The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-02-07

Ell, rather Iovlal specimen of his pro
fession, loving outdoor life and always
stealing off for day at Avondale when
he could manage to escape the routine
OF his office. He arrived in high spir
its with his friend. Major Laurie.
Just returned from Porto Rico. The
two men had not met for nearly ten
years, and each seemed equally glad
to renew his college friendship. AS
soon as they were alone the General
poured out his Indignation and woe to
his son, who was naturally much in
censed at the behavior of Mona's
fiance.
PITY that your friend is an officer
and just home from the war; it will
keep the wound OPEN" added his
father.
"Confound it, so it will L am deuc-
eddy sorry for Mona. No wonder she
is cut mp, but as Laurie is sure to know
Lawrence, we must be careful not to
show him that Lawrence has hurt us.
Mona is plucky enough and must force
herself to be Jolly for couple of days
till Laurie takes his departure
Jolly Poor girl, how can she beP"
sighed the General. .r
), II should like to wiring that rascal's
neck, exclaimed Gilbert, impetuous-
ly, land he of all men, whom we all
liked so much"
That is just where it hurts So"
answered his father
by George" exclaimed Major
Laurie, (after excusing herself early
In the evening, Mona had left the
three men i'll the billiard room smok-
inS,l "but Miss Mona is stunning. If
| were not engaged 10 the dearest girl
In the world,;I should lose my heart
to your sister"
81 did not know we had to congrat
ulate you, old fellow"
when does the happy event come
OFF,"
Very soon; you'll be invited"
Who is she?' asked Gilbert, inter
ested
"a Miss Sterling. whose nature
verifies her name; have known her
since she was girl"
Rather anxious time for her when
you were wounded" suggested the
General.
"Oh, but Twas not in much danger,
you know; now some fellows got so
cut up you would hardly recognize
them. There was poor Lawrence
both his listeners started One leg
clean gone, the other up to the knee,
one arm off, and scar across his face
and the plucky CLAP just smiled
through it all. "
Father aud son exchanged glances.
He pulled through, thanks to the
devoted nursing be got" continued
Laurie, UNCONSCIOUS of the interest
his words aroused. 81 never saw
thai man down until Yesterday, when
he collapsed as though shot"
How was that?' asked Gilbert, in
a constrained voice.
'Well, you see, il was this way; he's
very reticent, still, we all knew he was
devoted to some girl at home, though
he never mentioned hername or spoke
about her; couldn't get him into the
slightest Irritation with any one. When
we came back together he-spoke for
the first time to me about his affair.
You see, Laurie, L am such wreck:
should / marry girl when she might
have TO nurse me? and then, at best,
I'm not whole man; will have but
one sound arm. and only part of one
leg to offer her By George, / felt
for the poor devil when he talked like
that. Well, 1 suggested TO try her
and see what she thought about it.
Write and offer to release her. He
caught at the idea. But I Wouldn't
write rs though pleading with her;
would not want to- be married out Of
pity, but would Just state Che facts
aud leave her free To decide said he.
And what do you think she'll write?
/ asked him. Il think she is too
faithful to give rae up, ne answered,
and, pom my word-scar or no scar
he looked go proud and handsome rs
ho spoke, only wished his sweetheart
could have seen him. "
"And theu?' asked Gilbert, as Lan.
RE paused i'm his narrative.
ooh, then he wrote. abiding TO his
being wreck, and referring TO the ac-
count in the papers, and yesterday her
answer came;I was in his 1ooms when
he got her note-iust n short one, but
he turned white, and said bitterly.
She writes that my views upon the
subject ~ our engagement ending
meet bor own; she releases me, evil
IDENTIFY without regret, thankful TO be
free from what might have been a bur.
den to her ! tried to cheer him up:
lac gave me one look, such as you see
an n hunted beast ne you shoot it down,
and, by Jovc, ho keelcd right ever. /
was in n fearful funk. aud called his
man. He came round presently aud
begged me not to mention the subject
again"
"Lauie, for Gods sake explain
matters little more" cried Gilbert.
who bad risen from his chair in great
excitement
Eyes, sir, cried the General, equally
reused, you don't know how much
depends upon what you have been
telling Colonel Lawrence is engaged
to my daughter Mona"
THE mischief" and the eyeglass
dropped from its bztilVal place,