Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-03-26

TO hotel, where she took dinner,
i and then set out for the Winchester
House. With a palpitatiug heart she
asked to be shown to room No. So.
A gentleman was already in the
room. He stood looking out of the
window, with his back toward the
! door, when she was admitted.
"a lady, SIR" said the porter, re-
treating and closing the door behind
him.
"Ellinor Fcmimorc - he exclaimed.
"Mr. Ruthven!'
"What does this mean? p he ques-
toned. "Ilpw did you come here.
lie advanced closer, looking into
her eyes as he spoke.
"Tcll me-" he pleaded, "what
brought you here?"
"Tha Times" she faltered.
"And you are Snowdrop-you my
wife," he cried; "and 1 have strug-
gled SO hard to keep from loving
you, thinking it was SIM"
lie ciasped her in his arms, and
kissed her blushing face; and she did
not resist him.
That evening they surprised the
Fcnimores by walking into their
midst, arm in arm.
"My wife, Mrs. Ruthven," he intro
duccd.
MIR. Fenimore looked at them
bland!y.
"When were you married?" he
asked.
six years ago." was the response.
six years ago! Ellinor, explain |
This looks very strange"
Il will, papa" she returned, going
over and resting her hand OH his
shoulder. "You have much to for
give me for. When you went to
iudia and left me with aunt Mercy,
was very young--not more than u
babe. She was very strict with me.
She allowed me no company when l
got older, and kept an eye to my
every step. When l was fourteen,
she sent Inc to a young ladies' board
ing-school. While there met with
Mark Allen. We were both roman-
tic, and formed fast friendship.
went under the name, then, OF Nell
Montmary - that was my middle
name. and my aunt's name, and she
wished ME to do so.
"At last, Marks father died, and
Marks uncle, out in India, sent for
him. Then he came to NE, and we
thought we could not separate. low
ever, stole away from the school,
one afternoon, aud We were married.
I'VE We're not to. correspond.
When Mark became rich-of course
we thought of NO other Contingency
he was to return and insert j notice
ill the Times.
Years wen, past. No notice was
inserted. You came home, with my
brothers and sisters. Aunt Mercy
died, leaving me her fortune. Then
came home and took my rightful
name, Feninore.
81 regretted what l had done, but
could not tcll.you, and SO l was soon
thought cold and tickle, because l
cared for no enc that met.
cat last Mr.. Ruthven came. ] did
not recognize i'll him Mark Allen
Rutiivcn-hc had adopted his uncie's
family namc-nor did he in me the
Nell Montmary of old.
"Well-I-I thought had no right
to care for him, aud SO pretended
coldmess."
"And l." said Mr.. Ruthvcn, "found
Ellinor apparently shirking the alle-
glance l had cherished all the long
years fer my Nell. came down here
to rest, intending then to advertise
for my wife, but put it off. At last l
tore myself away, determined to go
out aud do my duty-find my wife
though it broke my heart. Iput the
notice in, and Ellinor appeared.
Have we your forgivness ?"
1t was freely given, and they never
complained of Ellinor Ruthven's
coldness again.
81 always had q presentiment that
Ellinor aud the stranger Of 'Brier-
wood Cottage were destined for one
another" Belle declared, and nobody
contradicted her.