Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-12-08
ERDSTOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. SATURDAY DEC 3

hue, not pleasant to see.
/ Once alone. she went 10 4 foreign cabi-
net that stood in one corner of the apart
ment, and, unlocking the drawer, took
therefrom Il small parcel.
sit seems strange how the folly Of my
I youth yet clings to me in my old age"
she mused, bitterly, turning the package
over in her still white and shapely hands.
- will burn these things. Perhaps
forgetfulness will come the more read
ily," she uttered to herself, Hndoing the
parcel, aud dropping bunch of withered
roses on the desk.
Still, she hesitatcd, thousand memo
ries of bygone time struggling through
her mind, and suspicious moisture dim
ming the brightness of her proud, dark
eyes.
"She would only break his heart, " she
cried at last, impatiently. =" they are CO.
quotes, all-father and daughter alike.
Teddy shall net have his life spoiled by
her-the false daughtcr-of an unworthy
parent"
An instant later and she had flung the
little packet into the CRATE. There was a
sudden light puG and = strong perfume
from the burning roses filled the room.
The parlor door was thrown open. Maj.
Willis" announced the servant. The
room seemed to swim around her, for
moment. She could not have been more
astonishcd to hear Il clap Of thunder from
clear heaven.
\ feeling OF anger brought back her
usual sClf-possesSion.
.'To what am l indebted for this visit,
Major Willis" she asked, with freezing
politeuesS.
"To be frank-yarions causes. | am
here, principally, in behalf of the future
well-Jeing OF our young people, replied
the Major, brayely.
"If you are trying to negotiate mar
riage between those two, you may rs well
know, first rs last, that | shall never con-
sent to it," said Miss Wickersham, iSnor-
ing the fact that her visitor was still
standing, hat in hand, before her.
The Major biz his lip.
He glanced critically at his obdurate
hostess, as she too rose to her full height
and confronted him, her face pale, her
eyes flashing, and her white rinsed iin-
gers tightly clasping the edge Of the old
cabinet he remembered of yOre.
1t was thirty years since he had entered
that house for the last time, rs hc sup
posed. He was young man then, gay
and handsome, and very much in love in
deed with the angry lady before him.
Thirty years. 1t was long time, and yet
how well he remembered even the small
est detail of the room. Nothing was
changed now, he thought with cynical
smile, save himself and the little old lady
who so uugraciously received him. In
consciously the Major fetched deep sigh
II was evident that if Miss WiclIcrshani
had unhappy memories Of the long ago,
the doughty Major also had few that
were not so pleasant as they might have
been.
= ait seems a great pity, sad hO. rOoaiI-
ing himself with an effort, "tlat TWO
voung lives should be made mseraole Dc
crusc oi 2 uIUTU wnim. | called to-day TO
speak to You about the settlements shall
make my daughter OH the occasion OF her
marriage. | am not rich, still she will
have no mean dowry."
owe will not discuss the subject of your
daughters marriage, as it concerns me
not the slightest. have this to say, il
my nephew persists in making Miss willis
his wife, l shall execute a will cutting him
off with 4 paltry dollar. Ny dctcrinina-
ton is Interchangeable"
There was the least little bit Of IN an
grv sparkle in the corner Of the Majors
eye.
"Miss Willis will not marry for money"
said he, quietly shifting his position lit
tie, and resting his elbow or the low mar
tie piece. "My daughters happiness is
my only consideration"
Miss Wickerham noticcd-indeed she
could not well help it-what fine look
ing man the Major was, in spite Of his fifty
years. Her heart throbbed tribe faster
as she thought Of days long gone past.
"But for her dear sake, ," continued the
Major. 81 should not again cross the
threshold of this house, Rebeccah."
''That is like a man." remarked Miss
Wickcrsham, with biting sarcasm, "but |
let il pass. Ny nephew is Of age, and will
undoubtedly do rs he likes in this matter."
The Major leaned little more heavily
on the mantle piece, his elbow in danger
GUS proximity to an old, discolored plaster
bust Of Franklin. lie glanced Mt it caSu-
ally. and then remembered with pnng
the last time he had looked upon it-thirty
years before.
f'I shall be sorry to have Ted lose his
Inheritance for my daughters sake" said
the Major presently, putting his hand to
his eyes as If to shut out the sight of the
room. and the memories it recalled. "But
there seems to be no help for il. This be-
ing the case, perhaps it might be as well
to bring this interview TO close"
Miss Wickersbam bowed stiiily. Cold,
proud, relentless, she stood there waiting
for him to 90.
az might argue as successfully with the
Sphinx" thought he, bringing his hand
down forcibly OIL the mantle piece.
The next instant the plaster cast toppled
over and fell crashing against the old
fashioned brass andirOns, and lay shiYered
in hundred fragments on the floor.
. Miss Wickersham gave little hyster-