The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
AFTER THIRTY YEARS.


Letter That Never Came.
~ have seen descriptions Of good many
swell weddings" said the colonel from Vir-
ginia to Washington Star reporter, 'but
was present at quiet, simple ceremony
over in Georgetown to-day that was to
those who knew about it genuine ro-
mance--the kind You read of in novels, but
very seldom .un across in real life. I
guess I'm the only person In town besides
the bride and groom and perhaps one other
who knows of the true love story which Gull
minated to-day in the marriage of the Rev.
DR.. j. Henry Davis and Miss Annie A.
Hunter at Christ church. in Georgetown.
by the Rev. DR.. Stewart. This is mo- fairy
tale am going to tell you, for I've just put
the marriage notice in the Star.
Over thirty years ago Annie Hunter was
a pretty, red-cheeked maid, belonging to .
well-known Virginia family. That was be-
fore the war, when the hospitable Virginia
planters kept open house, and whom house
full of guests was an everyday occurrence.
the home of her bosom friend during
Presbyterian convention in the village.
The ministers were scattered about at the
different houses. and among the guests at
tets particular mansion was young the
illogical student who had just passed his
examination for the ministry, and the bril-
liancy of his examination was the talk of
the whole country round about. He was
as handsome as he was bright. He re-
manned long enough to become quite fns-
her friend to be greatly taken with him.
Neither of these facts was known, however,
until later. .
q week or SO after his departure Annie
Hunter received letter from tho young
minister. It was q great surprise TO tbs
girl, for while it did not contain proposal
exactly, 1t was 30 worded as to mean that il
replied to in a similar spirit. It took Miss
Hunter only about two days to realize that
she was really in love with the Handsome
reply. While engaged in the pleasant task
her intimate friend entered Annie's room.
"'Oh. you are writing q letter, Anniar
she said. Well. I'm going to the village
and will mail it for you.'
Never mind said Annie. 7 won't
.'I3ut her friend insisted, and the resulA
was that the fair letter writer sealed her
missive and intrusted it to her friends
care.
''She knew about what day to expect an
answer, and when that day had passed and
no letter came and then months followed
weeks the girl felt much chagrined, but hAr
pride prevented her from telling any ouo of
her trouble. She endeavored to Danish The
memory of her tickle lover. The whole 4
thing was q secret for several years, when =
mutual friend told the disappointed a1rll
that the letter had been DESTROYED by her
bosom companion to whom she had infrost-
ed it. Annie could not and would NOT b. a
lieve it, but when several years later the eamo
false friend prevented what would have
been happy marriage with another sujtor.
she could doubt no longer. She never told
her secret though, and il was only YEAR
afterward that the family knew the etory.
The young minister was called to thliy-
ing city, became prominent and popular.
and in the course of years married. Alf
this Annie Hunter heard from time to tirne.
and could not help thinking what her IA
might have been. She was still yerv 80. !
tractlve, and before she reached middle Nfn 81
received numerous offers OF marriage. Sha
was engaged more than once, but the en-
all came to nothing. She told
me this morning why it was that aha didns1s
marry. She didn't know the reason hae enff =
though until last year. s3
There was Presbyterian convention IN
Winchester then, which was attended by tho
Rev. DR.. Davis, q more than middle-snell
minister. he heard in some vav NM
Annie Hunter was in the neighborhood. and
call to renew an old friendship. Ha ala 8
not find the pretty girl who won hin kssrt
over thirty years ago, but his old love wa
first time that he was widower. and ~
learned for the first time OF m iefSsr AhsA
never came. It didn't take long for them
to come to an understanding. TAey Vers
married to-day"
49, +. 81