The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-22

were laughing and chatting together
about its brink when we came upon
them, and, seeing that we had no drink
ing vessel, she dipped silver cup into
the spring and offered it with n charm
ing grace, first to Uncle Joe, and then
to Inc. l quaffed the healing waters,
and with it the first love draught that
my heart had ever known Then we
all went back to the hotel together;
the fair llcbe and l, by some unac-
countablc arrangement, finding our
selves the last couple in the procession
She talked frankly, first about the
scenery, and then lightly touching, in
charmingly original and independent
way, upon various topics. found her
to be brimful of poetry and romance,
without what is called "gush;" and VIC
made the interesting discovery that our
1avorite poems were the same, and that
upon many subjects our tastes and
opinions were identical In fact, we
were kindred spirits.
Approaching the hotel, observed n
portly and notwithstanding couple
seated on the piazza, the gentleman
smoking and the lady screncly tanning
herself. My fair companion nodded
and smiled to them, and said, laugh
ingly:
Aunt Patterson will be surprised
to find that have been walking with
gentleman to whom l haven't been
introduced. She is the dearest souu
but such an awful sticl1lcr for etiCuetto
and convcntionulities, Now, my name
is Ethel Gray. and am 4 niece of that
NEE old gentleman on the piazza there
Judge Patterson, OF Wytheville."
She said this with an inimitable de.
murc archncss of expression, and I, as
i'll duty bound, FASTENED to rcciprocatc
the confidence.
My name is Percy Howard, and l
am the nephew of the respectable old
gentleman walking in front of us-Mr.
Joseph Barksdalc, attorney-at-law, OF
Middleton, Pa"
She laughed, as she answered:
What lovely name you have! so
romantic and chivalric in sound.
adore pretty names; don't you?"
l asscnted; but cold chill ran
through me at the thought Suppose
had been obliged to inform her that
my name was Peter Tubbsr' And
then and there formed solemn resolve
to relinquish all claim to nv Aunt
Fosters fortune, and retain nv own
name of Percy Howard
Henceforth the more that saw of
the fair Ethel the more enamored did
become OF her sweet and winning
graces. In less than Il week was con-
Vlnccd that she was the one woman in
the world whom destiny had marked
out Tor mo, and at the end of the sec
ond week took my uncle into my con-
hdcncc and communicated to him nv
intention OF asking her to become NV
wife.
II see no objection" my uncle re-
Piled, after moments grave thought.
provided she will accept you. She is
Il charming girl-a little romantic, but
sensible; and will, l am sure, make 4
good wife. Fortunately, your aunt's
money will enable you to live in com
tort, whereas without it you and your
wife would starve; for. as l under
stand, she has nothing of her own, and
is dependent on her uncle, Judge Pat
terson. Indeed, l heard him say YES
terday that he would never consent to
her m marrying poor man"
Here was dilemma. After resoly-
ing, for Ethers sake. to Ike ep my name,
here found myself reduced to the al
tentative of relinquishing it in order
to gain possession of her! To resign
her L felt to be an impossibility,
whereupon at length, not without :,
pang, informed Uncle Joe that had
concluded to accept the conditions of
my aunts will and claim the fortune.
But should have to explain it to
Ethel, and what would she say?
Ethel listened very attentively, rs in
pleasant little retired nook on the
lawn, called 1.-THE lovers seat" | told
her about my grcat-aunt's will and It's
absurd condition. Her sweet face was
full of sympathy, but when 1 asked her
to share with me my life and nv for
tune, there came an ominous silence.
She looked down, and with the point
of her parasol carefully turned over
and examined Il freely which Law mo-
tionless upon the grass.
Ethel! l exclaimed, anxiously, "if
you have any feeling OF pity, give me
an answer at once. l cannot bear this
suspense. Surely you do not care for
mc!'
II do care for you, Percy" She
said, slowly, and then paused. APP
parently she had satisfied herself that
the fly was dead, for she now began
abscntly to dig grave with her para
sol into which She lightly shovelcd
him, then added, sadly: but l don't
know that can marry you"
"Why not, darling? What obstacle is
there?"
why, only think, Percy, what
dreadful thing it would be to have to
go through my whole life as-as Mrs.
Peter Tubbs" And here she hastily
covered up the FREELY and buried it out
of SIGHT. as though 1t had henn Tint