South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-01-20


gravely:
sit down, Robert. 1 want to talk
to YOU
Emp Mr.. Van Zandt queried, in
surprise. Whats the matter now p
1t is this unfortunate affair betw cen
Jessie and Young Carew.'
We'll, what OF it 2 he said, short
", frowning with displeasure.
Il am sorry to say Mrs. Van Zandt
observed, taking q crumpled piece of
paper from her pocket, that matters
have gone further than we suspected.
l found this letter in Jessie's pocket
this morning. l will read il to you
and you can judge for yourself of its
significance. 1t begins:
My darlingr
'Bah!' Mr. Van Zandt exclaimed,
in disgust.
Il have viewed the situation,' read
Mrs. Van Zandt, 'in every possible
light, and | do not see any other way
out of our present difficulty than that
which | proposed night before last
We must be married secretlyr
The wretch : sir. Van Zandt
shouted, eXeitcdly, springing out Of
his chair and walking nervously up
and down the room. The impudent
rascal! I'll settle him Married Sc
cretly, indeed For shame, Jessie !
To persist in your infatuntion for
such an unprincipIed adventurer! |
am astouished at your lack Of percep-
ton. The-the-'
i cannot recognize the right ofany
parent Mrs. Van Zandt continued,
while her husband seated himself
again, and beat angry tattoo with his
boot on the foor-'to separate two
lovers whom God himself has created
for each other"
"A fine sentiment, that = shouted
Mr. Van Zandt. why, the man who
writes such heresy as that ought to be
! imprisoned as Il dangerous character.
He strikes q blow at one OF the most
sacred institutions OF society. He is q
vagdbond, Il breeder of terrible falla-
cies And to think that such a man
as that could have WON the love and
confidence Of my daughter 9
1 rely OH your love for me- Mrs.
Van Zandt resumed. The happi-
ness OF my life is in your hands
Meet me at the old place tomorrow
night
She shall not She shall notn crl-
ed Mr.. Van Zandt, eXcitcdIy.
If heaven favors our plans. my
darling concluded Mrs. Van Zandt,
with peculiar smile, i shall claim
you Gs my bride before another week
has passed, l could not endure this
separation much longer. Have pity
ON the misery Of your devoted lover,
Robert Van Zandt.'r
'Eh ? What did you say ? Mr..
Van Zandt said, in dazed way, sit
ting bolt upright in his chair and
staring blankly at the letter which
his wife had thrust into his hands, aud
which be now saw was written on Il
piece oftadcd yellow note paper, bear
ing the date of June 10, 1887
There was 4 step behind him, and
looking up, he saw that 'rattIe-brnin9d
4. hotspur,' Maurice Carew, standing
beside him, with a half.amused, half
concerned expression in his clear gray
eyes
Eth? What the devil does this
mean 2 the poor old gentleman STAN.
/ mercd.
You have been calling yourself all
those hard Names Jessie said, glee-
fully, slipping to the other side of his
chair.
1T is your own letter, Robert, Mrs.
Van Zandt said, tapping the paper he
held IN his hands significantly. You
wrote it 10 me over forty years ago =
DO not forget, papa Jessie's Oldest
sister said, gong down on her knees
before him-'do not forget that you
were young Yourself
And were guilty Of like ofiense,'
Maurice said. boldly. Il love Jessie,
Mr. Van Iaudt, with tho best love of
which my nature is capable. / am
| young, strong and willing to work
for her. | am moi without prospects
IA business, and / am very sure we
could live comfortably ON my present
salary
Poor Mr. Van Zandt looked from
one to the other with IN expression OF
cOmica confusion.
'Eh = he repeated, moving uneasi-
" from one side Of his chair to the
other. Eli hang it, I've put 10y
foot in it pretty deep =
Let the children have their way.
Robert pleaded Mrs Van Zaudt.
gently. Life is too short, and hapui.
ness too uncertain TO be triged with
Please, papa Jessie said, coax.
iugIv
BE generous, sir, Maurice added
IN low tone.
I'm in forit nown Mr. Van Z4nGt
cried, nervousiy. What tho YES
yes! DO a. YOU please Marry 20.
morrow. if YOU like. wash INV