The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1901-05-17

cohe III ana ne plunged into his wOrl
as he never had done before. But 1
was no use. He could not work. II,
was consumed with his passion anC
the more he sought 10 stifle It tn,
stronger il seemed to grow. He tried
TO avoid the Burns home, but he found
that he might as well try to avoid ib'
laws of gravitation. Finally after
some two months struggle he sue
cumbed and went to the old major
and made a manly speech about II all
He avowed his love and asked the ad.
vice Of the veteran.
The major was delighted. He fair
ly beamed at the idea. The one terror
Of the old mans life had been the
thought that he would die and leave
his little girl" unprovided for to
struggle with the world alone. Then,
too. his pension was sufficient TO per-
NIT them TO live only in the most
economical fashion and his dim eyes
saw many good things that would
come to gladden. his declining days. as
well as the luxury his daughter would
be able to live in. His enthusiasm i'm
parted itself to the sultor and the up
shot Of IL was that he was encouraged
to make the proposal he so desired
but not that day nor until the major
had had talk with Elsie
She accepted, but there was
frightened look in her eyes as she
said Eyes" and the doctor thought
there was a slight shrinking when he
planted the first kiss. reverently,
upon her fair forehead. But he was
too happy 10 think Of such trifes and
he accepted his new-found bliss at full
par value. Then there were happy
days full Of long rides, gay theater
parties and all the delights n lover
can conjure for the object Of his de-
votion. And II is an open question
whether the lover or the old major
was the happiest.
Then came the awakening. One
evening the doctor sprang gayly into
the little parlor and beheld Elsie with
a face more radiant that he had ever
seen II. He also found there a stall
wart young fellow wearing the uni
form Of Uncle Sam adorned with the
straps of a first lieutenant He was
duly presented ms Archie Cunning
ham, a boyhood friend Of Elsie's. an
officer of the volunteers in the Phil
ippines. home on sick leave, in proof
was his right arm slung in
\ bandage. There was a merry even
ing IN which the old major discussed
with enthusiasm the military problems
If the day with the young officer and
he doctor watched with sinking
heart the bright eyes Of the girl rest
ng ever upon the handsome face over
he shoulder-straps.
The doctor excused himself early |
Ind went 10 his bachelor apartments |
With anguish in his heart. There he
rave the entire night to a long strug-
,le with himself. II was evident that
he girls heart was not his. Her
promise was and he knew her well
nough 10 feel assured that she would
,eep her promise and become his
wife. He had not the slightest doubt
S TO her loyalty, and knew that once
is wife would be as true as
teel. But ne was equally as
ured Course that internal habit
( analysis) that he did not pos
ess her heart and that the stalwart
oung fellow In the blue uniform did.
III night long he ran hot and cold.
he thought Of going back TO his old
fe Of work and loneliness after
tanding on the threshold Of bliss. was
ltolerable to him. But ever and anon
he picture of a home in which pre-
ded a wife, however loyal, whose
cart belonged to another, sickened
i'm.
In the morning, haggard and still
eepless, he went again to the Burns
ONE and sought an interview with
Isle. What was said in that inter-
ew is not for prying ears-Only this:
S the door opened for his departure
le girl flung her arms about the
eek of Henry Wharton, who seemed
, have aged 20 years since the pre-
Gus day, and said:
"Forgive me! Oh. forgive mel
as so weak, but papa wanted me to
much and / had none to talk 10. {
l love you and honor I
,u-but not that way. Please for 7
We me. But I can't help II. can't. /
can't. / can't. have no right TO
! you go away this way, but you
ked me so plainly and I could not
lip telling you the truth"
The doctor gently disengaged her ?
ms and staggered out into the
rect. I
Archie Cunningham thought it a
ife queer that his wife was so in
tent that the first boy should be
med Henry Wharton Cunning u
m" but he was too much in love a a
tn his pretty wife to question her .
shes in the matter.