Middletown transcript., 1904-09-10
[coNrlNuED FROM LAST WEEK.

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library that evening, and told Inn OF
having ridden all day to do the business
which had troubled him? Yet never
word Of meeting or Of escort and when
the old man, listening appalled, at, her
daring, burst into chiding bofn-of grief
rather than OF anger, she answered moth
ing
s.You have had your head too long, by
far too long, monkey wench that you
are" he stormed. 4Good God, glri
what might have befallen you1and
thinking you safe but two miles distant
at your Cousin Elsa's? I,vcw you shall
have husband to put a bit IN your
mouth, and that right speedily. II an
old man cannot manage yon young
man should do better. This day week
come Give Newcome and his father, and
by the Lord Harry You shall not trii1e
with another. wooer. Get you 70 peo-
and, no / will not have goodnight
from such willful wench. Mind YOU
this day week And you are to FAY yes
when he asks. DO you hear :"
Yet although she fell asleep without
the usual fatherly caress, another KISS
was dream pressed upon her llps-that
kiss in Durham Woods
Before the weeks end Virginia ilad
recovered her wild-rose bloom and her
gayety, with steadied nerves. She teased
the servants, who adored- her but the
more she petted her father with such
charming little graces that he could do
no less than submit; her meadow-iarK
voice sounded gloriorsly about the house
in melodies Of liyeliest measure; yet she
said no word anent the coming sultor,
and at times the sqnire's keen eyes would
catch her brooding with dropped lashes
to start like one taken unawares II he.
smoke, However, he said nothing iIitiF
the eve Of his guests arrival, when she.
came downstairs in trailing Whiteness
Of India null, which set off wondroasiy
her bare arms and neck, with their CIR
clets of slimmering pearls Seeing her
dressed, as it we're, for the sacrifice, his
heart smote him, and lie took his darling
in great embrace.
Virginia, this Give Newconie is
noble youth if like his father. Yet you
shall not go to him if you would wed
some other. Tell me, istheretaiy whom
you love? -
"Only you, sir, 'tsLe a1tswer9ds laugh.
ing. "0nly you,
But the laugh died SO quickly that she
laughed again to hide,if-for. !jke picture
Of the mist passed between her fathers
face and her own another face .which
drew her, yet at which she Eard1 y dared
to looE-a face whose eyes heid hers
compellingly with the memory OF kiss
and behind him and her lay tile twI-
light shadows OF Durham Woods ! Then
there was roll Of wheels, and size ran
to the parlor window-for it is difficult
to be unhappy at eighteen when one has
had a score of lovers and knows that one
is born to please. Oh, size would lead
him a pretty chase-truly she would
He should not find her easily won, even
if marry him SHE must. No doubt he
thought that lie had but to say the
word, and she would fall into his arms
because they had been pledged to each
other in childhood, Out upon such
pledging! He should WOO her with
many a misgiying, as all the rest had
done. Ira, la, la he must dance to her
piping during courtship at any rate !!
She unfurled her great white silk ian,
smiling over the top Of il into the court
below-where size dimly saw two gentle
men descending from a travelling coach.
The coach lamps fared up and she could
tell that one OF the newcomers had
turn and a poise that minded her OF
somebody else-someN here-what place
was it? Hasten, Fate-liasien for
youth and beauty await your coming.
But what about Love? There was
swing OF opening outer door, there were
steps along the hall.
"a thousand welcomes to Faulkner
Place." the squire said heartily-and the
two old men i'll simply-made dark small
clothes embraced each other on the par
lor threshold. "Ah, time stands still
with you, my fdus Acl,ates.' Were it not
for this youth could think you a lad
again. But these cllildren-what mile
stones they are along the road Of life.
would show you my milestone. Nir-
ginia! Has she run away, then? What
kitten trick But, no-here she is. Ny
daughter Virginia, Judge Newcome.n
1t was ruddy-cheeked man Of superb
physique who advanced when she 4et
the window draperies fall together behind
her, and one to whom her liking went
out warmly as he took her hands in his
with kindly words and look then she
was courtesying to another, as tall, more
slender, who bowed very low with the
grace of born courtliness and >city breed
ing-an exquisite in brocaded ruby vel
vet, white satin vest, and ruffies of point
She had but time to think that all this
bravery was brought to her wooing, when
she lifted her eyes from his diamond
shoe-buckIes, and he from the tips OF
her white satin shppers-and they stood,
wordless, with more than red OF fire-glow
or candle-light upon their faces. Where
were the saucy nothings with which she
had planned to greet him? Where were
the easy compliments with which he was
used to meet maid?, The two old men
looked at them and smiled, for both hesi-
tated in the center OF the polished floor,
as if called from some other world to
meet unexpectedly in this. Wonder,
confusion, apprehension, dismay-such
. emotion in its turn was painted upon the
very air about them, for love comes in
various guises land surely this must be
love al first sight, thought the watching
father: Then Pompey appeared to sum-