Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-08-21

aitu Cdtt IT, WOuiu yUu HiuuIy T6atCu aIIO
that bottle out of the locker? I'm get
ting very faint. Thanks seldom pat
ronize my own brew; but, whatever its
demerits, it has strength. However, I
haven't got much time left, and must
come to the point. America was no
place for southern girl after the war.
With the niggers stirred up as they
We're, there was no telling what might
happen to her So sent the child to
convent in Paris, and there she's re-
manned ever since But she's finished
her education, and she's coming home
right now-coming home to her inherit
ance. Yes, sir, the estate will be hers
i'll an hour or SOS time, and with it
matter Of 5000 that has come out Of
moonlight whisky. Now, sir, will you
give dying man hand?"
81 will do anything that lies within
my power. -
"Then find out my daughter" came
the astonishing reply, "and marry her. :"
Horror struck, the Englishman start
ed to his feet. Did not this man realize
that he was murderer, still red hand
ed?
.'My God," said old man Swanlee,
''you are not going to refuse me?" He
stretched out a bony hand and caught
at the others gaiter. Heavens, man,
think what you are sayingl Think what
this means to me!'
The other turned away his head in
despair.
cit is not much am asking. She's
beautiful. I had her photograph sent
me only the other day. She's highly
educated; she's well born; she's rich
What more can young man want in a
wife?''
"But," broke in the Englishman des
perately, 81 am not free. met glHl
in Paris awhile back and crossed with
her here in the boat from Havre Be-
fore we landed in New York she had
promised to become my wife. never
could marry any one else. I-er-in
short, love her,"
The old man's knotted hands wrestled
with one another tremulously. 81 see,"
he said at last, with a heavy sigh. 81
should have liked it to have been, but
what you say is final Still, sir, you
must do something else for me, if you
will
Anything that lies within my pow
er," exclaimed the other eagerly. "Be-
Geve me, anything.
"Then find out my daughter and act
as her guardian. Give her my dying
command to obey you in everything, and
she will do it. See that she has her
rights, guard her from adventures,
watch that she marries a good husband,
a man that is worthy of her, one who
will treat her we'll"
The old mans voice had died down
.aa1l.uRsasst to whisper.
His companion stopped over him.
will do all you ask" he said earnestly. |
"But you had better tell me now where
I shall find Miss Swanlee.
"Thanks. You are very good. But I |
ought to have told you she is not bear
ing that name now. To avoid complica-
tions which arose after the war made
her take another, which she will carry
till she comes back here. She was chris
tened Miriam, after her mother, and'-
The old mans voice dropped.
eyes, yes, said the Englishman i'm
patiently, but what was the surname?"
"Lee
"What, Miriam Lee?''
eyes, sir. Miriam Frances Lee"
"Just God-that is the girl to whom
I am engagedp
The Englishman reeled against the ta-
BILE, staring wildly at his host. Old Man
Swanlee had ceased to live, but the an
gle of the hut propped him against fall
ing. On his grim old face there was
curious look of satisfaction.-C. J. Cut
life Hyne in Pail Mall Gazette.