Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-03


You seem to have an accurate
knowledge of women and their
ways, he remarked dryly.
allowed that speech to pass with
out comment. Comment seemed SUI
perfuous.
IF l might ask, should like to
know whom you would consider in
fault in this little misundcrstand-
ing?' he asked.
~ am, sir. 1t stands to reason. /
should not be so anxious If she were
iii fault, and then | explained the
whole matter, finishing up with, II
can t remember exactly what called
her, but whatever it was | didnt
mean it.
Il am not able to refresh your
memory rs to what you said on that
occasion, but can tell you what l
have heard you call her myself"
said Mr.. Druitt quietly. And then
he told me.
His tone was revelation to me.
Not that I'd call Witch anything
worse than n little fool. But / re-
allied what it must have sounded
like to the hearers, and to him, her
father. l don t know how looked,
but felt mean, cheap, Worthless
utterly 40. l began to stumble out
apologies. He waved his hand.
All right, said he, but you SEQ
your language is at times forcible. -"
Ho Is wise man, so he said no
moro. Ho showed his wisdom there
IN, for l went at once to see Witch
in very contrite frame of mind. l
was ready to make q mat of myself
and let my darling trample on mo
If 1t should SO please her or to do
any other extravaganza thing, such
was the depth of my humility. Still,
as i journoyed Putnoyward l won
dered as to who could have stirred
up the strife between us. Suddenly
1t flashed across my mind that Witch
had seated herself beside Aunt Betsy
Jane, and that Aunt Betsy Jane was
her godmother and therefore licens-
ed to interfere.
am not going to explain how
Aunt Betsy Jane came to DO Witch s
godmother. l am not lady novel
ist, and therefore don t think it nec-
essary to explain everything. 1t has
nothing to do with this story. Be-
sides, 1 was only years old when
she was ohristened and WASH t oon-
suited as to her sponsors. To be
sure, it must have been Aunt Betsy
Jane who suggested the letter.
When / arrived at the Cedars, it
was about ID O'Clock. If all went
we'll, peace would reign between
Witch and myself in an hour. And
if so I would take her off to Rich
mond, get a boat from Messum s,
row up the river, come to anchor in
baokwater knew of between
Richmond and Hampton and then
make her name the day. But things
didn't go we'll; they went exceed
ingly bad instead. When Amelia
Amelia is the Druitts' housemaid-
opened the door and l inquired for
Witch, she SAID gravoly:
Miss Druitt is not we'll, sir, but
I'll tell her you're here.
Then she showed me into the din
ing room. This was ominous. In
the Druitts' menage it is customary
to sec people who come on business
-dressmake rs, laundresses, servants
seeking placcs-in the dining room
before lunch Amelia left me and
went up stairs. rapidly diagnosed
the situation. l took out my pocket
book and wrote, My darling, 1 shall
wait in the old boat at the end of
the lawn till you can see me, " and
then l signed it John"
Amelia came back. IF you please,
sir, Miss Druitt does not feel equal
to seeing you today, but will write
to you tonight.
Exactly" said l quietly. Can
you give me an envelopep Thanks.
Give that to Miss Druitt, please"
The maid left the room. and I went
into the garden. At the bottom of
the garden ran the river. Chained
to post was an old boat. 1t was
seldom used, as the spot was not
picturesque, but 1t was secluded,
hidden both from the house and
from the passing boats by thick
dropping willows. 1t was here that
Witch and had come to the conclu-
sion that we could not live without
each other. sat down in the boat,
faa1ino yoru xyroth with Witch, ,rl
bitter against Aunt Betsy Jane.
would have given much to know If
she were in the house at that mo-
ment. I thought out all had heard
of the days of her youth. I felt
mean and spiteful. / bethought me
Of an old incident in her life wherein
Aunt Betsy Jane had sailed very
near the wind and had had narrow
escape of social wreck
l ought to have forgotten it, but
am not heroic. Both morally and
| physically ! am commonplaoe-th
Is to say, If I'm struck, hit back,
or try to. Would you believe itP l
sat in that boat, except when ! got
up and stretched myself, till s
O'Clock. 1t was nearly dark, and
whom heard the clock strike swore
to myself that if Witch aid not APP
pear before the Ginning of the quar-
ter ] would row tho old boat down
to tho bridge, give hoy siXponCo to
bring 1t back again-and, well, when
Witch wanted mo, she might send
for me. That was ALL