The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-06-25

'They runi They run"
cried the messenger. WHO runr asked
The dying general ''Three blind
micep' interrupted voice In the com.
pany. The uproar which followed this
sally prevented the continuance Of the
piece. Mr.. Spencer took his seat, with q
flush Of anger on his oheeka He was
often made the butt Of joke and usu-
ally took it good naturedly, but this in
suit was more than his pride could |
brook In vain our host entreated him |
to proceed. He would not be moved.
It was Mr.. Marriott, an inveterate
Joker, who caused the interruption, and
1t was thought that Mr.. Spencer would
demand satisfaction, but, ON the con.
trary, Mr.. Marriott, advancing with q
sincere apology, Mr.. Spencer accepted
1t generously, and they two became the
frmest friends.
Mr.. Wallingford, the other party 10
the duel, was in all respects the oppo-
site Of Mr.. Spencer. He was an Eng.
tall, heavy man, with dark
beetling brows and loud, arrogant voice,
handsome in the manner that noun.
tain bull is handsome. from the ap-
pearance of great strength and courage.
describe him to thee as he really was,
not as my youthful fancy saw him, for
I thought him god, in my heart, and
would have married him, perhaps, ex-
cept for the manner Of his wooing. He
was remarkable in several ways. He
was the only one Of all the men who
paid court to me to marry before did,
for which owe him grudge. He was
also the only man against whom my
mother warned me, though her warning
was of little avail to me. There is
heavy responsibility, my child, upon .
parent in the matter of choosing suit
able husband for daughter. A young
girl cannot know her own heart-but
why dost thou smile? Is 1t because I,
who eloped from my fathers house with
the son Of my fathers enemy, have no
right to speak upon that text2 Welll I
will spare thee the rest Of the lectures
Miss Prue, seeing that thou hast taken
the man I chose for thee.
Mr.. Wallingford had arrived in this
country after peace was concluded with
England, and, though an Englishman,
he was more enthusiastic about "frse
America" than we who had fought for
independence. He was not possessed Of
any estate, but received or pretended to
receive remittances from England.
Well! Both these gentlemen were, Of
course, my lovers. Mr.. Spencer was the
first in the field, in point Of time, though
I never entertained q serious thought
for him until after the duel, while, as I
said, I came near marrying the other.
Mr.. Spencer's wooing was like himself,
a delicate compliment or few lines of
poetry was all that he ever permitted
himself wish had kept some Of the
verses he wrote me now for memento,
but foolishly destroyed them, and can
not remember any, except that he made
my name. Theodore, rhyme with II
adore her'-a very popular couplet
with my poetic admirers. he was my
devoted slave, which was the greatest
fault found in him, for my heart was
seeking a master, not q slave, and 80,
when he summoned up courage enough
to lay his heart and hand at my feet,
had no compunction whatever in telling
him he might not hope
He bore his disappointment bravely,
and we continued to be good friends,
for which was glad, for he was an in
innate friend Of the Saxbya pretend
ed to twit him concerning his Quaker
friends, and he never failed to respond
to my raillery by telling Of some good
action done by one or other Of them.
listened eagerly to these stories, for
was deeply interested in the genial look
ing elderly gentleman, and no less il
his handsome silent son, who was to be
come my husband, but from whom
could neither entioe nor provoke Z
| glance Of admiration.
Mr.. Wallingford, ON the other hand
usually treated me a. child, exoep
when he and were apart from the 9th
ers, when be would sink his voice int
rapturous whisper in addressing me
He lowered about me for three month
before declaring himself, but I ooult
see that his policy was to warn of 9th
er admirers. gradually taking the posi-
tion Of my sole cavalier.
He chose an evening when q few
guests were informally gathered at m.
fathers house to unmask himself Afte
supper he and I wandered into m,
mothers private sitting room unde
some pretext or another, being moth
ing loath to give him the opportunit.
to make love to me.
"How hard it is," said he when W
were alone, Ito have word with you.
II think you say good many word
to me-" I replied, with smile.
We were standing, and permitte'
him to lead me to sofa, upon whicl
he sat down also, next to me. He still
retained my hand, and ! waited, wit
downcast eyes, for the declaration ex
pected I sat few moments in silence
to give him time to collect his thoughts
for I had received many declarations
and was calm, while this might be hi
first attempt thought
II am glad to see You now, be wen
on. II would rather see you in you
grave than not at anP'