Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-09-02
A TRUE LOVE STORY.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

| edrGu.
Many years ago Lord -, nobleman
of England, had occasion to consult Gel
ebrated physician concerning symptoms
which he feared indicated the approach of
pulmonary consumption, which was hered-
| itary in his mothers family. DR.. c.
had special reputation for the cure of lung
diseases, and to his residence the nobleman
was driven toward the close of December
day. 80
| The hour was late, twilight gathered rap
| idly, and the nobleman having been desired
| by the servant to wait until patient, then
consulting DIR. C., should be gone, left
the room without having lit the candles
| Being man of high rank, Lord - was
not half so anxious about his dignity as
though he had been small tradesman.
He attributed the neglect to its true cause,
the forgetfulness of new servant, and
Iquietly remained seated in a chair he had
taken beside the DR.. g desk.
The room was warm and the house quiet,
and the young nobleman had been much
| fatigued that day; therefore he unconscious
ly yielded to the soporfic effect of silence,
warmth and darkness. fell asleep, with his
head against the cushions of the chair.
Two minutes after this had happened a
door at the end of the room opened and a
young girl came in. She was pretty and
plump. Her hair was combed high upon
| her head and had crimson rose in it. Her
sleeves were short, her corsage low, with
other roses pinned in it. She walked on
| high-heeled satin shoes, and carried large
fan. 1t was the doctors only daughter,
dressed for an entertainment, and she had
come to say goodbye to her father before
she left the house.
As she was not aware of the presence of
stranger in the reception-rOom, she fan
cied it was her father who sat asleep in the
great chair before the desk, and ran to his
side at once.
sDear papa" she cried, bending over
him-''dear papa, to think of catching you
mapping. Wake up now and kiss me. for 1
am all ready to CO."
She threw her arms about his neck as she
spoke, and as he lifted his head suddenly,
broad awake, she took her seat upon his
knee.
"You dear papa" she said, pressing her
cheek upon his own, chow lonesome you
seem, all alone in the dark. Kiss me-"
She put her lips to those of the young
man.
"Oh, that is not good kiss, papa" she
said. "Wait until light the candles, and
then you'll be pleased enough to kiss me as
you should, for this is the most becoming
dress ever had in my life. See!'
AS she spoke she sprang to her feet, and
seizing one of the long lamp-lighters that
filled stand on the table, touched it to the
embers in the fireplace, and applied its
flame to the six wax candles on the mantel.
SIS it not becoming? Look close, papa"
she cried; and turning, with sweeping
courtesy, saw before her an unknown young
man. He, for his part, beheld the most
charming woman he had ever met.
She stood, blushing like rose, confused,
ashamed, Mortified. He was confused also,
but he kept his composure. Arising and
bowling low, with the gravest respect in his
manner, he stood in the lady's presence as
courtier might in that of queen. She,
for her part, could only falter:
81 thought it was papa! l am exceeding
ly mortified! L"
81 alone have reason to be mortified" J"
replied the nobleman. 81 who so far for
got myself as to fall asleep, crave your
forgiveness, madam"
The physicians daughter answered only
by low courtesy as she fastened from the
room.
Two minutes after the physician himself
hurried in. He apologized for his long de-
tention, lit more candles, and inquired what
his visitor desired. The result of the con-
versation was that the Eobleman placed
himself under the great physicians care,
and was rapidly restored to health.
Meantime the DOCTORS daughter kept the
secret of her absurd adventure to herself,
cried over it occasionally, and remembered
with bushes how very handsome, modest
and charming the stranger seemed to her.
Finally the doctors ministrations we're
at an end, the last fee received, and the no.
bleman no longer to be considered pa
tient. However, one morning he called
again upon DR.. C..
"You are looking very we'll, my lord, 4"
said the gentleman, as he entered his recep-
tion-room. II cannot fancy that you owe
this visit to any desire to consult me pro-
fessionally.".
"But indeed, you do" replied the young
man, smiling. 1.-THE symptoms are, per
haps, not unpleasant, but they are very Sc
1ious. 1 am convinced that my heart is
gravely affected"
II think 1 can prove that you are mista-
ken," said DR.. G..
Indeed, you cannot" replied the young
nobleman. ''But my heart affection is one
that seldom kills, l believe. In fact, it
makes life better worth having. In fact,
am in love.'
"And you consult me?" queried the ply
sician.
Naturally" replied the young man, ''for
the lady Pm in love with is your daughter,
and l desire your permission to offer her my
addresses
"You surprise me. did not know that
you had ever met my daughter" replied
the physician.
81 have seen Miss c." replied the no.
bleman, "and she has made an indellible
impression on my heart. Unless you dis
approve of me, I shall endeavor to win
her."
"You may have my best wishes, my
lord," replied the physician. ''The decision
rests with my daughter alone"
"Will you introduce me at once?" plead
ed the young man. II have waited many
months for the pleasure. / desired to feel
sure that my life was not in danger before l
wOoed wife. You assure me that it is not,
her?'
The Doctors daughter sat in her little
pri vate parlor.
She wore muslin dress and there was no
rose in her hair; but she was sweet as rose
herself.
AS her father entered, followed by a
stranger, she arose and gave him the form
al courtesy of the day. Then her cheeks
burnt with blushes, her eye fell, and she
seemed ready TO sink through the floor. for
she recognized the man who, in the dark
ness, she had mistaken for her father.
However it was not long before her ad-
mirer restored her self possession, and their
courtship was the briefest possible. The
marriage took place in less than six months
and not until then did DIR. C. learn how
Lord - had first met his daughter.
The union was said to be one of the hap
piest ever known; and the story is often
told by the descendants of the pair who met
by chance in so peculiar manner.
WHY LEE SHOULD BE ELEcTED.-No man
fears that General Lee, if elected to the
governorship, will in any way do discrsdit
| to the state. He is not hot-headed, not gar
rulous, not ''tricky." Well informed, well
balanced. and open as the day, he will