Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-06-05

neat little cottage in G., and moved tbere Win
her two children, Jeauic and Ruth.
Francis Ruihven had ccased glanoine at tie
book before him, aud now, seated YET ut TIE
table. with bis hands resting on his knees, and
his head bent down, was engaged ia a deep
study. Suddenly he started up aud paced tl's
room quickly few times, aud at las, ha''ea
in front Of the maniel.
Il wonder" he unused, 3" fshe is living YET,
and il she is. does my little beauty ever ilIins
Of me? Oh Ber,ie! BERTHE! Even though
you aid reject ME. why did not remain near
YOU? Perhaps at last you would have under.
stoud my love. and consented 10 be my vile
Oh Dertic. Bcr-tie----" and the strong -bn''t
man. clasping his hands tightly together bower
his head upon them, and wept like child.
Standing thus, the door quietly opened ana
Mrs Bayner entered. She started back, ut tue
sioht of her brother. who still remained in his
passive position befo fore the fireplace, ana SOFT
h left the room again, uoiselesslF closing the
door after her. Then, with a slight warning
rustle of her dress his sister re-entered the n
nartment and found Mr. Ruthven standing al
the table csrecssy turning over the leaves ol
a book while all outward traces oi bis sorrow
had vanished.
:" Nettie." he said, "Iam going North day
after to-mnrruw en- short trip, and II you
could arrange for the children to stay VIII
your sister during your absence, shou'd hH'
~ take YOU along. We will only be gone a.
bout fortnight.
But Mrs. Bayner, for some reason oi her own
declined the invitation, urging as an excuse
that she had really too much sewing to do, anS
the children would never be happy away irou
her Soon after. Mr.. Ruthyen let, the room
and went up stairs, saying be felt tired an'
sleeny and would 60 to bed. "Ah my poo
brother p said Mrs. Bayner, sadly, as he close
the door. where will this mad passion o
yours end? As a child. and as youth, yo'
loved her, and now. creeping on to soDe
maturity. your heart has not lost one lota O
rs infatuatlon
On the second morning after this, Tranci
Ruthyen stood on his sisters porch, bldd'n'
her and the children goodbye. Acarrage was
the door, aud on its box large trunk marhe'
FIR
"Goodbye. Nettie. III telegraph you on N.
arrival AT b. and from there 10 W.. no acc.
demt could happen me. And say, Nettie,
you want any sum Of money while I'm gone
send to Dawson. lie will fix IT, ! told hin
to do so"
The monster steamship cast of her lines ST
ently sailed nut of the dock, aud down Inc
hay. crossed the Tar at fortunate tide, and
with PROV turned Northward, and her huge
engines throbbiug, flung back upon the Ian
ruid air volume of soo,y smoke from he'
smukc-stacks. aud firmly rode the TOSSING
ocean. hnthNen 'e''
tired on arriving at D. He did ne. stop, how
ever. but. after teegraphnG his sister, took
TN. first train for w, whittier he arrived in th'
early afternoon. Duly qrartered at an hotel
he had renewed bis toilet and saunicrcd ont OF
a restless walk Was it mere chance tina
took him down long, familiar square, bor'
dering on an extensive public garden 2 Th
variuns sights around him were not new, ant
a returned exile like Ruthven should have g
yinced more interest IN these objects. Reach
ing the end of this square, he travcrsed TIRE
Others and halted at a corner. lie looked a
cross the way. Yes, there was the well-rc
membered house; high and narrow. painte'
brown. with the same cosy bay window pro
iccting lrcm the patur. Ny hero INDUCED II
some retrospective thoughts OF. ! do not donbt
tender character because he glanced longing
" nj the dwelling aud his eyes slightly
filed with tears y street car passed an6
laltgd at the opposite crossing. lady
clad IN deepest mourning, alighted fr N It
and walked in the direction oi the house Ruth
ven looked a,. IL gave au involuntary start
Was that his little Berue uf former days =
Yes. the same fgure-tall. slender, graceful
and-inst then. arrived at the porch she turn
el arIuud and Fraucis Ruthyen caught sight
of the same. sad cxpns-iuncd face, though
slightly altered. My hero, independent u
all lis ways-crussed the street, walked up i'
the door. rung the gnng-hell As warning
aud entered. ln the parIor standing ueaT th'
window. was a tall, slender girl of perhapi
twenty years. with dark brown eyes aud bar
Rulhven stopped uesr the door, and s"ltiy
PRONOUNCED her name. She turned quick y
around. aud recognizing her old, faithful lover
spoke not a word, bu, frankly, generously ex-
tended 10 him her hand. kueeling at her feet
he kissed it over aud over, murmuTlng tht
while, my BERTHE, you love me still 2 Aud
Brrtie,-her lus,rous eyes sugused in tears
answered Francis, could you ever doubt ~
Mrs. Bayner, down 10 her little cottage 10
C Wondering at her brothers silence, was
handed, two weeks af,r biz departure W.
paper containing this marked notice:
MARRIED.
RurHyyy-GAsco1GxE.-0 the 18th inst, at the
residence of the brides aunt, by hev. j. y. 30
ker. Francis Il. Kulhven, Of C., and Bertie, only
daughter of Mr. I. b. Gascoigne, OF this city
Mrs. Bayuer showed no surprise for, indeed
.he felt none. This deaoucmcEt had been long
expected.
Within the walls Of comfortable old hou'e
IN ". are doniclled Mr. and Mrs. Ffancls
Ru,hveu, ahd Mrs Bayier. our hero's sister,
with her little children. Jeauie, the Diamond
beauty. has been bribed by her uncle never to
refer to a promise made the little lady some
while ago down in Ca plentiful supply oi
candy beiug required. however, to shut the
rosy mouth. Mrs Ruthven was, in days gone
by. the pet Of Jeanette Bayner, aud stii holds
her affection. II is hard for any one 70 know
the lairest Of brides and not love her. Fran
cis Ru,bven, happy, supremely, in possessing
his Prize. blesses the sileut pfompteF within
his heart. that babe him become bis own me-
diator aud essay 10 firmly piece The Broken
Thread.
JT.-nsrro