The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-09-29

That evening, in the quiet twilight
interval between tea and croquet, Eva
took occasion to convey TO Mr.. River
ton warming hint of what her father
expected of them in the future.
Jack knew-as did most of the
squire's acquaintances-tha despite n
good heart at bottom" the old gem
tleman was apt to take up absurd and
unreasonable preiudices. and to stick
to them with tenacious obstinncy--
especially when he found himself or.
posed. But on this occasion the yuun
mans spirit rose in high rebellion, and
it took all Eva's influence to pacify
him.
"No, Jack" she said, with gentle
hrmness, in reply to his excited re-
marks, you must not speak to papa
at present. 1t would only make mat
ters worse while he is in this mood.
We can do nothing but wait and see if
in time he won't yield to more reason
able impressions"
'In time - repeated jack, inn
patiently. "Why, Evic, he don't
change his views on any subject within
five wears time"
"Wcll." " shc said. with sigh, 81
suppose we shall have to wait, even If
it is as long M that.
One day the squire, returning from
his morning ride, found his daughter
and his sister seated in the pleasant
little sitting-room opening upon the
garden.
Eva's white fingers were deftly
G.. l.. IL Il
into dainty knots and loops.
"What are those for?" her father
inquired, as he seated himself in his
own big armchair and unfolded his
paper while Slancing admiringly Mt the
silken stuff
"To wear ut the lawn party this
evening, rnpa. And you will go with
us, of course?'
"a lawn party? Ah, I had for
gotten! Well, where is it to boat
the Lyons ?'
cat the Rivertons'," Miss Maddox
said.
He scowled as he roughly shook out
his paper.
'I don't wish to interfere with your
pleasures or enjoyments, Eva," he
said, "but I would rather that you
should not go to this party at the
Rivertons'."
She knew that when her father ex-
pressed wish, it was intended as a
command, and her hands dropped
listlessly into her lap, crushing the
crisp ribbons. Tears forced them
selves between the long lashes, and
she presently rose and quietly left the
room.
Then Miss Maddock looked up from
her own work, and there was some
thing unusual in her expression.
"Archibald," she said. gravely. II
have something to say 10 you. ]
would warn you not to carry this
matter too far, nor to be too hard
upon Eva and Jack Riverton, lest you
drive her into open disobedience and
even an elopement."
can elopement!"
His sister took from the little work.
box which Eva had left on the table
folded letter.
81 found this here, just where you
see that she keeps it. Perhaps ]
ought not to have read it, seeing that
it is love letter; but, under the cir
cumstances, consider it my duty to
let you know the contents. Will you
read it, or shall do SOP"
The squire replied with a sort OF
innrticulnte grunt, which his sister
interpreted in her own way, and
accordingly commenced reading,
aloud:
"'My own precious angel, Eva"
"Bah !" said the squire, with an OK.
preston of unutternblo disgust.
I" since a cruel and relentless fate at pres.
ent for51s our meeting, can but take this
unsatisfactory method Of communicating
with you. aud telling you, my own dearest
darling. OF how unspeaknbly and unutterably
dear You are to me.
"Thc fool" muttered the squire.
"'Oh, my souls bcloved-'"
"For heavens sake, Matilda, spare
me any more of that sickening anG
idiotic stuff! Why, it's worse ever
that / would have thought Jack River.
ton capable OF. What were you say,
ing about an clopement?"
'It is this" answered his sistor,
glancing down the page:
." Il find that / cannot exist apart from
you, and since your unfeeling father"
"Humphl"
"-wil not consent to our union, we must
take our fortunes into our own hands and
defy any, earthly power to keep us
asunder.'"
''The rasoall" cried the squire,
starting erect in his chair.
But his sister put out her hand,
deprecatingly.
"Hear the rest, Archibaldl"
"Not another word The idea of n
rascal and idiot like that presuming to
court my daughter"
"But at least hear the last lines:
Goodnight, my souls beloved May
angels fan you to slumber with their fra.
grance-laden wings and In your dreams
think OF your own devoted
"'AncHiDALD MADDOX"
There was blank, bewildered
pause.