The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-04
A"PersOnal."
A DEFECTIVE STORY.

ne nululc Nt my piOicoSioh
brings me in contact with every de-
scription of person. / have formed
through its agency many pleasant
mountaineering, to which my
memory often reverts with pleasure
Some years ago became acquaint-
ed with Mr.. Eorval, a wealthy
who resided in West 14th
street. He was a widower, and the
only persons living with him were
two in number-a niece and an on
ly son.
Mary Norval, his niece, was
beautiful girl, about twenty years OF
age when first became acquainted
with her. She was tall and graceful
in form. Her hair was a dark
brown, and her eyes a heavenly blue
shrouded with long eye-lashes which
gave dreamy expression to her
lovely oval face. Her complexion
was white as the driven snow, and
her form was gracefully rounded.
Her neck and shoulders might have
served for a model for a sculptor,
they were so exquisitcly chiseled.
When she moved it was with that
undulating grace so charming in the
other sex.
Such was Mary Norval when l
first knew her. Had l not been
married and possessed Of the best
wife in the world, she would have
been Just the woman l would have
chosen for wife, for her natural
disposition, the cultivation of her
mind, and the amiability of her
character fully equalled her physic-
al beauty. She had so won upon
her uncle's heart that he loved her
better than he did his own SON.
This, however, might be accounted
for, from the fact that Charles Nor
val was a most dissipated young
man. He had long ago exhausted
his fathers affection for him by a
dissolute life, and was only permit
ted by suflerancc to be an inmate OF
his house.
One day Mr.. George Norval
invited me to dine with him. l
accepted the invitation, and VIC
passed very agreeable hour togcth-
er at the social meal. After dinner
being something of an invalid, my
host excused himself for half an
hour while he went to lie down.
amused myself in the meantime
examining some illustrated works
placed on the drawing room table
The apartment in which was seat
ed was only separated from an ad
joining one by folding-doors.
should have stated that Miss Norva
had also excused herself, under tn
plea of having some letters to write
Left alone to my reflection, I fell in
to a reverie, which suppose ende'
in a doze, for 1 was suddenly awak
ed to consciousness by the sound Q
voices in the adjoining apartment
The evening was somewhat advanC
ed, consequently the noises in til
street had almost entirely ceased
Owing to this fact 1 heard distinc'
ly every word that was said.
was Mr.. Norvals son Charles's voic
that had awakened me.
"Mary, listen to me- he exclain
with a peculiar thick utteranc
which showed that he had bee
drinking "you know l love yol
Yes, dear girl, l adore the ver
ground you walk on. Your beaut
is 50 transcendent that you appei
more like a fairy creature of Il
brain than human being"
"Have done with your sensele
commitments. Charlcs.n returne
Mary, "Why do you persecute n
so? have already made know
my decision to you. 1t is irrevoc
ble."
"Dear girl, do not say that ! o
if you did but know how deep
: your image is engraven ON n
heart My every thought is +
! you, angel-smile on me !"
"Charles, you are intoxicate
IS How dare you address yourself
y me in this manner ?"
,r dearest cousin, l adore you, al
by Heaven, you shall be miner
"I pity your condition, and I b
sir you will leave my presence"
"Never my charming cousin, L
Ii til you say that you love me.
would sell my soul for one kiss FRI
those ruby lips could sit all d
and gaze wonderingly into tn,
glorious orns. Dearest-darli
lovely Mary, be mine, be mine |"
1t was evident, the young N
was working himself into a passi
ate frenzy.
"Mr. Norval, unless you leave
room 1 will call for assistance"
II