Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-05-23
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CtuluIy. IL COulu uOt uNilSI tSuos
Then there were no photographs, no
daguerreotypes. The only pictures made
were oil portraits or miniatures. 1t was
possible for people often to know a
good deal of one another without any
idea of each others personal appear
ance.
Early in 49, Marshall Gaylord, q
young New Yorker, started for ST.
Louis. Crossing the Allegheny noun
tains in stagecoach, he fell in with
Arnold Bradford, and the two became
quite intimate. At Pittsburg Bradford
was taken i'll, and Gaylord remained
and nursed him. Bradford died, and
before his death he cOnfded to his
friend that he was expected In st.
Louis to marry cousin whom he had
never seen and who had never seen
him, the match having been arranged
by their parents. He charged Gaylord
to go TO his cousin as soon as he reach
ed st. Louis and inform her of her
fiance's death Gaylord was charged
to break the news as carefully as pos
sible, for the young lady was in deli
cate health.
When Gaylord reached st. Louis, in
stead Of calling at the house he sought
the office of Mr.. st. Clair, the father of
Elise st. Clair. the young lady in Ques-
ton, and told him what had occurred.
The news plunged the father into pro
found grief, for his daughter was very
i'll, and they were all looking for the
arrival of her lover, hoping that the
pleasure of meeting him would give
her new lease of life. Now 1t was
to be feared that the shock would kill
her.
Mr. st. Clair took Gaylord to his
home and leaving him in the drawing
room, went to inform MS wife Of the
danger that threatened their daughter.
Mrs. ST. Clair presently came to re-
ceive Gaylord and, with great hesitan
cy and embarrassment. made the re-
quest that he would FOR q brief period.
till her daughter should be out of dan
ger, personate the dead Arnold Brad
ford. Gaylord shrank from playing
such Il part but was not in IL position
to refuse. Mrs. st. Clair announced !
to her daughter that her lover had ar
rived and the girl was made ready to |
receive him. Gaylord was conducted |
up stairs and ushered into Elise's pres
ence.
GaylOrds emotions may be more
readily imagined than expressed. Re
aliZing that life might be dependent
upon him. he nerved himself to act
with as much feeling and delicacy as
possible. He saw a pale girl prOpped
up with pillows. her faring dark eyes
darker from contrast with her white
turned upon him with in.
tense expectancy. The moment she
caught sight Of him her face lighted
up with pleasure. Mrs. St Clair. who
was watching the meeting, breathed n
SIGH OF relief. Approaching Elise, Gay
lord took her thin hand and kissed it,
Poor childr he said feelingly of
may be instrumental In keeping you
for your father, your mother H.
hcsitated.
yourself" she said.
"Myself'-his voice sounded strange
70 him-"there shall he no limit TO my
Now that have seen you wish
10 live all the more"
You will live. sweetheart"
From this point Gaylord not only
Ost consciousness of the deception he
)racticed but felt his part.
Eyes, | will live" said the girl. 81
eel 1t; know it. Providence has sent
Iou to me to make me happy. My life
shall be devoted to making you hap
~"
You must be patient and avail your
'elf or every chance. The spring is
coming on, and the warm sunshine. the
caves sprouting on the trees, the sing.
ng birds. will put new life into Won.
every day Shall note your gain. Now.
am sure | have been with YOU as
ong as it is prudent for this first meet
n.y." |
lie pressed her hand and was about {
o leave her when he saw mild re-
'rOach in her eye. He knew what II
meant and. bending kissed her.
Gaylord knew that if Elise st. Clair
Mould be won back to health she I
would be Informed of the deceit and
is reason and he would be an honora- .
'ly discharged lover. But he feared l
hat the means of cure might in the
ND be worse than the disease. Yet
'e was not thinking of this. His whole
leart had gone out to the girl whose
Ire he hoped to save. Descending to
he drawing room. he found Mr.. st.
lair. who. attempting to express his '
hanks. broke down under his embar- {
assment. Gaylord with a few words I
ut new phase upon the situation. S
mfr. st. Clair" he said. 81 beg to be {
an applicant for your e
aughtcr's hand. This is not the time @
tell You who | am. my position or b
1t is only fit that | should q
ay that my heart has gone out to the 4
ovely girl who believes me to be her Il
s
From the moment Gaylord spoke
hese few words all was changed. He
listed the house and the invalid daily.
ringing flowers and fruit, and it was Il
vident that Elses interest in him 4
'as eifecting cure. In few weeks "
he was well enough to drive out and d
er lovers predictions as to the revlv- j
~ influence Of spring were realized. Il
When she had completely recovered g
aylOrd confessed the deception and
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