Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-02-07
she broke her vows of constancy md nc,

letters that no longer possessed any value
to him. He was II man who loved deep
ly, felt kcenly the blow that had fallen
upon his heart but he was proud man,
skandy bore himself bravcly before tho
fworld. Only to one trusted friend, Il
fellow -srtist, who shared his studio, did
he open his heart fully. And the first
result of his ruptured engagement was to
yield to that friends dearest wish, and
promise to accompany him to Italy lie
had studied there for three wears, but
Sidney Allyar,l had never yet crossed the
OCEAN A boyish man, full of cnthusi-
asm, six years younger than Gardiner,
Sidney was notify indignant nj his friends
wrong, not the less SO that he had thrown
his own calf love at Agnes Wnrne's feet,
and been contcmptuously rejected.
lie was sitting in the studio few days
after the interview between Gardiner and
Agnes, engaged in making lists of art-
clcs in grcat open packing-cascs standing
around him, when visitor entered, an
old gentleman of commanding presence
and IN address of formal courtesy.
"Mr. Lawrencc9" the stranger in
quircd.
"Mr. Lawrence is out of town"
"Soon expected back?'
''NOt for several wears He is in New
York, and will sail for Europe on Satur-
day next. But can write or telegraph,
if your business is important"
The stranger was walking about slowly.
looking ut the sketches on the walls, on
tables, and chairs, even upon the floor,
in preparation for packing.
"No," he said, 'if Mr.. Lawrence is
going abroad, he could not paint the por-
trait wished to order You have some
fine paintings here. Your own"
"Somc of them. Some are I.awrcncc's (;
some by our friends. Everything, as you
see, is in confusion
is that yoursl" said the old gentle
man, pointing to a head, most cxqiisitcly
painted, only the head and shoulders of
a beautiful woman, the hair falling loosely,
the large eyes looking drcamily forward
"No. That is Lawrcncc's'
''lt is perfect face DO you think
he would sell it.''
"a week ago would have told you no
money could buy it," Sidney said -,
bitterly, ''but now | have no debut he
will destroy it. 1t is II perfect face, and
it covers black trcachcrous hearth"
''iou interest me. Is the story Il Sc
crct:"
"All the world will know it soon. 1t
Is not n very original story, only the old
one of money against love, with broken
heart thrown in. The lady whose face
you admire has been my friends promised
wife for six months. 4 Weather man
Z Inn LA Inn
yet, the engagement is not public, but it
( will soon be, and then any one in society
can tell you of tho Tilted lover, who has
gone abroad to conquer his sorrow, and
! leave the field clear for his rival"
"Ah! Society then knew of this old
engagement. am stranger here. MY
home is in Washington, and know but
few members Of your society; so had
not heard this interesting story, that you
say will soon bc common gossip
swell, You see, both parties are we'll
known here"
IL see. | regret to have missed seeing
Mr.. Lawrence, but thank you for your
most interesting little narrative Good
morning."
Good morning." said Sidney, return
ing to his lists, and quite ignorant of The
mischief his boyish gossip had caused
Miss Warne, i'll her latest Parsian COS
tumc-a very dream of beauty sit
Ting in her aunts parlor, awaiting the
usual evening visit of her elderly admircr.
Mrs. Pratt her aunt, was talking in Il
( monotonous ripple OF the trousscau al
ready i'll preparation, She bridal tour. the
wedding party with which she intended
10 astonish society; and Agnes listened
in silence, wondering if the rumor She
/ had heard that Gardiner Lawrence wa,
going abroad was true. y ring ut the
door was followed, not by the tall. com
mandin@ figure or John Dclmaync, bat
by Mrs. pratts man servant with Il note
a note opened languidly, but which
stirred tine reader to instant animation
Agnes" she cried, ''listcn. Wha, a
horrible note,
"'MADAM When requisite your permis-
sion To pay my addresses to- Your niece, WAS
totally Ignorant that Shc was already be-
trothed. Looking upon II promise of mar
riayc as quite binding the marriage
vows themselves | am Mortified mt my own
action. beg, madam, tn withdraw my pro-
pnS;ti, with my mos; earnest apologies for
the wholly appropriated insult TO your
niece, Nllp VIII. L tTuSl t}litlOn mo loi my
error. Most sincerely your friend,
'JoHS DELMAYNE.'"
There was moment of profound 81
lence. Then Mrs. Pratt said, with Il
sigh:
GLOW fortunate the engagement has
not been announced. No one need know
of this
There was no answer Agnes seemed
stunned.
Perhaps, under the circumstances, =
Mrs. Pratt said, ''wc had better say
nothing yet of the broken engagement.
Mr.. Lawrence has gone abroad, they say
so there will be no apparent quarrel
''Nor real ONE" cried Agnes. al have
been miserable ever since saw Gardiner
last. | will write to him and end this
wrctched arrangement.
II heard to-day Mrs. Pratt said,
''that his uncle, Charles Gardiner, is i'm