Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-04-10
HOW ROMANCE CAME.

When Grandfather Ackland died I
stood by his bedside Cousin Rudolph
was on the other. We were quite alone,
for the nurse had been sent away; we
were very sad, for we loved our grand
father dearly. We were waiting 10 hear
something he desired to say to US; and
at last he spoke:
"Rudoiph," he said, "you have not
formed any matrimonial engagements
without my knowledge. l suppose ?"
"No, SIR" answered Rudolph.
"Nor you, Felicia ?" asked my grand
father.
"Oh. no." said I.
81 am glad of that" said he. "Now,
Rudolph, know you admire your
cousin, and that she respects you. It
would rejoice me greatly if you. would
both think over 8 proposition which
now make you. / should like to see
you engaged to each other before / die
have left the property between you,
and that would reunite it. Still, I
would not make that my motive. l be-
lieve you well suited to each other; well
contrasted in physical appearance. with
the qualities to satisfy each other. I
should know that Felicia had prolec-
tor on whom I could rely, and you a
wife TO make you happy. Think it
over, and answer me to morrow"
Neither of Us said anything. Soon we
were sent away but that evening Ru
dolph came to me.
"Felicia," he said, "do you think you
could put up with me?"
Rudolph" | answered, "even to
please grandpa. l can't marry husband
who dnn't love me-"
Ic, enid III
Nolody can help it,"
"And | suppose romance is chiefly
found in plays and novels" said l.
"Real love and friendship are what
people actually have in happy married
life"
"Oh, as to that let Us be romantic,
too" said Rudolph. "You see, being
cousins, we've never thought of it, but
[ should be glad if you could make up
your mind, my dear"
So the next morniDg-I was sixteen
and Rudolph eighteen, remember-we
promised our grandfather to do IS he
wished. We were not TO marry until
I was twenty and Rudolph twenty two.
Meanwhile l was to he under the pro,
lection of an old friend, since had no
| living relative ami we were both to
make tour through Europe. and to
proceed with our education. We made
our grandpa very happy and we wept
in each others arms when he died.
However, my feelings did not alter to
Rudolph. I had always loved bim
dearly, and no special romance connect
ed itself with him. Only think wo.
man always feels pleased to know that
a handsome, admirable young man il
| her very own for life.
| Thus matters were arranged when we
started on our European tour in the
same steamer, under proper chaperon-
age. We did the cities. We saw nature
asseen by other tourists. We looked al
the pictures heard the music; visited
the libraries. We were by NJ means al
| ways together, and it chanced that in
Rome I was introduced to gentleman
young friend of my chaperon's who
was very courteous to me, and offered us
his escort whenever it was needed.
He was a young sculptor, rich, enG
italian by birth, by name Giovann
MoDaldini, but very, very handsome
When had known him a little while
Rome began to have wonderous charms
for me. Places I cared nothing for al
first we invested with glamour of 70
nance spent days in the galleries
| WILL uiAi.lhJ OhSPSiou doiCcp III q Cuaii
near by.
Rudolph declared himself sick of high
art. He spent most of his time at the
house of the father of school friend oi
his, whom he had met by chances
fellow who always had a good cigar anC
plenty OF music. Music was Rudolph,s
fancy just then.
How easily we slipped into places We
| wOuld never have entered willingly
One morning I aEoke in my little
Roman bed, under painted ceiling, anG
with the light falling upon me through
at stained glass window, and suddenly
recognized the truth.
| The romance that had not come tc
me with my engagement to my cousin
but was in love with the sculptor, ano
he with me.
Oh, the bitter shame 1 felt the deer
contrition could only say to myself
II could not help it," and then cry
"weak, wicked creature, how dare you
say that !" And then I knelt down
and prayed for help, and it seemed tt
me that | might pray better in the din
old cathedral go near US and, dressing
myself hastily, I glided out the door
telling no one where was going. There
were few in the church at that early
hour but even as I caressed my owl
grief noticed another more sad than /
Ayoung English looking girl J. dressed
in mourning, and with a tear stained
face. She knelt before certain shrine
hiding her eyes with her hands, and ther
lstarted up. There was strange look il
her eyes. / felt that read its meaning
lShe intended to destroy herself