Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-02-14

uedu, ana L mated my Step-father,
who had squandered our little fortune
In fast living, so took the first situa-
ton which was offered to me, that of
n governess to Mrs. Stones chill.
dren-and
The years went over and under
,,tn WIN their loves; and their joys and hates
, with their bonds that broke asIinder
The sport Of the adverse fates!"
] jumped to my feet after long
interval of silent thought. had
taken nonOte Of the advancing gloom
which had now settled into night
Long ago the children had been
called into the house and put to bed
What would their mother think of
me? / went up to the house, and
was met at the door by Mrs. Stone,
who said, kindly:
You were gone so long I feared
tnat perhaps your letter contained
bad news, so | ordered Ellen to put
the children to bed without disturb
ing you"
"Thank you," answered, softly :
am so grateful! The letter did
contain news which for the mo-
ment rather unnerved me. / am all
right now )" and after drinking a cup
or tea, went up to my room and to
bed, and slept with his letter, the
first news after five years, pressed
to my heart.
The next day wrote long, closely
written letter to Richard.
" do remember" 1 wrote, "and
IL seems too good TO he true that
have kept still faithful your heart,
dear friend, all these years."
This letter brought an answer by
return of post from Richard, such as
might have been expected under the
circumstances.
You see, / am in business for
myself" he wrote, "and 1t is of such
a pressing nature that / find it i'm
possible to absent myself from Hart
ford, even for day. Oh, Regina, I
am so hungry for love, and we have
heen pledged sweethearts so many
years, what is the use of waiting any
longer? Dearest come to Hartford
on the tWenty-fifth of this month.
and we will be married Immediately.
You cannot refuse me, my darling,
l know, so am making preparation
tor cosy little home for my bride.
VIII meet you on the arrival of the
train, and we will be quietly mar
rled. L know this is sudden-that
we have not met in five years, hut
what matters it so long as we love
each other truly and devotedly :?
Telegraph. Your own loving
RICHARD"
This impetuOus letter came to me
like bombshell, and it proved an
irresistible appeal. To be married
the twenty-fifth of this month! How
my heart throbbed as 1 read the
words! Dear old fellow, it was mad
ness, but telegraphed promptly:
II will leave Mattapoisett for
Hartford at two o'clock, Saturday,
August twenty-fifth."
AS j had no friends, kept my own
counsel, but the next day went to
Mrs. Stone in her boudoir, and told
her l was going away to he married.
"Going away to be married ?" she
repeated, breathlessly. "Isn't this
rather sudden determination ?"
" Yes" l assented. But hope
shall not Inconvenience you by so
short notice, Mrs. Stone"
mo-" admitted Mrs. Stone, half
smiling; "but 1 am opposed to the
haste you use in so suddenly decid-
ing your fate for a lifetime, and en-.
treat you to remain with me q little
| longer"
" have waited five years." / an
swered, simply, "and 1 have con.
cluded it is best to 90 at once to Hart .
ford, where my affianced is waiting
for me-"
ooh, certainly" was Mrs. Stones
reply. "Your explanation alters the
case materially. thought that per-
haps 1t was some one you had met
here, my dear, so wanted you to wait,
and to study more carefully the char
acter and disposition of the man YOU
have chosen"
The morning Of my departure ar.
rived almost too soon. I dressed NV
self all in black, a color which was
very becoming to me, and at my
waist / fastened great bunch of
lovely velvety pansies-his tavorite
flower. took especial pains TO curl
my hair lit didn't curl naturally, as
does that of most heroines) in the
prettiest way, and took last look at
myself in the mirror. This was NV
wedding morn, and 1 was ONLY
twenty. How much have changed
In the last five years." l reflected,
''from the little schoolgirl Richard
loved, and l dare say he has changed
considerably HIMSELF" And nv re.
fection in the mirror smiles back at
me tenderly, assuring me that If |
am not a dazzling vision of girlisb
loveliness. | am withal radiantly
beautiful, with a slender girlish form,
and sweet smile which onIy en-.
hances the sadness in my dark ewes
that will shine again with happiness
for him.
Mrs. Stone gave me for a wedding
present lovely bracelet with one
beautiful diamond surrounded by su.
peru emeralds set in massive gold
and she and the children kissed me
an affectionate farewell.
In Just little time was on board
the train which steamed aWay 70
Hartford. How painfully my heart
throbbed within my breast. On and
on the train rushed. In due time the
journey ended, but how tortuously
slow the train crawled through the
city and rolled lazily into the station
and then came to an abrupt stand
still. My brain was in a whirl.
was scarcely conscious when the pas
sengers left the car. When the pas
sageway was clear, handsome
young man entered the car, whom
recognized INSTANTLY 90 NV P;oba.d