Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-01-18
M istel la MfAu s.
THE TWO SISTE RS.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

81 don't mean to be unkind, Walter"
said Deacon Dean, composedly brushing
the stray specks Of dust off the sleeves o t
lis trim blue coat, with hand that d i'd
not culver one hairs breadth; but don't
you see how impracsicaole this engage
lnent would be.''
Walter Rochefort stood leaning against
the open window, with his eyes humid
and dim, his cheeks blanched. The truth
was, Mater Rochefort had for months
been building bright pinnacled castle
in the ARA castle full of hopes and
dreams and shadowy a2ticipations. And,
with the dryly spoken words Of sensible
worldly wise philosophy, Deacon
Dean had just smitten down its founda-
tons, and RACED its gljttering towers in to
the dust.
You see," said the Deacon, with good
humorcd emphasis, you're young, and
SO is she. And you haven't cent ahead
in the world and she's been use to an
easy life. and amt noways fitted for
poor mans wife, So l guess it isn't
worth while to discuss the subject just
at present
He paused an instant, and then, per-
haps melted by the anguish SO plainly
written on the young mans mute, face he
added more indul gently.
perhaps one o'these days, when
you've made little more Roadway in the
world, we'll think it over again; but
Walter Rochefort, don't want my daugh-
ter fettered by an engagement just now.
There's plenty o'time, plenty o.time."
So spoke worthy Deacon Dean, putting
out huge clouds of smoke from his amber
mounted pipe. and poor Walter Rochefort
went home planning within himself how
to get rich within the shortest period of
time.
Went home-that is went to the vii
lage hotel where he lived while finishing
the task o snrveying that had brought
him down into the country nook where be
had lost bis heart So summarily.
How the drcary evening passed he had
no idea, but as the clock struck ten be
started from his reverie;; to bear two or
three mcn talking on the piazza, a few
PAGES Oft.
"Its paying place." said one. indif-
ferently fitting b is chair backward, sand
smart fellow would make money, to say
nothing of the fair prospects of promo
ton. But then what man worth any thing
Would care to bury himself alive in Cen
tral China r.
II would" spoke up a quick hoarse
voice.
The man laughed.
II don't think you know just what
sort Of a dismal, God forsaken place it is,
Mr.. Roehefort.
Il don't care if i. is the Black Hole
of Calcutta, SAID Walter, impetuously.
''If it's place where one can grow rich,
Pm your man."
"'Then suppose we talk it over togeth-
err" said the other, moving his chair
little closer to the window, just within
which Walter Roche fort sat.
Just week afterward Deacon Dean
incidentally heard that MIR. Rochefort had
left the village.
swell, IN not sorry" said the Dea-
con to himself. 'Not but that he's a
nice young fellow. but think my pretty
Melissa will do considerable better than
Walter Rochefort."
Melissa Dean looked sentimen tally re-
gretfuf when her father told her of her
young engineers abrupt departure, but
poor Sylvia. the younger and palmer SIS
tor bursted into tears. =
"Oh, Melissa, | wonder how you can
take it SO cllmly p
Where's the use Of taking it any 9th
er way ?" demanded Melissa, tying the
effect Of new blue ribbon against the
waxy pink of her lovely round cheek.
Walter Rochefort was very pleasant. bat
there are plenty more young men in the
world,