Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-10-26
A LOVE LETTER.

Squire Maddox sat at breakfast,
readin. the leading county newspa-
per- and choking with toast and in
diguation dt fierce editorial attack
upon his own political party.
"Confounded nonsense and idiocy
he exclaimed at length, rs he con
temptuUusly tossed aside the paper.
Here, Eva, child, another cup OF cof-
fee ;"
As his daughter received the empty
cup, he noticed something OF an e1-
preston of sadness on her usually
bright face, and his conscience re
preached him as being the cause OF it.
Since the death of his wife, whom
he had tenderly loved, his daughter
had been dearsr to him than any
thing on earth, and he did not like to
see her looking unhappy.
What is the days programme,
Evie - no asked, quite mildly.
Hadn't you better drive down with
ne to Chester and see the Lyme girIE
while | call on my lawyer
NO, thank you, papa The Lyme
girls are 'omins here to tea and GRO
quet this ternoon.'
"Ah And who have You to meet
them 2"
Eyas hand was little unsteady as
she poured out the coffee, and her
aunt, Miss Maddox, quietly answered
for her:
Young Mr.. MoiIit aud his sister,
and the Harmon girls and Jack River
ton. and Mr.. Patton will bring II
friend with him
The squre's brow darkeued.
Wasn't Jack Riverton here yeSter-
day
No, not Yesterday.
well, the day before then. Seems
to me he is always here. Pity his
father don't keep him more closely to
his desk in his office, or that he can't
find some other place than my house
in which to pass his superabundant
leisure. And don't see he added,
irritably-"I don't see why he should
have been invited here, when l have
already expressed my objection to
him.
He is not particularly invited, his
sister answered. 1T is only the sec
ond meeting OF our little croquet club
all that we can find to amuse Us in
this dull country neighborhood. And,
of course. you can't blame him for
coming with the rest"
Eva's soft, dark eyes had filled with
tears.
Papa, she said, with a little tire
NOR in her voice, why do you object
to Mr.. Rivtrton Everybody likes
him but you.
The squire hesitated a full half min
ute, as he made a pretense of care
tully DutteflnS BIS egg.
Il have nothing against the young
mans character" he said at length
still more impatisntly, but | don't
like him psrsonslly-that is, his ways,
| wish to hear and see no more OF him
if possible l object decidedly, Eva,
to your accepting the attention which
he has recently been paying you, and
l must request you, Matilda, not to
encourage his visits here
Il ain sure l don't encourage him,
Miss Matilda replied, bristling little,
well aware in her own mind that Mr..
Riverton needed no encouragement
from her But can't understand,
brother, what you can find to object
to in Jack Riverton's manners. Every
one SAYS they are delightful, and you
never found fault with him until
lately
That is just it. His manners have
entirely changed of late. Whenla man
COMES con- tlliE III Nou 'A'CA 'H41 80
a very positive tone OF voice. like
him to appear as man, and a man OF
sense and business. He should come
to me in the first place and say frank
lv that he wishes my consent TO his
addressing my daughter as he-er-
finds that he-er-has a regard for
her, or something plain and simple OF
that kind. But Riverton is a spoony,
and is making a fool OF himself ii
there is anything that | thoroughly
despise, it is to see tall young tsiio"
like that languishing around wo-
man. making sleeps eyes at her on
all occasions-even in church-and
dawdling about for hours in the
moonlight, repeating poetry and call
ing her darling and dearest, and oth'
er such baby names. It's disgusting.
Here Eva, whose cheeks had been
gradually assuming the hue OF the
damask rose which was pinned at hei
throat, suddenly leaned back in bel