The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-06-27

to secure his restoration to society.
In words of warmest love she sent a
motherly greeting to the dear girl
whom she had never seen, and babe
her nephew say to his chosen one that
from his description of her beauty,
grace of manner and. lovely traits Of
character she was already enthroned
in motherly heart which longed to
welcome her as a daughter. The letter
concluded with these lines:
"All possess will be yours, my dear
est Ned. When the Master calls me
from earth you will be very wealthy
man, and in anticipation of your early
release and subsequent marriage will
at once place you in possession of half
of the wealth possess, and then you
can place your bonnie bride in the
highest circles of society, for
which her beauty, education and rare
attainments so eminently fit her."
At their next meeting the young SOL
der placed the letter in Alice's hands,
and asked her to read it, As her eager
eyes ran quickly over the written lines,
look of perfect peace and satisfaction
settled upon her lovely face. To her it
seemed that the last barrier to their
happiness was swept away by the pen
of the distant relative, and when her
eyes drank in the message Of greeting
to herself, the floodgate of her soul was
opened and tears of joy fell upon the
open sheets before her.
Ned, my darling-your dear aunt
calls you Ned, and may not I?-I al
most feel that the blessed Lord above
has taken us in hand, and will lead us
safely to the fruition of our fondcst
dreams. My beloved, am motherless,
and there is but one in whom l can
confide as would in a mother, Mrs.
Colby, dear, good woman who loves
me as if were her own daughter. She
discovered my love for you the day of
your release from confinement, and
told me of your love for myself. She
read it in your eyes, dear, in the tones
of our voices when the name of each
was mentioned to the other, and she it
was who counseled me to avoid you un-
til your true standing in life should be-
come known. She believes in you,
Ned, but prudently asked me to not
forget that I had but your own unsup-
ported statement of your social' stand
ing, and that until the truth of your
story should be established must not
compromise myself by frequent meet
ings with you. This letter will remove
every doubt from her mind. May I
show 1t to her?"
"If you wish you can do so, Alice,
but the time has not yet come for the
world to hear the story, and you must
ask her to pledge her secrecy"
When Mrs. Colby reached that por-
ton of the letter referring 70 Alice, she
exclaimed:
"Why, Alice, has this man declared
his love for your"
"Yes, yes, Mrs. Colby; but read it all,
and will then explain
The good woman finished the letter,
and, clasping the girl to her heart in q
loving embrace, said:
MY sweet child, no further explana-
ton is necessary. You have won the
love of man in every way worthy OF
you, a man of wealth and refinement,
and every barrier to your union will
soon melt away Why, what a wonder
full romance, you dear little creature
A young, innocent pussy, who knows
no world outside of military post
catches man and q fortune whom halt
the rich and brilliant bellies Of the
great east would strive to win did they
but know him. Why, you demure lit
tie nobody, do you realize what you
have done? feel that could hug Tie
life out of YOU"
80, Mrs. Colby, my good, sweet
friend, have never given a thought tc
his wealth. | see my Ned only as a
lovable man, u king among men, and
do love him dearly. He did declare his
love for me, but asked in return only