The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-20


Unfortunate, thrice unfortunate man
that was
Gabricllc-gay, artlcss and confiding,
though Il triflc shy-gavc me her hand
dcmuroly, as she said:
"How do you do, Cousin Georgc2"
My face must have betrayed nv con-
fusion us took her hand, and looked
searchingly for some sign of dissimula-
ton in her soft eyes Had she found
the letters, had she read them? To tell
the truth, Nine. Blanc had loved me
ardcntly, and had been so imprudcnt rs
to express her sentiments in writing,
running the gamut of ais and ohs,with
plentiful exclamation points attached
thereto. And suppose little Gabrielle
had read them - blushcd at the
thought
But quito calmly she said: "Ifow do
you do, Cousin Georgc?''-that was all.
and in my great palm lay n soft, cool.
maiden]y little hand
All, but what abyss Is deeper than q
woman's heart, as the psnlmist says;
suppose she had read the letters! The
only way to make sure was to 90 into
the room and look for them. Gabriclles
room! What sweet melody in the words,
y ~ a 1SHo eiihe OthiS0 1OC CuCCT Jn1C
sanctuary, although 1 had known my
cousin since she was q child.
Como. George, and sec how prcttily 1
have arranged your ROOM" she said,
suddenly.
JOY, bliss, ccstacy filled mo us she
spoke. l was saved Innocence had
come to the rescue of dcpravity!
Lightly and gracefully sho run up the
staircase. What pretty figure she
had! followed her like u culprit, feel
ing almost afraid to go; but yet must
at all hazards get my letters
My former room was perfectly charm
Ing, deckcd out in blue and white, with
no odor of cigars anywhere The little
bed was modestly draped with snowy
curtains which looked like the wings of
guardian angels looked around nnx-
iously for the old chiffonier. There it
stood as usual
May have some water Cousin Ga
briclle3 am dying of thirst" said.
She took up the carafe, but 1, artful
demon, had already observed that it
was empty.
"Wnit q minute; 1 willg you some.
she said, and left the room
rushed to the chiffonicr and opened
the drawer. uorrorl it was empty.
Tho next instant my cousin returned,
gave me glass of water, then showed
me hor album, and we talked merrily,
just as we used to do when we were
play-fcllows-
But where were my letters? Had she
found them and hidden them away, or
had she burned them2 My head seemed
to swim rs wondered.
AS soon us could think of O pretext,
left Gabrielle, and in the hallway I
met my aunt, her mother. She greeted
Inc joyfully, then shook her finger at
me in u mysterious way. and in very
knowing air whispered
Come with me, you naughty, care
less boy" l followed her into her own
room, where she opened drawer, saw
ing meanwhile:
when we first arrived here, it fortu-
natcly occurred to me that before put
ting young lady into bachelor's
room 1t would be we'll for me to look
about it u little l have had some ex-
perience of young men and their
ways" Here She put package into
my hand Heavens and earth-my let
tcrsI
threw my arms around my aunt's
neck, kissed her rnpturously, and con-
fessed everything.
week passed. One morning. when
got up, l found tiny piece of paper
lying on the floor, rs if it had been
slipped under my door. picked it up;
it was n letter.
What does this mean2" thought.
and then l unfoldcd it and read:
DEAR COUSIN: Why do you not tell mamma
all about IT."
"41H about at?" What does she mean?
''Dcar Cousin" it is from Gabricllel
l did not understand it Mt all, and
waited anSiously for the breakfast
hour. When l heard my cousin go
downstairs, darted out and was going
to speak to her, but she blushctl, turned
her face away, and, putting n piece of
paper into my hand, said hurricdly:
Take back your letter and speak to
mamma"
My tateri l rushed out into the
garden and read the missivc. Thunde-
uiiu iighJning! IL was my writing, nv
style, my namo.
Vow are adorable, therefore adore YOU
VIII you listen 10 me: Win you lot mo devote
my life TO you? word from you, and throw
myself ut your feet GEORGE"
1t was, indeed, my lcttcr-it was
number one of my effusions to the cx-
queen of my heart. 1t had slipped out
OF the package of letters, and Gabrielle,
finding it in the chiffonier, thought
that had placed it there for her, and
her answer was: Speak to mamma"
The result of the accident was: / spoke
to mamma, and married Gabrielle;
l adore her, and am the happiest hus-
band in tho world.
The christening will take place next