The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-10-08
AS FROM THE DEAD.
A Late Millionaire Tries to Cir
cumvent His Widow.

A Late Millionaire Tries to Cir
cumvent His Widow.
Scene-Retired corner in the reading
room of an aristocratic uptown club
Two elegantly dressed gentlemen are
iisenssintgs wines, cigars and other local
topics.
Mr.. Charley Knickerbocl1er Ia rising
young lawyer)-Where do you keep
yourself after dark, nowadays? Inever
see you at the theaters or in the club
rooms
Mr.. Frank CORTLAND Ia society man)
Between ourselves in the strictest
confidence, devote five evenings Of the
week in calling on a lady whom hope
to lead to the altar one of these fine
days.
Charley with the air Of man who
has been there many a time -Y on don't
tell me so? Amt you rather overriding
occurring business? Now, / am pay
ing addresses to Miss Bondclipper, and
being in society, understand what's
in good form, but it nexer occurs to me
to cali more than twice week. |
really think that's as often as she cares
to see me.
Frank Earnestly That's often
enough when You are counting a young
girl, but the object of my aspirations
is a widow When it comes to court
ing widow, like advertising, you can't
overdo it. know what / am doing
Charley--So She is a widow? II it
is not a leading question ! should like
to ask what is the name of the discon-
ISOLATE female whose bereavement You
are trying to mitigate
Frank The lady in the ease is Mrs.
Van SlyclS. on Fifth avenue.
Charley very much surpriscd)-I
don't wonder at the frequency of your
visits. Old Van Slyclz must have left
her over half million. She is a charm
ing lady. and deserves a good husband
after all she went through with that
old craven image. | always heard She
was badgercd into marrying him by
her mother, whe w as4afteF Ais-meHey.
Frank-Were you acquainted with
my late predecessor-that is, if the
widow does not change her minda
Charlie-I knew him only by sight,
but my old chum, Tommy yanderclaim,
knew the family very we'll, and he told
me all about their marrieddife. Old
Van Slycl1 was more than double his
wife's age, and as ugly as a crazy quilt
lie had falsetto voice and false set
of teeth--no hair on his head and was
bow legged besides. He was insanely
and absurdly jealous Of his handsome
young wife, and made her miserable
During the .Fast1 few months of his
wreteEed life he became morbid and
morose, shut himself up in his study
and refused to allow anybody except
his English valet, Thomas. to come
near him. If his widow was glad when
he died and wants to marry again no.
body can blame her. Has the happy
day been fixed?
Frank with deep sigh No, it has
not, and that is what worries me.
Carrie loves me dearly and has consent
ed to become my wife. but wheneverI
ask her to fix the date she hedges for
some mysterious reason that ! cannot
quite comprehend. She seems to have
some secret trouble on her mind.
Gharlie-Haven't you got any idea
what it is?
Frank-T have vague idea that she
is superstitious and that she imagines
that her late husband visits the prem
ises lie threatened to haunt the house
il She ever married again. Do you be-
-lliese ia-spifitsa
Charlie Slipping his winel-Yes, if
they are old and of the right brand;
hut, putting TESTING aside, the fact that
ghosts never show themselves except
by a dim light and only to one person
!. at a time completely gives them away.
What shape does old Van SlycS take?
Prank can't find out Carrie
that is, MrsgeNan Slyck-does not care
Ito talk much about it.. All | know is
that the dread of being haunted by old
Van SlyGk's ghost prevents her fixing
= ne date for our marriage. Perhaps
.. She is preparing to fire me out of her
affections.
Charlie-I don't think you need en-
terrain any; apprehensions. She is
probably enjoying the sport of playing
her fish before she lands him. Some
day she will rope you in as the widow
Ghadizah did Mohammed. The victim
may struggle against fate, but all at
NV liz sifho lito tuC iiidpttiaoiiot ~
with a huhbliug groan and all is over.
NFrank (ferventlyl--I hope 50.
Charlie-If l were in your place q
Investigate any spiritualistic mani
feStations that materialize. Some rival
OF yours may be putting up little
games on you. Put Inspector Byrnes
on his track Well, have an engage
ment Exit Mr.. Charles Knicker-
bocker,)
Scene III interior of the parlor OF
the Van slyek mansionl-Mr. Frank
Gourtland and Mrs Van Slyck are seen
N earnest conversation.
Frank (despairinglyl- Will you not
tell me, Carrie. why you treat me SO
cruelty? Why did yon encourage me
as you have done, when now you tell
Inc we must part forever?
Carrie ltearfully but tirmly)--l can
MOI marry you, Mr.. CORTLAND. voice
from the tomb forbids 1T
Franlx-A voice, did you say?
Carrie-Not precisely voice, but
letter. / receive letters continually
from my late husband.
Frank Laughing grimly)- suppose
hey come from the dead letter Office
80 he writes, yon letters and you
are correspondingly unhappy. What
wretc'led nonsense! Why tribe With
me in this way?