Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-02-07
ERNEsI DEsM0NDlSP PL0T

round about, He could see Walnut
Ridge in the distance and the river
winding down the valley towards the
lowlands; he caught the first and last
look at the sun, bresthed the purest at
mosphere and revealed in conscious
ness of a personal preeninence over all
his fellow creatures.
His grandfather had laid the founda-
tions of the Desmond fotune. his father
had increased it to an enormous extent,
and dying left a successor in hls son
Ernest who combined with the Desmond
taste for money making his mothers
oyerpowering ambition and strength of
will.
He looked long way ahead. laid
plans accordingly, and then went for
ward to the plishment of his de-
signs, unconscious of obstacles, and
many man found out to his cost what
it meant to cross him.
Hewas not thirty-five, and for the
FIRST time in his life acknowledged to
his innersoul, with which he often held
prolonged consult ltations, that he wGs in
love,
Whether Annie Wilbur was quite fit
to be Desmond had been question of
long speculation. The doubt, however,
was suddenly removed when, on going
out of town for a few weeks, he had be-
come the guest of friend with whom
Miss Wilbur at the time also stood in
the same relation. he fell madly in love
and henceforth was frequent caller at
her home.
He made no haste with his wooing,
for he had no doubt of his acceptability.
and if tremor of uncertainty ever did
fash over him it was quieted in an in
slant by his indomitable will. The idea
that she might reject him, Ernest Des-
mond, esq, the richest and most influ-
entail man in all the country around,
was too ridiculous for moments toll
Grafton
One day he resolved to purchase a
strip of the Barstow estate lying along
the river and erect mill thereon, for he
realized that there was sufficient water
power, if dam were built, to turn a
large amount of machinery.
Young Arthur Barstow was just
emerging from his minority, and IN q
few weeks would have control of the
property. Barstow is young and can
make good bargain out of him if am
careful, I" Desmond soliloquized as he
drove down the hill through the village
to the Barstow place on the outer edge
of the little town.
he found Arthur at home, and after a
few pleasant remarks cautiously inquired
about the property.
Am going to build mill, . said Ar
thur. Its fine location, and had not
the property been tied up we would have
had one long ago.
It viii take considerable money,
won't it2' asked Desmond, without
evincing his vexation.
Yes. said Arthur, " but my uncle
will advance half and when the mill gets
to going it viii soon pay for itself. "
After some further conversation, Des.
mond confessed that he thought it apos
site for mill and asked what he would
take for the land. Arthur did not wish
to sell. Desmond made an offer, then
increased it, but Arthur would not sell.
I'll have the place yet, !" he said to
himself as he drove away. It'n only
cause little bother"
He tried the uncle, whose one great
failing was covetousness. Whether
Desmond passed any money into the
uncle's Golfers or not is uncertain, but al
any rate the uncle abandoned the scheme
and young Barstow was left without the
means of building the mill.
Desmond made an astonishing ofPel
and awaited developments. Everybody
thought Barstow foolish for not accept
ing, but he had the idea of a mill in his
mind and somehow or other it should
be built in spite of Desmond, who he
suspected had something to do with his
uncle's abandonment of the enterprise
He began correspondence with men
outside of Arbordale, and the result was
that one day man appeared from the
East, looked over the ground and went
away, but from that time preparations
were made for the erection of dam and
a mill.
Desmond was enraged, for throughout
the whole transaction he had not beer
consulted. BE knew that in the cours.
| of time the owner of the mill site would
be man Of power in that section of tn,
country. but that any one but himseli
should have the honor and reward o
building Arbordale into city aroused
ali his antagonism.
His love for Annie Wilbur, however
increased day and night. and at last b,
resolved to propose; so he wandered owe
to the Wilbur House and invited Mis-
Annie for walk. They sat down un
der a spreading oak and chatted pleas
antly OF one thing and another for
long time, for Desmond could be quit,
entertaining when he chose.
BE felt unusually happy, for was b.
not about to confer the greatest homo
that lay in the power of man OF hi
station In the world to confer. upon thi
fair but humble maiden3 BE openet
his lips and spoke; told her of his low
and alteration; fell upon his knees ant
asked her to make him the '' happiest o
/ mortals -
Miss Wilbur rose and looked at him Il
astonishment Have you not heard o
my engagement to Mr.. Barstow i'' sail
she.
4 a cloud blackened Desmond's radtan
! features. BE Hammered an apology
wished her good fortune and left he
looking after him rityingly-
he soon recovered his equaninity, an
from that time was gracious on all oc
-clsions to Arthur Barstow. but IN hi
heart hated him with an the yehemenc
OF his nature.
Arthur and Annie were to be marT1ei
as soon as the mill was IN operation
which would be the next summer.