Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-12-12

must tell you something which will
make you weep. A mamie sertain-
ly must be mad; how else can | ac-
count for his want Of business judg-
mentf-wishes me to go to Laurence
county, to advise him about the pur-
chase Of large tract Of land. Flat
tered by his extraordinary apprecia-
ton Of my qualifications as guide, phi
losopher and friend, in a weak mo-
ment / consented to accompany him,
and we start one hour from now, to
be gone at least week. What! are
you shedding no tears? Noble girl!
l am proud Of your courage and spirit
in refusing weakly to yield to your
natural feelings. You encourage me
by your example. /"
Don't be absurd, Ned" l inter
rupted. Are you really going away"
"Yes, really; and it is time / was OF
now, so l must say goodbye. Re-
member our engagement, and don't
flirt with Gregg while I am gone"
Then, before could say word, he
stopped and kissed me on the fore
head, whispered softly, II love you"
and walked swiftly across the lawn.
How my face burned He really
meant it, then; he loved me, and in
moment knew by the glad lightness
OF my heart loved him-dearly, dear
ly.
was not particularly pleased to
know that Kate Wharton would soon
return home. l had never liked her.
She was naughty affected girl, who
greatly overrated her own impor-
tance, as the only daughter OF the
wealthiest man in Grovetown. Two
natures could not be more dissimilar
than hers and Ned's. She and l were
about the same age and had, after a
manner, been friends-that is, she
had kindly patronized me as the child
OF a widow in very moderate circum-
stances, and had received her con-
descension with as good grace as pos
sible. But | had not grisyed when
she left for Boston TO complete her
musical education, and | heard with
more regret than gladness OF her eI-
pected return. And the stranger
whom she was to bring-l wondered
il Ned would like her, and il she were
as charming rs Kate had painted her.
Three days after Ned left my moth
er received telegram informing her
that her only brother was dangerous
ly i'll and begged Der to come to him.
He lived in a distant city; the jour
ney would be long and tiresome one,
but not for moment did my mother
hesitate about undertaking it. OF
course, l was to accompany her.
knew very little about this uncle
OF mine, except that he was an old
bachelor, supposed 10 be wealthy,
and bitter against all womankind, be
cause OF love-disappointment in his
youthful days. | remembered his
having visited us once when | was a
child, and recollected that l liked and
at the same time feared him.
When we reached Aston we found
Uncle John mush better and hopeful
OF recovery.
Il thought l was going to die, Ma
ry,n he said to my mother, "and l
hated the idea OF death without one
OF my kindred near Inc. But, now
that l hope to recover, | am still glad
you and Vivian are here. l have de-
cided to give up business, leave Ais
ton, and, il you will have me, | will
spend the rest OF my days with you" ."
So it was arranged. We were to
stay in Aston until Uncle John got
well enough to wind up his affairs and
set everything in order. His recovery
was slow. We had been with him
three weeks, and it would be at least
two more weeks before we could leave.
The time passed rather dreari!y to
me, for ! was impatient to reach
home.
was disappointed, too; / had eI-
pected letter from Ned, and none
came.
/ heard nothing from Grovttown
until one day l received gossiping
letter from my friend Nellie Curtis.
Among other bits OF news she wrote
this
Kate Wharton came back three
weeks ago; she is more affected than
ever. as you can imagine after her
long stay in Boston. A Miss Lillian
Marks, a very wealthy and stylish
girl-a blonde beauty, too-came
with her. 1t is said that Kate has
set her heart on having Miss Marks
for a sister-in-law, and that Ned Is
falling into her trap very readily and
with the best grace in the world. He
seems quite devoted to the fair
stranger. Somehow always thought
that Ned cared more for you than
anyone else, Vivian; but, as it is re-
ported here that you are engaged to
Mr.. Gregg, l suppose Neds devotion
to Miss Marks will not effect your
spirits.
So that dream was past. know
now why Ned had not written.
was no longer in any hurry to return,
SO. when we were finally ready to
start, and Uncle John proposed that
we should first go to quiet watering
place for a brief soiourn, was re
lieved and pleased with the idea.
We met agreeable people at San
born and spent a pleasant month
Uncle Johns health was completely