West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-06-28
The Old Letter.

John GiltOy sat on the porch of his pleas
ant home, looking at the beautiful scene
before him, while the book upon his lap lay
uunOtiCed
For half an hour e had sat motionless,
with that wistful, far-seeing, absorbed gaze
in his blue eyes, while Mrs. Gilfoy had sat
equally motionless watching him
Between them, sleeping softly, lay their
child, yellow haired baby, like to its
father in its Saxon fairness
Presently along the coHntry road near by
sounded the rattle of wheels. and as the
carriage drew near with its one passenger
there came suddenly into hls face "a look as
If those disturbed visions had strangely
taken life
So indeed they had
The woman now almost beside the porch.
was Ella Mason, his Second cousin, with
whom down here at their Aunt Hcttic Ben
sons lac had spent one never-to-be forgotten
summer
He had been thinking Of her as he looked
upon the bay, where three years before,
they had passed so many hours together.
And now at this sudden apparition Of
her, his eyes gathered an awed, startled
look, as at the sight Of one long dead.
For one instant, when the carriage had
rolled in front of the door, Miss Mason sat
regarding the group before her with wide
wild eyes.
Then as John Gilfoy controlled himself
and came forward 10 help her alight, Ella
recovered from her surprise and greeted
him with an easy courtesy.
''What "a surprise to meet you here, Mr..
Gilfoy had no idea auntie was enter
tanning such pleasant guests, said Ella, as
she stepped from the vehicle.
''We only came yesterday" said John.
"Neither my wife nor child have been well
this summer, and | brought them down
here for a change of air. -
Before Ella could reply, footsteps came
rapidly through the hall and Aunt lIettie
hustled forward.
Law sakes Ella, is it really you 2"
81 rather think il is, auntie," returned
Ella, with little laugh getting up to give
her aunt kiss.
"Well, am glad to see you | could
scarcely believe my eyes when John brought
your letter this mornin' sayn' you was
a-goin to stop here on your way Why,
child, it's an age since I've seen your dear
face"
"Only a little age, amtie something
over this baby's here, responded Ell, still
smiling.
''Come to think, pursued her aunt,
together last. You see,n she continued,
looking at Mrs Gilfoy, 81 can't get quite
used to callin' her by the old name. "
Ella gave an almost imperccptible little
shver.
'What a draught there is here, auntie -
'You're warm with travelin', child Sit
down here, away from the door, and get
cool and rested, and Jemima shall bring
you glass Of milk while / get the room
ready for you.
So Ella sat there and talked with her old
time lover and her Old-timc friend
But the conversation was u restrained
one, aud all three felt relieved when the
aunt made her appearance to announce that
the room was ready.
'Jcmimas taken up your valise, and
think you can find your way there without
much trouble, Ella. And ] thought I'd
better give you this, for I'm gcttin' so for
getiul in my old age, she continued, refer
ring 10 an envelope she held in her hand.
"IOu can't think how beat ] was when we
found 10 yesterday mOruin'. You see when
John sent word that he was gOin' to bring
his wife and the baby down here, Jemima
and went 20 work to give Miss ROSES old
room a little extra clean, and what should ]
get from back of the mantcl, but this letter
al about II, as soon as got the chance. "
''Ghanks, aunte, dare say IL is of little
account, responded Ella, lightly, holding
out her hand for the old yellow white en-
yelOpe.
And then as she recognized John GilfDy' IS
well known Chirogapky, her face palcd, her
Ringers tremblcd, and she turned hastily
bat not before she had seen that james face
was as ashy as her own, and her eyes af
lrghed, and had met a glance that was %
revelation
ln her own room, with the sound of his
voice floating in at the open windows. she
read what John Gilfoy had written three
Summers before
Ella, dear Ella, ! am called abruptly
away and though / shall hasten my return
as much as possible, must say now what I
was deferred from finishing last night that
love you beyond aught else Zoe the world
lu two hours Miss Ross will have given You
this Write me, then, by 90 morrow post.
my precious love, That I have read your
eyes Alright, and that your heart is mine,
aud you will give me your life also
JoHN GuFOY'
Hcr eyes dilatcd her beautiful, colorlcss
face grew more and more strangely white,
the sheet huttcred from her ucrvccss fin
GERS He John Gilf0y, the man she had
loved go hopelcssly had cared for her as She
had once dreamed
And, now, she could hear him caressing
his child--anothCf woman's husband
Should she show him the letter-reveal