Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-03-02

to the banks OF tho Mississippi river.
Riding slowly along the levee road are
! two persons--a lady and gentleman upon
horseback. Earnestly they are conversinR
together, and then the maiden draws rein
and rests her gloved hand upon her com
panion's arm.
earl, here you must leave me, and for
ever. IL is hard to give You up. but my
father will never forgive nor forget the
past, not even for my sake, a. dearly as he
loves me. | cannot again meet you. This
morning he discovered our secret meetings
and forbade me ever again 10 see you. and
upon your return home you will find bit
ter letter from him demanding my letters.
You know how dearly | love you, and yet
You know we must part. Goodby, Earl
and that God will protect you will ever be
my prayer"
Az she thus spoke bright diamond tears
rolled down the beautiful face Of Rosa
Vertner and fell upon the roadside Her
companion said
~ will not urge you TO disobey your ia
Their, Rosa. / have ever loved you since A.
a little girl used 10 see you dashing about
upon your pony. When ut the Pass NJ
school loved you more dearly: and how
blessed the kind fate that threw us to
gether, untrammeled by the presence OF
our parents, when you came up the river
year ago upon the steamer Then felt
that you controlled my life's happiness
and dearly have / enjoyed our stolen inter
views Now all Is over and we must part
| will do as your father asks me in his let
ter-return all you have sent me- Rosa
my own darling, goodbye
Thus the lovers parted, and while Rosa
returned 10 her fathers plantation, mile
down the river, Earl Griffith leaped hi
horse into a cotton field that bordered the
river bank and darted away Ia the direc
tion OF bis own home, for death had laid
his own father In the grave and he VIA
master and owner Of the large estate.
Arriving at his door negro messenger
from the Vertner plantation awaited his
arrival and presented him with letter.
Entering his sanctum be broke the seal
and his brow darkened as he read the con
tents.
"For her sake will forbear, and for her
sake will return her letters-every little
memento Of her love; yes all"
A few moments after the ebony messen
ger rode away bearing in his hands a small
package addressed to mr.. Branch Vert
ner. Sunnyside Plantation"
Branch Vertner. was pacing the broad We
randa that encircled his handsome resi-
dence
A stern, naughty man, his brow WIS
darkly clouded and his eyes wore an angry
expression, rs ever and anon he glanced up
aud down the avenue, as II In expectancy.
"Ha, at lasti hope he has not dared to
refuse my demand: II SOL And he
grasped the package held out to him by
the negro boy
Breaking the seal he glanced over the
contents. The frown darkened. when hi.
face suddenly paled. The letters and love
trinkets fell to the door as he exclaimed
'What does this meant"
In his hand he held a long silken curl
I flashing like golden strands in the light o.
the setting sun
! Upon the corner he read;
| Rescued from the waves. Pass Chris
tian, June Is, is-."
One moment he glanced at the card, hi
face changing with the emotions tina
swept over him, and then be called out q
the retreating messenger;
Robert, come herel"
The negro again advanced.
Mount your horse and return at ono
and quickly to the Griffith manor Pre-
sent my best wishes to Mr. Earl Grifitl
and say request the pleasure OF seein,
him Immediately at Sunnyside Planta
ton"
"Yes. sir"
And while the messenger started ava
at full speed Mr.. Vertner continued hi
walk up and down the veranda.
An hour had not passed when Earl Grit
fifth rode up 20 the door, dismounted an'
assembled the broad steps, wearing upOl
his face puzzled expression at his strang
and unexpected summons to Sunnyside.
Advancing toward him. Branch Vertne
extended his hand, while he said in a lrn
voice;
earl Griffith, | never believed that yol
OF one Of your race would ever be invite'
across my threshold. Your package sen
me this evening told me who it was tina
saved my daughters life three years age
hence | bury the Ratchet and offer IN
hand. You are "A noble man. and ! believ
will accept it,"
Thus the feud was settled, all animos
ties buried and the two families united b
the strongest ties, for Earl and Rosa wei
married soon after and all this happines
came about through the romance Of 9Th
Stolen Curl TRUE Flag.