Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1881-08-27

Will you leu me nave talK WIN
you ?" said Mrs. Carleton addressing her
daughter.
eyes," said Lucy, with the air of q
martyr.
MY child" continued her mother,
"you are now of an age to think of get
ting settled in life. There is gentle
man who calls here very often, and who,
I am certain, loves you very much. 1
can assure you that he fully deserves
your love in return %
Mamma" said Lucy, with set lips
and in a measured, firm voice, "I know
whom you mean, but it is in vain. I do
not love him, and 1 cannot bestow my
hand where 1 cannot also bestow my
heart"
'How?" said the astonished mother,
'cDo you not love-"
"No, no." Lucy interrupted. 81 do
not love him, SO say no more if you
please, mamma"
els it possible that have been SO
much mistaken ?" said Mrs. Carleton,
overcome with embarrassment.
cit is" answered Lucy, "and to be
candid, I love some one else"
"Well, then," said Mrs. Carleton,
holding down her head, and blushing
youthfully, 'T-I want to take this op-
portunity of telling you that am go
ing to be married"
"Married? You? ?" exclaimed Lucy,
as much astonished as if q thunder-bolt
had fallen at her feet.
"And have you not suspected it ?"
asked her mother, smiling shyly. "When
l was young girl, and before l had ex-
perienced the misery of forced mar
riage with your father, loved and was
loved by a young man who was my
fathers secretary. When 1 married,
We parted and he went to India. Some
few weeks ago, while walking down the
beach, I met him, and we recognized
each other at once"
Sand his name is -"
"Dawes," interrupted Mrs. Carleton,
as she arose from the chair, and then
hastily left the room, not hearing Lucy's
call, who wished to explain the mistake
that had occurred few min utes before.
That evening was glorious. Henry
Marsh was sauntering slowly down the
beach toward the hotel, when suddenly
a piece of paper, borne along by the
breeze, whitfield into his face. He has
tily caught it and saw that it was note,
which opening, he read as follows
"MY DEAR Mr.. DAwEs-I have told
her all, SO here is your answer. will
marry you.
"Affectionately your own
'LUoY CARLETON"
Nothing can wound man so deeply
as sighted love OF to know that he has
been trifed with. If Lucy could have
seen Henry's face at that moment she
would indeed have cause for alarms
Unhappy man! at that very instant
he had been on his way to ask her
mothers consent, and now she was 60
ing to marry man whom but a few
hours ago she had declared she did not
love.
Slowly he retraced his way home,
and, reaching there, sat beside the win
dow, his throbbing head resting on his
arm. To all human hearts there comes
a terrible hour of grief. Whilst in full
possession of happiness, Henry had
been so sure of Lucy's affection that he
held it unconcernedly, never dreaming
that it could be taken away. He stood
up, took pen and ink, and wrote to her
the following:
"MIss CARLETON While on my way
to your house this evening, found your
note to Mr.. Dawes. Allow me to return
it, and at the same time to bid you fare
well. HENRY MARSH"
After packing his trunks, he had
them sent to the depot, and after paying
his bills, requested the clerk to forward
the letter was gone.
Lucy was sitting on the veranda when
she received the letter. When she read
it she burst into tears. Just then her
mother came out, and in answer to her
queries, the girl handed the letter to
her.
"Why, what is this ?" exclaimed Mrs.
Carleton, astonished. 81 sent this let
ter to Mr.. Dawes to-day"
eyes," said Lucy, "and unfortunately
Henry found it, and now has gone"
And she again commenced to sob.
"And you love him?" said Mrs.
Carleton. 81 thought you told me this
morning you did not?"
''No, mol" cried Lucy. ut was a
mistake. supposed you were talking
of Mr.. Dawes"
''Is it possible" said Mrs. Carleton,
laughing. 81 will at once write to Mr..
Marsh and explain all. How strange
that he did not know our names were