Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-03-28

UNCLE ANDREWS LOVE STORY.

on the table, supporting his head on his
hand. Traces of fresh tears were upon
his cheeks, and his eyes were fixed on an
ivory miniature which lay before him
depicting, as | saw by the glimpse which
| caught of it. bright girlish face of
surprising beauty.
had no thought Of intruding on
Uncle Andrews private griefs when l
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 commonly
set down as the distinguishing traits of
old bachelors.
was about to beat a hasty retreat,
when Uncle Andrew stopped me-
Don't go, Charley" he said 81 feel
as though it would do me good to talk a
bit just now"
"Is that the likeness Of a relative p
asked, pointing to the miniature, which
seemed to be the subject of his thoughts.
"No," he answered, "but will tell you
the story, if you care to hear it. think
it would be "a relief to tell it to some one
this evening"
drew up chair in front of Uncle
Andrew, who thus proceeded
lyon may-.fnrm 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
produce.
.'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 single to
leaving his daughter some day the richest
heiress in the land.
Il was happy youth that day when 1
told Alice that loved her, and had done
80 ever since | 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
longing.
1--WE both knew Alice's father too
well to hope for his present sanction of
our union. This was our plan: | would
90 the land Of gold, then newly dis
covered, win fortune, aud return and
proudly claim the hand Of the rich mans
daughter when he would have no right
to spurn my suit as that of a mercenary
adventurer.
"Eor two long years | toilcd in that
wild far-off country, as q man only can
toll when be has some cherished end
in view. | was among the foi tunate
ones, and that at the end of the period
named, had amasscd a sum beyond my
most sanguinc hopes. The time had
come when | need wait no longer. The
days of servitude were over, and now
might claim the prize.
with what impotence l made the
weary journey homeward. Not line
had passed between Alice and myself.
1t was a condition of our compact that
we should hold no communication ill
the time came that we might ask Alices
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. | wished to
be the bearer Of the good news in per-
son.
cat last / set my foot in my native
town. My first greeting. / resolved
should come from Alice. / rather ran
than walked to her house.
"Tell Miss Bond a gentleman wishes
to see her." | said excitedly, to the SER
want who answered my basty ring.
81 fear you cannot see her to-day"
was the response.
"Wby not ~ asked inpatiently.
"Do you not know she is to be mar
ried this morning p returned the SER
want.
married. !" exclaimed, gasping for
breath" married Ito whom T.
40 Mr.. Ellis Wytbe."
ellis Wythc! the william lie had
pretended to be my old friend, and was
the only COMPLIANT Of my love for Alice.
"Not well knowing what / did,
staggered passed the servant and was
soon in the midst Of the gay company TO
whom Mr.. Bond, stiff and stately as
usual, was doing the honors with an air
Of great satisfaction
1.-THE bridegroom and his attendants
stood in little group by themselves.
Inc clergyman was in readiness 10 do