by the beauty
of the girl, and had taken her to be mistress
of his family home. Poor Maud had almost
cried her eyes out, but her father, a poor,
worthless creature, had told her if she did not
marry Armstrong, he would kill shat Vance
fellow" Just as sure as she disobeyed him.
This had the desired effect, and Maud was liv-
ing in luxury.
I thought over all this, and took the letter
and ring and put them in my pocket resolved
to keep them for Duke Vance, should he ever
return, and tell him what had learned, for he
no doubt thought her heartless, and that she
no longer loved him.
/ took up paper to read until time for
Grant to leave, and this caught my eye among
the notices of the dead:
@Jacob Armstrong died suddenly OF apo
plexy on the 10th inst"
So, thought I, poor Maud Switzerland is free.
A few days after, while walking down the
crowded street, came face to face with Duke
Vance.
'Trevalyn, old fellow, how are your" was
his first greeting, as he grasped my hand.
"Vancei how came you here? l thought
you were in Australia" said l.
$50 have been, but am once more in my
native land. Come up to my rooms, my boy,
and we will have talk over old tines
He had grown bronzed and brown, but was
still the same Duke of old.
After we had chatted awhile, said, some
what abruptly:
"By the way, Duke, what has become OF the
little golden-haired beauty you used to rave so
about2"
A tronbled look of pain came into his fine,
brown eyes.
"Don't, Guy; you don't know what you ask"
He spoke calmly; but the muscles around
his bearded mouth trembled.
Without further ado, placed the letter and
ring in his hand, while I explained how they
came into my possession.
He read it and sprang to his feet, all the
look of pain gone for moment.
"Dear friend" he cried, you have made me
new man. "But," he added, sit is too late
now she is my Maud no longer. But know
she loves me still, wherever she is, no matter
what is her name" And he sunk back IN his
seat with a sigh.
quietly gave him the paper, and pointed to
old Armstrong; DEATH He seized his hat and
darted from the room, without so much as bid
ding me goodbye.
Two weeks after, was at home again, and,
walking down the street one evening in June,
hand was placed on my shoulder, and rich,
manly voice said:
"Aren't you going to speak to an old friend
Trevalyn?"
| turned, and caught Duke Vance by the
hand; eager words of inquiry trembling on
nv lips. But he broke out with
81 have found her, Guy, and am the happl-
est man aliveW
''Of course, you are," said I, laughing. Cali
accepted lovers are the happiest men in the
world Accept my hearty congratulation."
He laughed merrily All the cid look was
gone from his eyes, and in its place was a
Steady, shining light, and knew he was happy.
"Come with me, Guy" he said; "1 am just
going to see Maud. She will be glad to see
You, for we have talked of nobody but you, ex-
cept ourselves" laughing, :,
'fSo, Duke said I, on the way. "you are not
afraid that she will think you fortune-hunt-
erp
seNo, indeed You told me my good news
50 soon that day, did not have time to tell
you / made my fortune in Australia and