Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-10-21

Watch thee, dream of thee, sigh for thee alone.
Fair star of Clapham-may add my ownW
10 quote, with some alterations, the noble
stanzo Of the roet Brown? And now I have
a favor to ask of you. Whenever you sec
me at the window, take no notice of me al
present, lest my mother observe it.. In a
few days she will be going out of town, and
then we can throw off all restraint Till
then, adieu My own eyes are ever on you.
Your own.
''WILLoUGnBY VANE"
To which epistle came up the following
enswer:
DEAR S1R:-Your explanation is perfect
y satisfactory. I may also add that your
features are not at all repulsive to
eva"
Bless her. What delightful little soul
she is p calculated Willoughby.
And he went out, ordered new suit of
clothes, and had his hair cut
Willy laid Mrs. Vane to her son the
next morning, I wish you would do some
thing to improve your mind, and not waste
Jour time by looking out Of the window as
you have lately done. Come and read the
parliamentary debates to me, if you have
nothing else to do
The worthy lady was red hot politician,
and for three mortal hours she kept him at
this delightful task; at the expiration of
which time he succeeded in escaping to his
own room, where he wrote the following
note to Eva:
DEAREST EvA-I am overjoyed at the
contents Of your brief communication. If,
as you say, my features are not altogether
repulsive to you, may I hope that you will
consent to be mine mine only /?
''W1LLouGHBY.
Back came the reply next morning
DEAR W1LLouenBY-Your reply has
made me feel very happy. It is very dull
here-no society here except my father and
mother hope for more congenial COM
partnership. Thine, "EvA."
In this delightful manner the days few
on-halcyon days, too, they were for Will
loughby, and sweetened by the interchange
of this and similar love-like correspondence.
On the following 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 Cap
tain Blacks servants brought the following
note for Willoughby:
'WILLIE-Have you any objection to my
telling my dear papa all ? Matters have
now gone so far that it will be impossible
for either of us to retract what we have
written. Let US take papa into our conf
dence. I know his kind and generous na-
ture well, and have no fear that he will OPP.
pose our union. Pray send me line by
bearer. Eva
The answer was as follows
"MY OwN Eva: Do whatever you con-
slider best. My fate is in your hands. II
your papa should refuse his consent. l.
But I will not Think of anything so dread
full ! Fear not that [ should ever retract-
Life without you would be desert, with nc
GASES to brighten it. Yours until death
'WILLoUGHBY
That evening, just as Willoughby had
finished dinner, he heard loud double
knock at the street door, and on its being
opened, strange voice inquired in loud
tone:
els Mr. Willoughby Vane at home p
His heart beat violently as Jane, enter
ing his room, said
"A gentleman wishes to speak with you in
the library, sir
And she handed him card inscribed
Captain Choker Black. G. B., Fl. Ms
1,794th Foot
I will be with him in moment sale
Willoughby and he swallowed couple o.
glasses of sherry, to nerve him for the in
terview.
Captain Chokcr Black, I believer he
said as he entered the library.
Your servant, sir, said the gallant Cap
tain, who, glass in eye, was busily engaged
in scrutinizing an engraving of the battle o
Navarino. Your servant, sir. Have
the pleasure Of addressing Mr. Willoughby?
/ Willoughby bowed.
Then, sir, of course you know the bust
ness that has brought me here?
Terribly nervous, and scarcely knowing
what answer to make, our hero bowed again
Come, come, sir +; don't be afraid t.
speak out My daughter has made me be-
confdant, SO let there beno reserve between
US Eva has told me all ?
Here poor Willonghby blushed up to TIL
roots of his hair
You see, know all about it. You hav
fallen desperately in love with the poo
girl and, although you have never ex
changed three words together, you ar
already engaged to be married. Might
expeditions, upon my word. Ha! ha ! ha
Pray excuse me for laughing, but the ide
is somewhat comical Ha ha ha +!
AS the Captain appeared to be in YER
, good humor Willoughby's courage bega
, to rise.
Don't men ton it, sir. You are her father
and have right to do what you please
; But sincerely trust that you have no OK
+ jections to Offer
Il! None! Believe me, I shall be de
] lighted to see Eva comfortably settled. BIZ
: bark We, sir Business is business, am
plain, blunt man, and fifteen years sojour
with ones regiment in India doesn't help
! polish ole. First of all, what are you
! prospects 2
= And the CAPTAIN drew notebook frol
his pocket, and proceeded to examine OF
hero, as if he were in court Of justice.
You are an only son, [ believe :?
I am
Good And down went the note in th
, pocket-book.
Your age?'
'Twenty-eight next birthday
: Twenty eight ! Good. Is your constit1
ton healthy?'
: II believe so. I have had the measles
n whooping cough and mumps.'
: Disorders peculiar to infancy. Good,
e and the Captain scrubbed away again.
t Are you engaged in business or profe'
g sion 2