The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-02-09
The answer as follows :

union. FRAY send me line by bearer.
EVA.
The answer as follows:
My 0wN EVA: Do whatever you consid
er 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 ! shall ever retract. Life without
you would be a desert, with no oasis to
brighten it. Yours until DEATH
WILL0UGHBY.
That evening, just as Willoushby had
finished dinner, he heard loud double
knock at the door j; aud, on its being
opened, a strange voice enquired, in a
loud tone.
Is Mr.. Willoughby Vane at home? ?"
His heart beat violently as Jane, Gu.
tering the room, said (:
ga gentleman wishes to speak to you
in the library, sir"
And she handed him card, inscrib.
ed " Captain Choker Black, G. b. ii.
Ms 1,79ith Foot"
" will be with him in n moment"
said Willoughby; and he swallowed a
couple of glasses of sherry to nerve him
for the interview.
Captain Choker Black, l believe p
he said as he entered the library.
Your servant, sir" said the gallant
Captain-who glass on eye, was busily
engaged in scrutinizing an engraving
Of the battle Of Navarina. "Your ser.
want, sir. Have l the pleasure of ad.
dressing Mr.. Willoughby yane ?"
Willoughby bowed
"Then, sir, of course, you know the
business that has brought me here p
Terribly nervous, and scarcely know.
ing what answer to make, our hero
bowed again.
"Come, come, sir, don't be afraid to
speak out My daughter has made me
her conidant, SO let there be no reserve
between us. Eva has told me ALL"
Here poor Willoughby blushed up to
the roots of his hair.
" You see, l 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
Ha !! ha ha Pray excuse me for laugh
ing, but the idea is somewhat comical j!
Ha ! ha ha!
As the captain appeared to be in a
very good humor, Willoughby's courage
began to raise.
Don't mention it, sir You ere her
father, and have right to do what you
please. But l sincerly trust that you
nave no oDJectlons TO ofier.
al? Nonel Believe me, shall be
delighted to see my Eva comfortably
situated. But harkye, sir. Business
is business. l am plain, blunt man
aud fifteen years service with ones reg
imeut in India doesn't help to polish
one. First Of all, what are your pros.
poets 7"
And the Captain drew note. book
from his pocket, and proceeded to ex-
anime our hero, as if he were in a court
of justice,
You are an only sou, l believe Z"
81 am."
Good" Aud down went the note 10
the pocket book.
Yoar agcY"
Twenty-eight next birthday"
"Twenty,eight ! Good. Is your con-
stitution healthy ?"
al believe SO. l have had the mea-
slcs, whocping- cough and mumps."
Disorders peculiar to infancy. Good?"
Aud the Captain scribbled away again.
Are you engaged in any business
or proiession?"
"Noue."
"Then how do you live 7"
"0u my private income, Captain"
"Then all I can say is, you're an un-
common lucky fellow to be able to sub.
sist on that. l only wish / could.
What is your income ?"
About seven hundred a year."
Is it in house property, or shares in
limited companies. | should be sorry to
give two ye-rs, purchase for that lot"
an the New Three per Cents"
"Good. think | may say, very
good What sort of temper are your"
Well, that's rather difficalt ques-
tion to answer" said Willoughby smil-
ing for the first time.
Hang it sir, not at all~ retarned
the Captain. If any one asked me
my temper, ] should say, "Hasty sir.
copfoupdedly hasty" Aud Choker
Blacks proud of it, sir--proud of tp
"Say about the average" answered
Willougbby, timidly.
Temper average" said the Captain,
jotting it down. II think those are
about all the questions | have to ask
vou Vou know nv dau0bter bv s;yht 7p