The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-07-28

Clarendon, there was quite f1utter
among not few of the tender young
hearts, and at least score of bright eyes
looked the question, "Who is that hand
some man?"
With his mind concentrated upon the
unknown heiress, Jasper carefully sur
veyed the congregation, and sighed for
some fairy to whisper to him, ''This is
she."
Presently the organ pealed forth, and
a clear, sweet, mezzo-soprano voice sang
an anthem, "Come unto Me all ye that
labor"
Regadless of the place, Surridge
turned to his next neighbor and whis-
pered: "Who is that charming singer p
"Miss Edliffe," was the startling re-
ply:
The directory had already showed him
there was but one family of that name
in the town-s'Mrs Jane Edliffe, II
Willow street: -Acantha Edliffe. school
teacher, II Willow street," evidently
this was the heiress.
"What does she look ike?" was his
next thought. So he turned round and
took good long look at the singer; re-
suming his mental conversation, he said:
MEDIUM height, slender, dark eyes and
hair, good complexion 1ecently though
plainly dressed; she will do!''
To make sure that this was the person
he sought. he discreetly followed her
home, and when he saw her enter II
Willow street, he was satisfied. He
delivered one of his letters of introduc-
ton the next morning, and as soon as
he could he began to rave over the "ex-
quisite voice, the most delightful voice.
he had heard in the church, and inno-
Gently asked the strangers name; then,
finding that his new friend knew her, LIE
begged him to present him to her.
Chuckling at his good luck, he began
to make delicate but assiduous love to
Miss Acantha, and was charmed to find
that she did not repulse him; on the
contrary, after few days she seemed to
give him some little encouragement
not boldly, however, but timidly and
innocently.
Mrs. Edliffe was not so cordial as he
could have wished, but still she was not
actually inimical, and there was no one
else to interfere-at least, no one ol
whom he knew anything.
"Acantha Edliff's conduct is really
disgustingP' whispered the gossips with
in week after Surridge's arrival in
Clarendon. Before this stranger ap-
peared she accepted Hubert Luttrell's
attentions with avidity, but now she
quite ignores him"
"He hasn't been to Willow street
since last Sunday" responded another
gossip, "while this Mr.. Surridge is there
every evening, takes Acantha out fol a
drive every afternoon and sends her
books and flowers every morning."
"Well, he is rich (probably), and
very stylish, while poor Hubert is
neither"
Acanthas conduct in this matter
caused plenty of talk; Luttrell himself
was the only silent one. When some
venturesome person tried to interview
him ON the subject he simply set his
teeth together, and muttered, "Fop!'
But foppery or not Surridge COM
pletely distanced Luttrell in two weeks.
At the expiration of that period he
might have been heard whispering to
Acantha: "Oh, my darling, if you knew
how much I loved you, you would not
be so coy; you would at least try to love
me in returnp
''Perhaps I may try" whispered she,
hesitatingly; but quickly added, ward
ing off a threatened embrace. "But
how can be sure that yon are true!
You have known me so short time"
fourteen long days! After all, what
is time to those who love? The moment
I saw you I knew that you, and you
alone, must be my wife!"
Which was true, but not rs he would
have had Acantha understand it.
s'You have loved before, of course
'Never! never! may have had my
passing fancies, but you are the first
lady whom have wished to marry
"But am poor and insignificant"
as to poverty, do you suppose care fol
! that? We will manage to live, assure
you."
"You know nothing Of my family"
| "Your mother, you say, is your only
| relative. am sure she would grace any
| station"
'Dear mother, I am sure she would
| If should consent TOTO try and like
you, you must promise and not listen K
any nonsense about Mr.. Luttrell. die
love him, really love him, I thought, un
til-until- il"
''My darling! Your sweet confession
has entranced me !''
| ''No, no! I have confessed nothing
Give me until tomorrow to think of it
~ 81 Course Snrr;dge ~ nrom;sed to i,
| o,1,tl,;no Acontho des;red. onJ whom =,
raturned to his hotel that even;ng =,
teleoranbed to his nncle. "
@Goma ot ~ once m The fatos ore ,,ro
,;t;onsn ~ ~ ~ p''
p'SI IT, fo+os oro ,ror,,,;.yr o,,o.
.o snrr;daa raa,;1ad whan co,l;nn ~ =,
W;llow street ha was tod t%at a.an+h.
was So too III w;ih ,ervo,s haoda"ha 90 sa'
80 ~ ..:" NJ a. ~