The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-10-24
debates to me if you have nothing else

a
tents of your brief communication Ii, as
you say, nv features are not altogether re-
pulsive to you, may hope that you will con-
WILIoUGHBY"
Back came the reply the next morn
ing:
'DEAR wrnLoUGHBY: Your reply has made
me feel very happy. 1t is very duh here-no
society except father aud mother. / long for
mora congenial companionship. Thine,
In this delightful manner the days
few on-halcyon days, too, they were
for Willoughby, and sweetened by the
interchange of this and similar lover
like correspondence. On the following
Monday morning Mrs. Vane left town
on visit to some friends in Saratoga,
leaving her son to keep house at home.
The same afternoon one of Captain
Blacks servants brought the following
note for Willoughby:
WILLIE: Have you any objection to my
telling my dear papa all? Matters have now
gone so far that it will be impossible for either
of us to retract what we have written Let
us take papa into our confidence. / know his
kind and generous nature well, and have no
fear that he will oppose our union. Pray send
me line by bearer. EVA"
Inc auHWor was as IOllOWS:
"MY OWN EVA: Do whatever you consider
best. My fate is in your hands, If your papa
should refuse his consent, T.. But will
not think of anything so dreadful. Fear not
that l shall ever retract Life without you
would be desert, with no oasis to brighten
1t. Yours until death.
''WILLoUGHBY."
That evening, just as Willoughby had
finished dinner, he heard loud double
knock at the street door, and on its being
opened strange voice inquired in a
loud tone:
els Mr.. Willoughby Vane at homeP
His heart beat violently as Jane, enter
ing the room, said:.
"a gentleman wishes to speak with
you in the library, SIR
And she handed him card, inscribed
Captain Choker Black, One Thou
sand and First Regiment, N. G. S. N.
Y"
/ will be with him in moment" said
Willoughby; and he swallowed cou-
pie of glasses of sherry to nerve him for
the interview
Captain Choker Black, believer"
he said, as he entered the library.
"Your servant, SIR said the gallant
Captain, who, glass in eye, was busily
engaged in scrutinizing an engraving of
the Battle of Gettysburg. ''Your SER
want, sir. Have [ the pleasure OF adj
dressing Mr.. Willoughby Vane?"
Willoughby bowed.
"Then, sir, of course you know the
business that has brought me here?'
Terribly nervous and scarcely know
ing what answer to make, our hero
bowed again.
"Come, come, sir, don't be afraid to
speak out! My daughter has made
me her confidant, so let there be no
reserve between US. Eva has told me
allr'
Here poor Willoughby blushed up to
the roots of his hair.
/ ''You see, know all about it. You have
fallen desperately in love with the poor
girl; and although you have never ex-
changed three words together, you are
already engaged to be married. Mighty
expeditions, upon my word! Hal ha!
hal Pray, excuse me for laughing,
but the idea is somewhat comical! Ha!
ha! ha''
AS the Captain appeared TO be in a
very good humor, Willoughby' courage
began to rise.
"Don't mention it, sir. You are her
father, and have a right to do what you
please. But [ sincerely trust that you
have no objections to Offer"
'IP None! Believe me, l shall be
delighted to see my Eva comfortably
settled. But, bark we, sir. Business is
business. am plain, blunt man, and
fifteen years sojourn with ones regi-
ment on the plains doesn't help to polish
one. First of all, what are your pros
pects?"
And the Captain drew a note book
out of his pocket and proceeded to ex-
anime our hero as if he was in court
of justice.
''You are an only son, believer.
al am"
Good" And down went the note IN
the pocket-book.
''Your age?"
"Twenty-eight next birthday"
''Twenty-eight! Good. Is your con-
stitution healthyP"
81 believe so. L have had the measles,
whooping-cough and mumps"
Disorders peculiar q infancy.
Good" And the Captain scrubbed
away again.
Are you engaged in any business Oh
professionp"
''None."
'Then how on earth do you live?"
"On my private income, Captain.''
'Then all [ can say is you're an I'M
commonly lucky fellow to be able to
subsist on that. | only wish l could.
What is your incomeP"
'About four thousand a year."
els it in house property, shares in
limited companies, orin Governments? p
If in public companies, I should be
sorry to give two years purchase for
the lot y
In the new four per cents
Good. I think may say very good.
What sort of temper are you?''
''Well, that's rather difficult cues
ton to answer" said Willoughby, smil-
ing for the first time.
Hang it, sir, not at allr' returned
the Captain. ''lf any one asked me
my temper, should say: 'Hasty, sir,
confoupdedly hastyn And Chokel
Blacks proud of it, sir-proud of it''
Say about the average" answered
Willoughby, timidly.
Temper average" sad the Captain,
| jotting it down. II think these are
about all the questions [ have to ask
you. You know my daughter by
sightp"
Il have had the pleasure of seeing
her frequently-from the window, sir. :
And you think you could be happy
with herP"
Think, Captain! 1 am certain OF
it."
every good. Now, bark ye, Mr..
Willoughby Vane. Marry her. treat
her well and be happy. Neglect her,
blight her young affections by harsh.
ness or cruelty, and hang me, sir, if
don't riddle you with bullets! Cad, sir
I'm g man of my word, and I'll dc
what | say as sure as my names Chokel
Black"
81 have no fear on that score, Cap
tain. Unite her to me, and if q life O
! devotion"