Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-09-05

announcer stop SOUNDED on the stair,
and the door opened. 1t proved to
DO only the servant girl with my
tea, and was in the act of casting
myself with an air of indifference
again on my couch when 1 observed
young darby worming himself
through the half open door behind
the girl, cast an intelligent look at
mo and then draw n slip of white
paper from the lining of his hat.
From Missy Walker, sah," he
said, handing 1t to me with q com.
ical bow.
felt as if had suddenly ceased
to breathe, but controlling myself
by supreme effort 1 attempted to
take the letter with matter of fact
air.
Il will SEQ what Miss Walker de-
siros, remarked. IF there is an
answer, l will have it ready in less
than ten minutes.
The darby said "All right" and
followed tho girl out of the room.
AS soon as tho door closed 1 tore
open the envelope.
Dear Charles" it said. 1 could
have kissed the written words, yet
it flashed upon me-what if this let
ter had fallen into the wrong hands?
/ read on:
Pa listened to my statement OF the case re.
latinR to you and mo with a patience that at
first filed mc with alarm. although l have
never kept single wish from him and know
perfectly well his manner Of treatment to.
ward me. will repeat TO you verbatim what
he said in roply
He Is an cxccllent musician and doubtless
n very agreeable instructor. Hence It follows
that young girl may fall in love with him.
am also disposed in your case to believe that
his heart ran away with his head. grant all
that, Lottic, but am by no means disposed 70
grant that all this must lead TO absolute in.
sanity. ~ you secm to think. For the present
you will not return 10 tho academy and in a
few days shall expect you to accompany me
to your relatives in Richmond, where some
matters OF business require my attention. The
rest will arrange itself"
My fathers sagadty would reflect credit
upon him in any case where Lottie Walker Is
not concerned. She thinks she knows her papa
better than he knows himself.
Now, heed this, dear Charles: The earliest
train that leaves for Augusta day after tomor
row will find me at tho first station. Assign
short visit Rs an excuse for absence In order
to delay all premature suspicious and meet
me there. We will go together to Cincinnati
and be married. THE rest will arrange itself"
when speak with pa.
In the contingency that we should be cast
upon our own resources for awhile tho neces-
sary funds have been provided. Bob who de.
Nvors this note, is true as steel. Two words
orally communicated. will suffice.
LorTIE.
I laid the letter down after hasty
perusal, my hand trembled so, and
then read it again. word for word.
My breast seemed to re-echo with
the sounds of a triumphant wedding
march, and / pressed Lottie's hand
writing to my lips until the tapping
Of the impatient darky's hand on
the door tore me from my silent
worship. AS l opened the door OBJ
served him studying my face with
broad grin.
Tell Miss Walker that I shall
obey her in every particular,
said, emphasizing each word and
pressing dollar bill into his hand.
He took his departure with ludi-
crous scrape of the foot and know
ing look.
The next day 1 informed the prin-
Opal that the letter from my friend
which had passed through his hands
would oblige me to leave the insti-
tuition for a short time. I packed my
ihings and nassed q sleepless night.
The train was not due to start until
o'clock In the morning, but I was
at the station at 3. After a long,
tiresome wait the train finally pulled
out. The nearest station was only
five miles away, and we would reach
1t before daylight. In few minutes
heard the whistle of the locomotive
and ran out upon the platform.
Even before the train had come to q
stop l leaped off, and the next in
slant found myself in the embrace
of a yelled figure, who threw both
arms around my neck. Near at
hand the trusty darby stood waiting
by a light wagon containing two
trunks. ! bore rather than led the
girl into the dark carriage and then
fastened back to attend to the bag
gage.
won't your master miss you?"
asked, addressing Bob and filing his
hand with what loose change car
ried.
Not me, sab, d" he said. laughing.
EFF dey don't miss Miss Lottie no
more dan dey does me, it's all right.
The train was starting. leaped
aboard and fastened to her seat.
The passengers in the coach were
few and fast asleep, as judged by
the gray light of breaking day. Lot
tie arose on seeing me approach and
extended both hands, but winding
my arm about her waist gently
forced her back into her seat, and
thus we passed, lip to lip, a moment
OF ecstasy such as mortals expe-
rience once in lifetime.
We reached Cincinnati and were
married. Our first welded kiss ex-
changed, we sat down together and
wrote to Mr.. Walker. l do not know
what Lottie wrote. 1t seemed an
act of ordinary delicacy on my part
to lnclose her letter, unread, with
mino, and her face told me that she
was grateful for it. AS for me, I