Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-04-01

all my hear, you are going to marry one Of the
sweetest little girls in the world, and wish
you all of the good and none Of the bad Of
life paused. Handy was looking down
at me with very puzzled expression on his
face. Then you know Agnes too?' he said.
'What Agnes? l asked. Why, Jessie's
sister, the one whose picture have here
Then it was not Jessie, but Jessies sis
ter My brain seemed on fire. These sud
den changes from hope to despair, and from
despair back to hope were hard to stand.
Again began to pace wildly up and
down the porch, muttering Thank God J
I'll start this evening shall see her again ?
and similar disjointed expressions, until
Handy Joined me, and begged me to explain
my strange conduct. This did as briefly
as could, bdt the telling took many min
utes. Every minute or so, Handy would
interrupt me with why, to be sure What
an ass am p When concluded he shook
me warmly by the hand saying Well, it
seems after all that we are TO be brothers-in-
law. And, by the way, Crauston, the very
last time saw Jess she asked if had any
idea where you were. jess has had lots of
attention in the past year. She was one Of the
bellies of Washington this winter, but have
yet TO hear of a single fellow getting a soft
look from her eyes. | have heard fellows
up at the club rave over her beauty, but de-
clare that she is devoid of feeling, aud as
cold as an iceberg How different, /
thought, from the loving, passionate girl l
knew her to be But said nothing | de-
layed my going until the next day. Handy
had left to join his corps the evening before
with many parting handsbake and good
wish. f
IL reached Washington in good season,
though the distance seemed interminable-
! only took time TO wash away the stains of
travel, and change my linen, before starting
out for Col. Marston's. An old domestic
answered my ring. The Col. had taken a
house in the city for the winter aud early
spring. Could she give me the number?
She could, and named fashionable neigh
borhood. Reaching the city called cab.
The driver stopped before large house with
a covered carriage.way in front. Looking
at my watch found it just six o'clock. A
devilishly questionable hour, | thought,
but it can't be helped passed up the steps
and rang the bell A footman opened the
door. Give this card to Miss Jessie Mar
ston,' said The family is at dinner, sir,
can't you call little latter sirg But !
showed past him into the hall. Wait! ]
had waited long enough Seeing me deter
mined, he bowed me into the drawing room,
and truged of down the ball.
az felt great waves Of heat and cold passing
through me what if she were out What
if she had forgotten me What if But
here the curtains at my back, between the
two rooms, were pulled quickly aside, aud
two arms were thrown tightly about my
neck, while Jessie's dear little face was
bending down over my shoulder, and press
ed close to mine.
Boys it's late / will tire you no longer.
Heavens, the sun is coming in through the
window declare it's shame but you
fellows brought it down on your own headsY'
We begged him to continue. There is
nothing more TO say by way Of conclusion
save this. Ny cousin was drowned that
summer, while crossing the river with a
crowd of drunken companions on some mis-
sions of deyiltry. And, if / can pick up
anything out in Denver, it won't be long
before you fellows receive an invitation
which will read as follows: Col. and Mrs.
John II. Marston request but you know
the formular. Good nightw And, throw
ing himself over on his pillow, Cranston
was soon asleep
Williams and soon followed him. We
parted the next day, and have not met since,
but shall all be together in Washington next
month for, on my Office table this morning,
have found the invitation with its pre-
dicted formuIar, aud letter from Cranston
asking me to be best man.
THE END.