West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-02-10

when IL falls from its setting into the
gutter. Is not your argument n little
shnky, Mrs. ColbyP"
Alice. my dear child. you force me
to palmer words, and I must talk to
you rs II wcrc your own mother. In
my conversation with Brown to-day I
several timos mentioned your name.
and when did So could read him "a
an open book. Every time your namo
fell from my lips n new ligit came into
his eyes, his face glovcd with increased
animation. and at one time an unmis-
taxable sigh which nc vainiy endeav.
ored TO suppress caught my attention.
Alice, that man In desperately In love
with you. and your tcll-tal eyes while
convcrsing of him too plainly indicate
that there Is n growing feeling In your
young heart fur stronger than one of
friendship and sympathy for this sol
dicr. My dear child. answer me truly.
are you not falling In love with this
man In the ranks?"
Tho fncc OF the young girl was rcd
with blushes, and she threw her head
down into the lap of her motherly
friend 70 hide her confusion. Mrs.
Colby strolScd her hair tcnderly, and a
smile OF intcrmingled sadness and
sympathy lit up her face. After few
momcuta Alicc partly regaincd her
oomposurc, and raising her hoad she
looked with trusting confidence into
her friends eyes and replied;
'I-I-don't know, Mrs. Colby. Mr..
Thornton impresscs me as no gentle
man ever before did. have seen no
fa.tny q
gentle, 30 kind in nature. so manly and
so heroic In bearing tho load placed
upon his shoulders that THAT l.
thinlt-n-great-dc of - him per-
haps-"
"My dear girl. feared as much, and
that Is why I have pointed you TO the
impassable barrier which lies between
you-nt present. You must mast or thi,
growing fondness before IL masters
You. for love. my child, when once IL
gains supremacy rulos its victAis a.
with rod Of iron, and laughs to scorn
the rules Of propricty. Think OF the
distressing scandal which would hgi.
tate the military circles of tho whole
land were Il 20 become known that tho
beloved daughter Of ono Of the most
distinguished officers OF the nrJny had
bestowed her love upon a humble pri-
vate soldier in the rnnlSs. The fngcr
Of scorn would be pointed NJ you, dear,
and your old father, were he to survive
the shock would resign his proud posi-
tion and seek tn bury himself from tho
world In obscurity and retirement.
You nrc trcading dangerously near tho
brink of IN awful prccipice, Alice, and
! would lead you away TO safer
ground"
"Oh, you frightcn met" the girl said,
with an appealing look, II cannot
smother the emotions which God placed
In my soul. cannot change the nature
llc has given me. and believe It would
be wicked TO torture my own peace Of
mind even TO preserve unbrolcn the
lines of army social distinction. Mra.
Colby, confess TO you that my eyes
have not been blinded to the growing
regard ! feel for Mr.. Thornton. have
oven felt that he might be necessary
to my future happiness. Never by
word or look has he shown me any at
tention that would indicate that ne en-
tertaincd toward me aught but feel
lug of simple friendship, and what you
have told me Of his--of his--thinkinR q
great deal of me comes rs a revelation,
and, ! confess It, q most pleasing ono.
But. Mrs. Colby, nssure you. on my
honor, that ! have never once thought
Of the military world knowing aught of
any tender feeling which might oxist
betwoon myself and private soldier.
! did not even intend that you should
know II, dearly as loyo you, until
Private Brown should disappear from
life, and Mr.. Thornton, with hts mill
tary service but memory OF the past.
should step into our social circles. n
this should be brought about, what
then2"
"Ah! that might make a wide diff
ference, dear. Now I begin 60 under
stand you, and you h ave lifted a great
load OF apprehension from my heart.
There would be no impropricty In
refined, honorable and worthy gcutle-
man In civil life aspiring TO the hand
of tlie daughter Of military officer.
Many do 50, and tho most happy re-
suits usually follow. Alice, know
what a womnn's love r.. have folt It's
nll-consuming fire IN my own soul,
feel II yet, for Capt. Colby and myself
arc just as fond lovers, and oftentirnes
our love was sealed with marriage.
Now, dear, 7 will be your friend aud
adviser In this matter. n you will 50
permit. There 0dssing her) Is the
seal Of my friendship. and want you
10 confdo IN me. There Is but ono
pathway leading 90 your future hap
piness, and II must not be strnyed
from. While Edward Thornton re-
mains as Private Brown you must look
upon him as but a soldier In the ranks.
You must avoid him oil you can. and,
II II bo possible, his discharge from tho
service must be brought about.
think II can be. When that consurn-
nation Is reached he may feel at lib
erty 10 sue for your hand, and should
he do 80 you must refer him 70 your
father. His past life must DO Invcsti-
gated, for you must remember, dear,
that we have but his own unsupported
story regarding himself There, I
know what you would say. believe
In him as much az you do. but your
father would demand the most con-
vincing proof Of his worth before no
would perini; him 20 slow yo,i any a..