The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-31
and watching her charming play Of ex.
preston, how happy he believed he


Some weeks ago. one afternoon, my
uncle called me from mending Tommy's
stockings. and told me a friend wished
to see in the drawing room. l, who had
no friends, was much surprised; nor did
this surprise lessen when was presented
to the man who had silenced the crazy
Pole that day In the train. His name
was Mitchell, and he turned out to be an
old friend Of my uncles. Rich as Cree
sus and bachelor, my uncle said tc
me, with a knowing wink, when our
visitor had departed
II took a great dislike to Mr.. Mitchell;
in manner and appearance he was most
repugnant to me. But l thought very
little about him one way or another
why should interest myself in man
older than my fatherl--until, a week
later, Uncle Thomas informed me that
Mr. Mitchell wished to marry me-"
"Preposterous, exclaimed Owen.
II don't often laugh in the presence Of
Uncle Thomas, but when he told me this
laughed heartily. This made my uncle
very angry. Why should | make game
Of the offer of man Of whom | might
be proud? /, who would be in the work
house if it were not for the charity Of my
relations
'The brute'
IF was so silly az not to know on
which side my bread was buttered-it
was often difficult to teil--he would turn
me out Of doors, and that would perhaps
bring me to my senses. But why need
tell YOU the particulars of this and many
another most painful scenel was silent
and undecided for while, and at last
found courage to tell Mr.. Mitchell that
could not marry him.
"He listened with a disagreeable
smile, and replied: My young lady will
not find refusal SO easy as she thinks. ,"
"Owing to rusty conduct on the part
of your amiabIc uncle" interpolated
Owen.
II believed this was his meaning, un-
til the next day. Then my aunt in
married to Mr.. Mitchell"
is that good lady subject TO such fits
Of mental alteration"
Il stared at her in amazement, when she
proceeded 10 explain to me that, according
to Scotch law, if man in the presence Of
q witliess says woman is his wife, and
she does not deny it, it becomes legal
marriage. There was witness in the
train that day-the old lady mentioned
Mr.. Mitchell is Scotch and was deter
mined to have his rights.
Il could not believe aunt was in earn
est, but it seems she was, and what Is
worse, they all beset me every hour III
the day with speeches to the effect that
it is of 10 use to try and escape ms des-
tiny; Mr.. Mitchell has the law on his
side. and the sooner, for appearances
sake, | consent to another marriage cere-
mony in church, the better.
II have asked you to meet me here
this evening, Mr.. Stanley, to tell me
truly if there is any ground for their say
ing | am Mr.. Mtchell's wife"
ut is the most preposterous, cowardly
lie ever heard OFF, exclaimed Owen,
quite boiling over with Indignation. lin
some parts of Scotland, long ago, some
such rubbish as they tell you might be
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
enlighten You. He ought to be exposed
and prosecuted for his villainy."
"Oh, I'm SO glad and thankful you as
sure me that this dreadful man has no
power over mel said Louise, with a
profound sigh of relief.
You poor little friendless thing!' AS
if of its own accord Ovens arm encircled
the girls waist and he tenderly and
reverently kissed her unresisling 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 lodgings, he found two
letters awaiting him, one from Travers,
a 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 this last
at once, and discovered that, after year
and a month. his former friend and ben
efactor, his fathers only brother. was on
the track of the fellow who had commit
ted certain forgery-a crime Of which
Morris RAYMOND, in hot, sudden anger,
had accused his neI4ew. Strong cir
cumstantial evidence against Owen was
not wanting, and thus, suffering for the
misdeed of another, he was thrust out for
a rough struggle with the world.
Now, through the merest chance. the
real culprit had been discovered. and the
letter in Owens trembling hand con-
tanned ample apology for past injustice.
and an earnestly expressed desire that Old
relations be renewed.
LAS you are reinstated with the old
boy''-an extract from Travers' letter
Il suppose we shall soon have you among
US again. hope it will not break your
heart to hear that Nelly Welland has
given you the slip. When she heard OF
your misfortune she transferred her aiiec-
tons to Mortimer"