Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-10-05

"SOme weeks ago, one afternoon,
my uncle called me from mending
TOmmy's stockings, and told me
friend wished to see me in the
drawing room. 1, who had no
friends, was much surprised. Nor
did my surprise lessen when was
presented to the man who had 81
fenced the crazy Pole that day in
the train. His name was Mitchell,
and he turned out to be an old
friend of my uncle's. 'Rich as
Crpsus and a bachelor my uncle
SAID to me, with a knowing wink
when our visitor had departed.
81 took a great dislike to Mr..
Mitchell; in manner and appear
ance he was most repugnant to me.
But | thought very little about
him one way or another - why
should | interest myself in a man
older than my father 2 - until, a
week later, Uncle Thomas informed
me that Mr.. Mitchell wished to
marry me-"
"Preposterous," exclaimed Owen.
81 don't often laugh in the pres
ence of Uncle Thomas, but when
he told me this | laughed heartily.
This made my uncle very angry.
Why should l make game of the
offer of man of whom might be
proud7 l, who might be in the
workhouse if it were not for the
charity of my relations"
"The brute."
"If | was so silly as not to know
on which side my bread was but
tered-it was often difficult to tell
he would turn me ont OF doors,
and that perhaps would bring me
to my senses. But why need 1 tell
you the particulars of this and
many another painful scene? |
was silent and undecided for a
while, and at last found courage to
tell Mr.. Mitchell that | could not
marry him.
ale listened with dlsagreeable
smile, and replied: 'My young
lady will not find refusal so easy
as she thinks.i'
"Owing to the rusty conduct on
the part of your amiable UNCLE"
interpoIated Owen.
81 believed this was his meaning
until the next day. Then my aunt
Informed me calmly that | was
already married to Mr.. Mitchell"
"Ts that good lady subject to
such fits of mental alteration p
81 stared at her in amazement
when she proceeded to explain to
me that, according to Scotch law,
if a man in the presence of a wit
ness says woman is his wife, and
she does not deny It, it becomes
legal marriage. There was wit
ness in the train that day-the old
lady mentioned-Mr. Mitchell ls
Scotch, and was determined to
have his rights.
81 could not believe aunt was in
earnest, but it seems she was, and
what is worse, they all beset me
every hour in the day with speeches
to the effect that it is no use to try
and escape my destiny; MIR.
Mitchell has the law on his side,
aud the sooner, for appearance
sake, cOOsented to another mar
riage ceremony in church, the
better.
81 have asked you to meet me
this evening, Mr.. Stanley, TO tell
me truly if there is any ground for
their saying | am Mr.. MitchelPs
wife ~
alt is the most preposterous,
cowardly lie | ever heard of" ex-
claimed Owen, quite boiling over
with Indignation. "ln some parts
Of Scotland, long ago, some such
rubbish as they tell you might he
true, but we are not in Scotland.
To have this rich mans money in
the family, your reprobate of an
uncle is trying to play upon your
innocent ignorance, knowing or
believing you had no one to en-
tighten you. He ought to be
exposed and prosecuted for his
viliany."
"Oh, Pm so glad and thankful
you assure me that this dreadful
man has no power over mew said
Louise, with a profound sigh of
relief.
"You poor little friendless thing"
AS if of its own accord Ovens arm
, enclrcled the girls waist, and he
! tenderly and reverently kissed her
unressting lips.
"And now | must fly back to the
house. Dear me ! the half hour is
long past"
For heavens sake, don't let them
] persuade you to commit any rash
: folly. Trust in me-" said Owen,
taking another kiss in farewell.
, Arriving at his lodging, he
Z found two letters awaiting him
one from Travers, special chum
in the old luxurious days, and the
other-he could hardly believe his
eyes-from Uncle Raymond.
lie dashed into the perusal OF
l All. iost Of once and diacOvarpd