Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-05-16
PLATONIC LOVE.
WRITTEN FOR THE INDEPENDENT
BY W. G.

tages and devoting himself there
after to the studies of the Law De-
partment in the University, he be-
came in due course of time, proni-
nent in the legal profession.
In the family of his partner, where
he boarded, the housekeeper was
lady whose appearance and manner
seemed to indicate that her position
was below her merits. She bad
passed the blooming years of youth,
nevertheless her beauty had not suf-
fered much, and there was that in
her manner which was proof that
Alice Linton had not always moved
in her present sphere. Her lady
like attitude toward young Allison
made him like and esteem her, and
this feeling was increased and inten-
sifed when she volunteered to nurse
him through protracted and dam
gerous illness. This led to q most
friendly and affectionate intercourse
between them, though there were no
symptoms CT any love beyond that
which is the result of pure friend
ship.
In this manner considerable time
elapsed, when Allison found it to his
interest to change his location and
leave the family of his partner and
friend in order to set up for himself
in another field. His reputation for
integrity, honesty and experience
gained him quite a goodly number
of clients. His diligence, correct
ness and perseverance, and his mod
crate charges secured him continued
patronage, and thus he laid the foun.
dation for an extensive and lucra
tive practice. Hence he WAS very
favorably situated, and had perhaps,
very little occasion to think of his
benefactress, when unexpectedly and
to his great surprise, he one day re-
ceived visit from her.
More surprising than her visit was
her mission. II have, she said,
"before this had occasion to place a
| great deal of confidence in you, that,
in the matter Of very important
legal business, | prefer to consult
you in preference to any and all 9th
ers.' She stated that an uncle of
hers who had made a fortune in In
dia, had returned to New York, and
had died there lately. His estate
was worth at least one hundred
thousand dollars. She believed her.
self to be the nearest kin and heir.
She had written to the custodians of
the estate, and received an unsatis-
factory answer, full of objections to
her claims. Her object in calling
upon him was to enlist him in her
cause, and put the matter in his
hands with view to investigate and
ascertain whether she had a legal
riphf n Tho actoko Nr
Allison accordingly examined the
papers she placed in his hands and
decided that her claims were Just,
right and tenable. He at once agreed
to go to New York and personally
push her claims. Good Miss Linton
could scarcely find words to express
her gratitude. As soon as Allison
arranged his most pressing business,
he started on his mission.
He found matters relative to the
claim Just as he had expected, many
hindrances which his skill removed,
many propositions which his sense
of justice refused, many snares
which his sagaoity unravelled. He
cleared away the web, which oppos-
ing and bribed lawyers had thrown
around the case, and in few weeks
everything was settled in favor of
his client, the proceeds delivered
over to him, and he returned home
happy man to report the success of
his undertaking to Alice Linton, who
regarded him as her greatest bene-
factor.
In the possession of such for
tune the woman seemed to be bewil-
dered, and was at loss how to Sc
cure it or dispose of it, and there
fore begged Allison to aid her with
his counsel and advice, and an ap-
pointment was made to meet on the
following day for that purpose.
When they met on the day follow
ing, Alice had numerous questions
to ask about the disposition of her
fortune as she called it,-what in
vestments to make, and how? And
every advice that Allison offered,
every suggestion he made seemed to
please her. and find her ready TO car
~ it out. At the same time some
thing seemed to be resting and
weighing on her mind, for which she
at last found utterance as follows:
mo one can feel more sensibly
than do, that this favorable turn
was the work of my friend, my very
dear friend, Monroe Allison. In
this remarkable turn in my affairs,
by which SO many thousands are
suddenly poured into my hands,
nothing is more essential than true
and constant adviser, one whose in