Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-10-23

"Well o. quoth old Barnabas,
fixing an inquiring eye on his
nephew.
"Uncle," cried the young man,
enthusiastically, "she is an an
GEL"
"I'll have to look at her before
/ make up my mind on the sub
ject," said Uncle Barnabas.
He was taken TO call on Miss
Vail and like most other gentle
men he went down at the first
sparkle of her liquid eyes.
by Jupiter, Allan. you're
right.' said Uncle Barnabas.
"She is the prettiest girl l ever
saw in all my life."
So the gay season wen. on. The
clash of the viols, comets and
trombones made musical answer
to the diapason of the waves; grim
old dowagers played cards; batter
ed beaux smoked their cigars and
strove to rejuvenate themselves
once more in the fragrance of the
sea-air; pretty girls firted; hand
some cavaliers held fans and bou-
quets, and newspaper correspond
ents invented all kinds of facts for
the New York and Philadelphia
press. And as time went by a
rumor gained credence to the
effect that Uncle Barnabas was
ousting his nephew from the af-
fections of the beautiful Miss
Vail.
"There ~ said Mrs. Vail, her
witch-like countenance assuming
a radiant expression. Here it is
in black and white. An offer of
marriage My dear, you'll be
the richest woman south of Mason
and Dixon's line"
Adrienne, in a lovely disha-
billie of white cashmere, an d
rose-pink ribbons, sat looking at
the letter, with something of dis
may upon her countenance.
write and accept him at once,'
urged Mrs Vail.
"What! that old MANI"
"Old man !" screamed Mrs.
Vail. "The richest planter in
Louisiana. Why. child, every
diamond that he wears is for
tune in ITSELF"
"But l don't love him." plead
ed the girl in low voice.
"Love-bah 7" screeched the
old lady, what does love amount
to? A little sugar and honey,
few sweetmeats and starvation for
the rest of your life. l made a
love-match and see what drudg-
ing career mine has been. Adri-
enne don't be a fool You will
never have such another chance as
this"
Still Adrienne hesitated.
Mama" she said 81 am en-
gagged to Allan, and-I love him.
And I will be his wife!'
"But child, don't you see what
ruin will be upon u.s." breathless-
ly cried Mrs. Vail. "Alan hasn't
penny of his own, and if he Of
fends his uncle"
HE can work for a living ma"
like other men.
work work for a living !"
snarled the old lady, displaying
set of yellow teeth that would
have done credit to a hyena. "And
you live in fiat, and do up your
own laces in the wash-bowl to
save the laundress' bill, and turn
your own silk dresses, and darn
your husband g stocking, to Tighten
xpenses-you, that have the
chance to button your gown with
diamonds, and live in a palace ~
Mamma - cried Adrienne,
what would life in a palace be
worth without the man you love?
| won't marry old Brabazon, and
| will marry Allen, if l have to
live il barracks with him, or ride
around the world in baggage
wagon!'
And this was the end of Miss
Wallis 'mercenary' career. She
wrote resolute little note to Mr..
BrabaZon, while her mother in
dulged in a good, old-fashioned
fit of Mysteries. The note was
worded as follows:
II like you very much. but /
loved Allan long before / ever
saw you, and / don't think / can
be happy with any one but Allan;
so, if you please, Mr.. BrabaZon,
| must decline your kind offer.
And pray-pray, don't be any
more angry with me than you
can help"
Mr.. Brrbazon read the little,
tear-stained note, and folding it
up, grimly went across to the
hotel where he was staying.
"Well lad" said he, Il have of
fered myself-myself, mind, the
richest man in Louisiana-to
Adrienne Vail"
"Uncle !"
Allan started to his feet, turn
inc ALTERNATELY red and male