The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1894-12-04

".
1 said
She tried to laugh.
u love You so much, Fannyl" i
SAID. Don't you like me little
better Mt least than old Van Duzer?"
She laughed in earnest this time.
That would be very easy, Fred, " she
said.
Then you won't marry him?"
She looked Mt me moment, seemed
to rchect-and then, with n bright,
honest, earnest LOOK, put her hand in
mine.
"No, Fred" she said, 81 never
will. "
was very happy then, and 1 lifted
the little hand to my lips, and kissed
it,
"And some day, Fanny, you will
marry me?' I asked. Just let me
hope that, and 1 can fight good fight
with the world, | think"
Again she seemed to ponder. Then
she looked mp again very thoughtfully.
"'Some day, Fred" she said, when
1T is right for both of us--if you still
wish it !"
Then kissed her lips, and took my
mothers wedding ring from my finger,
and put 1T upon one of hers.
We did not tell Mrs. French. 1t
was our secret for while, Mt least. |
was not afraid OF old Van Duzer now,
let him come when he would. |
laughed Mt him in secret. cxulted
In his downfall Some day he would
he refused-he who had called me
chat young fellow" with sheer,
and had "wondercl what | wanted
there, when | fingered near the win
dow when he stood with Fanny. /
was sure of her, and ! was happy.
So happy that when, one evening,
the old merchant came in, with Il face
full of solemn potent, aud invited
Fanny to take walk, | felt no con
corn Whatever. Even if he intended
to propose, it was MI the better for
me. | should he rid OF him. I knew
what Fanny's answer must be, for she
wore my engagement ring. suw her
leave the house upon his arm, and
smiled with n sort OF pity for poor
Van Duzer. And upon the balcony
1 snt, watching for their return. 1t
was nearly 10 o'clock before they
came. Then | saw thcm-she walking
with her head dropped upon her
bosom; he, with a triumphant strut.
And, at the threshold the street lamp
betrayed thcm-hc kissed her rs they
parted. What did it all mean? | had
my answer soon. She came into the
parlor and sat down upon sofa No
one else was there. / went to her.
She was sob5ing dreadfully.
Fanny, oh, Fanny - / cried, AMI
she put her head upon my shoulder.
Since my engagement it had often
rested there.
Kiss me once more, Fred" she
said. cts the last time. Oh, Fred.
Fred-poor, dear Fred, the last time.
I'm going to marry Mr.. Van Duzer!"
and she took the ring from her finger
and laid ii in my hand.
And then she tore herself from my
grasp, and ran out of the room.
l}y the next evening, however, every
one knew that Fanny French was to
marry Mr.. Van Duzer. People spoke
OF 1T as can excellent match.
ought to have gone away, but |
was IN bewildcred state, and it was
cGsler TO stay than to think about 90
ing. felt III, too, nul hal II vague
fancy that | should die soon. fell
into moody, brooliug way, passed
slecP!css nights, and could not eat.
could not rest. At last, AMI ny ex-
cuse Is that was nearly mad, I made
up my mind to take my life into my
own hands, AMI not live an hour ter
she was Mrs. Van Duzer.
1t WAS, or seemed to me, very nice
piece OF poetical Justice that she
should suffer, and | resolved to stand
~ her path as shc came out Of church
and shoot myself then and Tin re
One day | went into the parlor sud
denly, to find all tho women Of the
house grouped about pile OF white
silk AMI blonde.
! knew it was n wedding dress aui
veil, and what / suffered no mortal
ever knew. But lived through it.
Every event OF that woefu fort.
night, for the wedding was hurried ON
at full speed was n now blow to me-.
The new table furniture for the
wedding, the home COMING OF the
wedding cards, and Mt last OF the con
PETITIONERS bride cake, the box of
white gloves, and the wreath, which
was exhibited ON private view to the
lady Ooarlcrs. Vt was all very horri.
bic to bear, and 1 was very truly in
earnest.
And so the days slipped around and
brought tho wedding morning and
s1t in the parlJr quite alone.
They were TO bc uprried i'm church.
end sine was, knew. being dressed
FOR the ceremony. had not seen
her for three days And they told me
size was looking very ill., hnd loaded
Che lt,ic pistol and kept it i'm INV
bosom. ! felt That the end OF niI
things was near for me. IL was twelve.
She was 10 be married 81 one.
Just then the door-bcll rnng. anIn
gentleman was ushcrcd in-o young
fellow with dissiplted look about
bin, but earnest AMI sober lust then,
as some sudden shock often makes
such men. He stood, Init i'm hlnd.
before me; and ] sawin his face that
be- was the balr.r Of evil things.
ar1s. tJ meet him.