Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-06-15

ra-ement was entirely broken on
This doesn't look like IL; but I mean
20 lnovv for certain"
Weaver had long been Hepburn's
most persistent rival. The lady in the
ca~e was prize well worth any mans
earnest efforts 20 win. and when
Frank Hepburn's engagement 20 her
was announced. none 81 her admirers
felt half the chaCrfn that seized Weav-
OF. he had felt almost certain of win
n5n- her himself az one time. and. in
the expectation Of handling her snug
fortune. had incurred certain debts
which. according 20 the rude fashion
az debts. were now staring him in the
face" Great then. had been his salts
faction when a report reached him OF
the broken engagement. and ne i'm
meriiately called on Miss Wiley. she
received him cordially. and Ia The two
succeeding weeks he frequently re
peated the call.
Il viii strike while the iron - hot. -
b. laid 20 himself. and. on thss very
evening. had determined TO know his
fate. when the sight OF Hepburn's let
ter upset his plans
! wiu know what is in IT," he
thought. desperately. Il can open it,
ir's very carelessly sealed. Hepburn
shall not come between us again il I
o-n hep it.-
He hurried home, and holding the
envelope over a steaming kettle in his
mother kitchen soon had Sis coveted
contents In his hand. IL ran thus:
~Bsrtha. Dear vsz wrong and 20,
were right Can come AID o. forgiven
! a4vs q Are business cfrer from q house Dbl
e. Paul. q Go rCt gct q favorable reply
from you ro-UorroN I shlI accept DO. and
g INN eclateiy- Lie without sou 81 uner-
durable 1Cre- PRANK
You viii set no answer to-mor
row" Weaver muttered; .and once
safe in the west. my coast IS clear
I " hat an idiot 20 intrusf ali his happi
meas 10 o letter, But, then. he's &C
terribly proud; he thought II would
| hurt his dignity less 70 write q note
4 than seek an Interview
On the day after Weaver obtained
this letter. he watched Hepburn mar
rovrly. and saw he was restless ans
nervous. and by night that he wa
/ pale and WEAK. The next DAY he dc
not APPEAR 90 the Office. aud wore
came that he was sick
Packing up for -. Paul. Weaver
sneered 20 himself Its just an en-
/ cuse.~
bur frank Hepburn's was no as
/ stunned illness "A bad case OF brais
I fever the doctor said. a. ne gaze,
with uaOre than professional interek
On the young man lying before him
/ Hin brown eyes were wide open. an,
resfIefsiy flying from one face 20 an
( other, a. IL in search OF one tha
never came, while his parched tongu
/ constantly formed the word bertha,
( gently and plesdingiy spoken as lon
a. his strength permitted him 20 ui
ter H. Then. a. he became weaker
I Only a half inariicuiate murmu
grcefed the ears of the anxiou
watchers who bent above him.
Who - Bertha7~ the physician =
last. asked the weeping. gray-haire
4 mother. who had come from a distan
city 20 care Tor her only son. 'W
Jnusf End her. ! haze done al ca
for his body. bat only her coming ca
relieve his mind. And be addes
softly. she mest come soon"
At tbe Office fhings went or as nst
al Weaver noticed Franks desk =
manned vacant. but he said 20 hinnssl
swhen the clerks spoke Of has iiineSs
'.Nen d0n't die Of Drokea heart
and ne viii recover. cured OF b
fancy
lie could not. however. bring him
! sssf 20 destroy the stolen letter. Dn
when alone. constantly took il froI
his pocket and glanced az 81
One DAY. while doing 80. Mr.. wad
suddenly entered the room Hastil
slipping IS pneeT pile Of biss. wes'
o. Looked %.
MI BssssE' ss s@ysyss ~