Daily globe., 1879-10-05
Uncle Andrews Romance.

Uncle Andrew sat lea ming his elbows
on the table, supporting his head on his
hand. Traces of fresh tears were upon
his cheeks, and his eyes were fixed on the
ivory miniature which lay before him,
depicting, as saw by the glimpse which
l caught of it, bright girlish face of
surprising beauty.
l had no thought of intruding on
Uncle Andrews private griets when I
entered his room without warning. In
deed never suspected that he had any
griefs, he was so cheerful and pleasant,
and so free from the crustiness common
ly set down as the distinguished traits of
old bachelors.
l was about to beat hasty retreat,
when Uncle Andrew stopped me.
"Don't go, Charlie" he said, II feel as
though it would do me good to talk bit
just now"
''Is that the likeness of relative?" I
asked, pointing to the miniature, which
seemed to be the subject of his thought.
"No he answered but 1 will tell you
the story, if you care to here it. I think
it would be relief to tell some one this
evening""
drew up a chair in front of Uncle
Andrew, who thus proceeded.
"YOu may form some conception Of
how beautiful Alice Bond was from the
picture you see there, though the reality
was far beyond the power of any artist to
reproduce.
"She was delicate and tender flower.
A hereditary tendency to heart disease
her mother had died suddenly from that
cause-gave her friends much anxiety in
her earlier years, but the doctors gave
encouragement that she would outgrow
it In time, and Mr.. Bond went on making
! money as usual, with an eye to leaving
his daughter some day, the richest heir
ess in the land.
II was happy youth that day when
told Alice that I loved her and had done
SO ever since 1 knew the meaning of the
word, and she leaned her darling head
on my shoulder and whispered back the
precious answer that satisfied my hearts
longings. ...,- - ...
"We both knew Alice's father too we'll
to hope for his present sanction to our
union. This was our plan: / would 90
to the land of gold, then newly discover
ed, win fortune, and return and claim
the hand of the rich mans daughter when
he would have no right to scorn my suit
| as that of a mercenary adventurer.
'For two long years I toiled in that
wild, far-otf country, as a man only can
toll when he has some cherished end in
| view. I was among the fortunate ones,
and at the end Of the period named had
amassed a sum beyond my most sanguine
wait no longer. The days Of servitude
were over, and I might now claim the
prize.
'Wlth what impatience I made the
weary journey homeward. Not line
had passed between Alice and myself. 1t
was condition of our compact that we
should hold no communication till the
time came that we might ask Alice's
father for his approval. The self.im-
posed restriction had been faithfully OBJ
served. did not even write to tell Alice
of my good success. I wished to be
bearer Of the good news in person.
"At last Isct foot in my native town.
My first greeting, resolved, should
come from Alice. I rather ran than
walked to her house. ...... .... ..
''Tell Miss Bond gentleman wishes
to see her, I said, excitedly, to servant
who answered my hasty ring.
"sI fear you cannot see her to-day,
was the response.
"'Why note asked, impatiently.
s'Do you not know she is to be mar.
ried this morning?" returned the servant
''Mar1ied?' said, gasping for breath
"Married to whom?"
s'To Mr.. Ellis Wythe."
"Ellis Wythe! the william! He had
pretended to be my friend, and was the
only confdente of my love for Alice.
"Not we'll knowing what did, I stag.
gered past the servant and was soon in
the midst of the gay company to whom
Mr.. Bond, stiff and stately as usual. was
dong the honors with an air Of great sat
isfaction.
"The bridegroom and his attendants
stood in little group by themselves.
A clergyman was in readiness to do his
Office. They seemed to be only waiting
for the bride.
+. advanced and confronted Ellis Wythe
Heaven knows whet I would have said
or done, for was IN no reasonable mood
IL IL - L -