Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-05-11
but he had gone South for three


looks and ways that made me abso
lutely afraid of him. He was pas
sionate, dissolute fellow, and his
wealth and even high family connec
tions did not render him suitable
companion for young girl who, in
spite of her position of general ia
vorite, had been brought up in coun-
try simplicity, and was pure and
guiIeless. For the longer | knew
Pet the better I understood her, and
instead of thinking her heartless, as
l once did, knew it was her genuine
affability that made her society so
sought after by the young gentle
men, who always like gOod-tempered
girls.
Mr.. Glvndon Fame was very diff
ferent from Pets boy-loyers, and l
soon saw that he had great influ
ence over her. She would blush at
the mention of his name. as saw
her blush at no other. She wore his
color--rose- pink. The only time /
ever saw her vexed was when old Ju
dith, the house-keeper, meaning no
harm, threw out some fading blush
roses which he had sent her.
But they are faded Miss Pet"
said Judith, "and there are plenty
OF fresh ones in the garden
"What if they are faded? l want
to keep them. l wish you would let
my things alonew she cried angrily.
But her tender heart rebuked her
almost instantly for her harsh words,
and she followed old Judith into the
hall, and cried with her arms around
her neck, and kissed her wrinkled
cheek hundred times, for the old
woman had tended and nursed her
dead mother.
But there certainly was change
in Pet; she was nervous, absent
minded, abstracted. l begged her,
meaningly, not to sit up so late; for
she was with Mr.. Fame in the parlor
every evening until ten or eleven
O'Clock. She blushed burningly, but
made no answer.
Then | did very unwise thing.
told her that l had heard evil re-
ports of Mr.. Glyndon Fame, and l
did not think him a suitable associ-
ate for young lady. She never
could bear to hear evil spoken of a
person, and of course she resented
INV insinuations and defended him
warmly. His words or manner never
had offended her, she said; she did
not believe the tales | had heard.
Thus coldness sprang MP between
Pet and me, though l was deeply
grieved, and yearned over her in
my heart. But one day Glyndon
Fane's amt, Miss Jemima Ebert,
called on me. We had been ut school
together, and she was one of those
who never forget old friendships.
"Glyndon comes here to see Pet, |
hear" she said. "'You must look
ont for him; he is sad boy"
"What has he done amissy' said
I, as quietly as | could.
"Ask me rather what he hasn't
done. Though he is my nephew, /
know him to be one of the most reck-
less of young men. My sister Eve
lyn spoiled him, indulged him to
death in his childhood. Ask Roland
Rathburn, who knew him in New
York"
Now, Roland Rathburn, my ne
nbew called that afternoon, and | had
long talk with him.
The result was that was nearly
sick. excused myself from lessons
as being quite SO, and kept my room
for twenty-four hours.
1t was evening when | came ont of
nv solitude, Or just at dusk, and l
felt the house breathless, and deci-
ded to step into the garden for a lit
tie while. Mindful of my sore
throat, I caught up white Shetland
shawl belonging to Pet, and then
fearing, since it was not quite dark,
that | should meet some one who
would see my tear-stained face, l put
on her hat, which lay on chair, and
drew the little mask vail close over
my features.
I knew that Pet had dozen other
hats and wraps which she could wear
if she went out; but / thought l
could hear her at a two hours prac-
tic in the MUSHROOM.
/ wandered the whole length Of
the garden to the arched gate on the
turnpike, and as stood there look
ing into the dewy gloom, man S
figure suddenly came to my side.
"Darling little Pet" murmured
Glyndon Fane's voice, and / could
smell the wine on his breath, "you
did come to meet me like good,
true little girl. My aunt has been
telling stories about me--hasn't she,
Pet? All, 1 know; she has been here
lately; she owes me an illwill, and
never loses an opportunity to back
bite me. Frigid old maid! she's
dreadfully virtuous. But they are
not going to set you against me, Pet,
are theyp
He twined his arms about me with
freedom which no good man uses
except toward his wife. / bent my
head down and made some reply,
i which wasn't very audible, suppose,
for he didn't take much notice, but
commenced talking again.
"But know they are Matching up
plot to take you away from me, my
darling Pet" he continued. "Don't
let them do it. Be my wife, my
precious little wife, at once, and then
all the old maids in Christendom
can do US no harm. In half an hour
we may defy them TO do their worst.
. What do you say, Pet? shall we be
: married at once-to-nightl / came
, in carriage, which is waiting at the
: bend. Let us go and be married at