Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-12-10
MISCELLANEOUS.
His Lost Love; or for a Broth
er's Sake.


''Ill tell you why never married." said
Tom Lennox to his friend, Doctor Matthews.
81 was desperately in love since have been
away, but was treacherously betrayed"
friend. ifc1S
"Well, you see, was on visit to Frank
Harding's house and there met for the first
time his sister Nell. 1t was a case of love from
the start aud was fool enough to believe that
she shared 1t. One night after VIC had been
betrothed for week Mr.. Harding gave an ell
cgant ball. 1 had been dancing with Nell all
the evening aud surrendered her to partner
while went out on the lawn to cool OF. 1
had not been there more than ten minutes
when / heard her voice. looked through the
bushes and saw her talking to man. and then
he stopped and with words of endcarmeut
kissed her on the mouth. fed from the
scene, and the next day found an excuse to
leave the Hardings, after writing to Nell that
had discovered her perfdy. That was six
years ago and have never laid eyes on her
since. !" and he sighed and looked in the fire.
''Pshaw! Don't give way" the doctor cried
cheerIly. "Come around to our house to-
hight, there's young friend of my wife's
want you to meet"
Tom could not refuse the Invitation very
well, SO about nine in the evening he found
himself in the Matthews hospitabIe parlors.
The doctor came forward to welcome him
and introduce his wife, who made some pretty
speech about any friend of her husbands be-
ing more thar welcome.
ALLOW mo to present yon to my friend. Mas
Harding, Mr.. Lennox. Mr.. Lennox, Miss
Harding said Mrs. Matthews.
And, turning, Tom was confronted by none
other than his old sweet heart Nell, who return
ed his rather stiff bow witha slight inclination
of the head.
Her surprise at meeting him seemed quite as
great as his own.
After he had time to observe her he noticed
that she was greatly changed; she looked pale
and thin, and Doubtless her mourning dress
accounted for the sad face.
Tom felt all of his old love returning as he
looked at her, SO changed from the bright Nell
of other days.
Presently their hostess asked Miss Harding
to sing and as she arofe To obey Mrs Matthew
turned to Tom and said:
at seems nice to have Nell with me. We
used to be room-mates and fust friends at
boarding-school, but s6mehow lost sight Of
her until, about month ago. found hor
teaching in the family of fricrd of mine
She looked wretched and after much persua-
sion on my part induced her to give up her
| situation and spend a month or two with me
in order to recruit. Her PEOPLE were formerly
quite wealthy, but the eldest son, after plung-
ing his father in debt completed the list of his
enormities by forging a check for a large
amount and then quitting the country. The
disgrace killed his mother. and old Mr.. Hard
ing followed soon after, and as Frank had
married and settled in distant State Nell was
left alone. She was devotedly attached to
that scamp of a brother of hers, and used often
to meet him in the gEotnds after her father
had forbidden him the house. But ought to
apologize for telling you all this, Mr. Lennox,
as it cannot interest you.''
Pray don t apologize, my dear Mrs. Mat
thews; have been greatly interested in the
story. was personally acquainted with Mr..
and Mrs. Harding"
Indeed! was not aware that you were a
friend"
1t is needless to say that Tom had listened
with breathless interest to the recital. 1t was
all explained now. How he cursed his mad
folly for having so misjudged her It twas her
brother whom she had met that mRht at the
river idiot that he was not to think of 1t be-
fore. Oh, If she could ever forgive him!
At this juncture he discovered that he and
Nell were the only occupants of the room, and
walking over to the piano. he said:
Nell, my darling, can you ever forgive mel
shall never forgive myself"
| And then he told her of the scene he had
witnessed on the night of his departure from
her former home. and of all he had suffered
in believing her false.
Her only reply, when he had finished. wa
to place her hand in his, and, as he clasped
her in his arms. he said
''SeIl, promise me that you win marry m,
in week, or I am afraid that 1 shall lose you
agains'"
''You don't deserve ii; but 1 may promise t.
consider the matter" said Nell
The important question was finally decided
and in 3 few days special license was OBJ
tanned. aud a quiet wedding breakfast tool
place at DR.. Matthew'S house; and IN ali the
world think you win not find happier con
pie than Nell and Tom. Their sky Is all the
brighter for the brief storm that for time
obscured its bri1liancy.
There was man of our town and he was won