The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-29
lwristsn for the Indianapolis Sentinel.
META WOODRUFF.
by Mrs. Addis Deitch Frank.

opened, We heard ennoanced the name OF
Eugene Hay. Mr.. Woodruff told the ser
want to show him up stairs, as he was not
able TO 90 down. He felt very tired from the
effects Of q walk be had taken through
part of the house before dinner and was OBJ
liged to lie down and rest Meta rose to
leave the room, bat her father took her hand
and detained her.
Stay, my child, you need not feel timid
az meeting one who has so cruelty wronged
you. Be brave and let MIN see how little
You care for him."
Little did that kind father think, that at
that very moment his only child loved this
man better than any one on earth, except
him self; that her heart grew faint at the
thought OF meeting Eugene Hay. face to
face again, knowing that be could never be
more to her than he was now.
Before Meta had time to reply, the door
opened and Eugene Hay entered. He
seemed greatly embarrassed, bat stepped to
the bedside, and shook Mr.. Woodrufs hand
warmly. WHAT was be to do next? He felt
like taking that other person, who stood 80
near him, in his arms and kissing her lovely
lips ss he had done when he left her to GO
far away across the wide ocean. But things
were so different now.
Miss Woodruff, may have the pleasure
of once more shaking hands with you2' he
asked, extending his hand.
Certainly sir. II you wish it," she an
swered in q firm voice.
Oh how gladly would she have allowed
him TO take her in his arms and embrace her
as be had done on that memorable day when
DE left her with tears IN her eyes at parting
II they were to each other what they were
then. But he was everything to her then,
now, nothing.
II read about your trouble in this morn
ing's Times, and came at once to see you.
You had very narrow escape from death, !"
Eugene said.
Had it not been for my daughter, it
would all have been over long ago."
'She is. without doubt the most true
and devoted daughter; have ever met"
So you have changed your mind in re-
gard 10 her character
I have, so far as you sre concerned; but
as regards myself. still believe she deceived
me-" answered Eugene.
What DO you mean, Eugene Hay?" asked
Meta Indignantly.
when / left you, on going abroad you
promised 10 be my wife. Have you forgot
len that, Miss Woodruff
How could forget such an important
event 10 my life, yet most unhappy one?"
'You promised to remain true to me,
come What would"
land did you find me wanting in any
thirg? Did not do as had promised
'how can you ask that. when month after
MOI to passed by and did not receive let
ter from you?"
You need not try 10 excuse yourself by
accusing me OF being false to my promise.
IL was you VINO cast me aside; yes, cast me
aside for your beautiful cousin. You well
remember our agreement, made before you
sailed for Europe, that, n case either one Of
Us failed TO write for three weeks, the other
would know that he or she was free; but
refused TO scknowl ledge the sgreement for
knew that my heart would never change"
~ was in that you deceived me, for in
stead OF my heart changing, it was yours"
returned Eugene.
Say what you will, know the truth
Week after week and month after month
Iassed BY and / received no answer to the
letters which l never failed to write until
Mr.. Braden told me OF your approaching
marriage. ! now demand the return of those
letters" she said, her voice never fsltering.
Meta, you are mad you know not what
you say" he exclaimed.
Ask papa how / watched and waited for
stter from you. / loved you, God alone
knows how well, and could not bear to even
think Of giving you up"
Yet you did, OF your own free will"
You are nothing TO me now. but l will
not rest under such an Insult. Here is papa
he can testify in my behalf
Mr.. Hay; my daughter speaks nothing
but the truth. She wrote several Letters to
you after 1 returned from Europe and has
never re ceIyed answer to either OF the IN.
Bet yOuI f0rsakiDg her shall not make her
unhappy II God spares my life, | shall
stend the remsin jer of my days in promot-
ing her happiness"
There has undoubtedly been some great
mistake made somewhere; for / swear to
you tbst lot until months had passed did
cease to write to you, and it was not until
had given up all hope of ever hearing from
YOU again that l consented % my fathers
wish of marrying my cousin. There IS no
love between Us. bnt | shall do ali in my
power TO make her happy. She is noble
gil, and deserves it. One word from you
would free her and make us both happy
Here, before your father, will tell you of
my great unchangiDg love for you"
"hov dare you speak thus 10 my daugh-
teri" interrupted Mr. Woodruf.
Because 10y whole hfe's happiness is at
stAke-perhsps hers also. Mr. Woodruff al
lew your daughtsr to speak for herself. Meta.
30 yOu yet love me?'
"You once said. in the presence of Madam
Reek, mat Meta Woodruff had deceived you.
You believed that was false TO everyone.
Even though it we're death TO separate from
you, | would say | can not bs your wife.
The man l consent to marry must have i'm
piicit faith in me, as l would expect to have
IN bin. That YOU have not"
i have now, Meta; my faith grows with
every word you utter" replied Eugene.
DO not urge me farther, Tor l can never
be more 10 you than am nov. You will
oHlige me by returning my letters together
with all the little presents may have given
YOU. at cncs y
Your letters are few, but you shall have
them; and
Here the conversation was interrupted by
the report OF a revolver, quickly followed by
second report Flo came rushing into the
room greatly excited. and told the following
story:
Mr. Bradsn had come no stairs to visit
Ole Mason, and Jack had asked Flo to tax