The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-07-28

4 TeN q county, Massa-
Wv a chusctts, and his good
E/Sr6> name, inherited from
E3RGS the fathcran cherished
VIZ. by the son, made him
not only popular as nn
~ officer, but RAJ h c +
wealthy rs man. Why Mr.. Rhodes
had never got married, the ladies'
could not ascertain, though they talked
the matter over and over very often,
but almost all said there must have
been some cause in his youth. (AIr.
Rhodes was thirty five, Mt least), which
was known only to himself, and per.
haps one other.
Some disappointment" said Miss
Anna, young lady who thought it
wrong that gentlemen should be dis
appointed; ''some fatal disappoint-
ment"
"Not at nll, said her maiden aunt,
mot at all, nobody ever thought that
Mr. Rhodes had courage enough to
oiter himself to lady. He Is so
modest that l should like to see him
make proposal"
"No doubt of it. aunt, no doubt of
1t; aud to hear him, too" said Auna.
Your father ana l." said Annals
mother, "once thought that Mr..
Rhodes would certainly marry Miss
Susan Morgan, who then lived in the
nciShbOrhood."
WAS he ncceptcdby Miss Nor gan p"
asked Anna.
81 don't believe she ever had an
offer, said Aunt Arabella.
perhaps not" said Mrs. Wilton !;
Nhut she certainly Iasary,1 ,,,, g.,
Mr.. Rho les; and l have frequently
thought thai, during services in church,
he was about to make proposals before
the congregation, as ho kept his eyes
continually on her."
"Do You think asked Anna, "that
Miss Morgan was us fond of him as he
appeared to he Of herP"
''ohe certainly did not take the
same means of showing her feelings"
said Mrs. Wilton, "lor she never
looked ct him in church, and seemed
to blush when, by any means, she dis
covered that others had noticed his
gazing upon her"
81 should Think" said Anna, partly
aside, THAT man like Mr.. Rhodes
would not lack confidence to address
lady, especially if she was conscious
OF her own feelings, and of his infrm-
ity."
Mrs. w. smiled, and Aunt Arabella
was about TO say that no lady should
over evince her feelings under such
circumstances. when Mrs. Wilton re-
marked, that once, when she had
joked Miss Morgan upon her conquest.
she rather pettishIy replied, "that she
may have subdued him, but he had
never acknowledged her power"
Conquest and possession did not
go together, then, said Anna.
''Well, is this attachment the cause
Of Mr.. Rhodes's single condition? Was
there no one else at whom he could
look in church, who would be Likely to
look at him also?" said ANN, nOliiur
toward her aunt"
no. said Aunt 4, with n henrlv
smile; "none in the pew to which YOU
allude. / at least was too strongly
impressed with the force OF the tenth
commandment, thou shalt not coyet
thy neighbor'y OK, nor his ass ever
TO be looking over Miss Morgan at ir.
Rhodes"
One morning Mr.. Rhodes was Sit
ting in his Office, when one of the the
and attachments, which he had in
hand to serve, and among them was
one against n lady ab a short distance
The amount wasnot great, buS enough
TO bring distress upon a family.
Let me take that, sod the Sheriff,
with some feeling; cit is out of your
walk, and will drive TO tho residence
OF the person tomorrow morning"
The modest vehicle OF tho officer
stopped nc the door OIL n neat DWELLING
house in retired, delightful situa-
tion, whore all things told Of taste and
economy. Tho Sheriff opened tho
Rate, assembled the steps OF thc house,
and asked if Mis- Nor gan was at
home.
The servant answered in tho affirm.
ativc
SIS Mr. Rhodes passed along tho
hall, he thought over tho part he had
10 perform how he should Introduce
tine subjcct-how, If the dobs should
provo 10 be oncrOus, me should con.
triva 10 lighted tho burden by his own
abilities; and when he reached the
door, Lc htd conued his soIutltiou 60
the lady, and ms opening speech ON
tI. subject OF his official call.
Tho servant Opoued the door Mr..
Rhodes entered with bow. lie
hu he'd hesitntcd and ot length took
% cat, 90 which Miss Morgan directed
him by graceful turn Of her hand
After q tow moments hcsitaucy,
Mr. Rhodes felt that it was his bust
moss &C. op9n conversation that
would explain Che sub.cc Of his visit
10 ha offered, by wav of preface, fow
remarks upon tho coldnssg Of spring
eyes, SAID Miss Morgan "but yet,
cold as the Weather has been and even
notwithstanding fcw frosts, you see
the trees have their richest foliage,
aud the flowers arc luxurlant"