The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-05-09

ii the old man, after pause, looking sOr-
rowfully at the frank young face that
was bending over him. "It's a family
n failing, that is. All the Culvers mar
a rled-I married"
Here he groaned again.
Richard had a very vivid recollection
Il Of the selfish. exactlng woman whose
n death was the only real kindness she
4 ever did her husband, as we'll as the
y greatest possible relief.
n Don't you worry, uncle" he said,
clasping his warm fingers around the
N wrinked bloodless hand that was ly-
a ing upon the counterpane. 81 don't
mean to be fooled by any woman. In
fact. don't think I shall ever marry"
"That's what all young men say;
that's what ! said. But you'll do it;
and I'm not going TO waste my breath
in asking you not to do 1t. Only don't
propose by gaslight If you do, ten to
one you'll be sorry for it all the rest
of your life. If you fall in love with
n a pretty woman got up for the occa-
sion, and feel tempted to tell lrer so
by gaslight, just sleep on it. If you
must make a fool of yourself, let it be
in the morning, when you know what
you are about"
There was not much that Richard
would not have promised the eccentric
old man, who, in spite of all his oddl-
ties had been to him so kind and gen
erous friend, especially at q time like
this.
So he gave the required promise, to
his unces visible relief, who said no
more, except to enjoin his nephew to
have him buried in a remote corner
of the cemetery, as far as possible
from the late Mrs. Culver.
81 think / shall rest better" he said;
these brief words being a whole com
mentary on the unquiet life he had led
with her who was, in popular par
lance, "the gentle soother of his cares
and Sorrows"
Whether 1t was family trait or not,
Richard certainly had very kindly
feeling toward everything in the guise
of womanhood, from the fair and dain-
ty creatures who smiled upon him
from out their marvellous adornments
to the more material and matter-of fact
specimens who got up his linen and
scrubbed out his Office.
Fine looking and with the double adj
vantage Of wealth and social standing.
our hero was the recipient of many at
tentions from anxious mammas and
marrlageable daughters, but whether
1t was the effect of his uncle's i'll luck,
and consequent warnings, or because
he liked them all too we'll to have any
individual preference, he remained
heart whole until he met Miss Ida Sell
wyn.
1t was genuine case of love at first
sight, so far as he was concerned at
least. Her complexion was so brilliant
she had such lovely dark eyes, and
such pretty way of raising them to
his and then letting them droop until
the long, jetty lashes rested quivering
~ upon the rosy cheek, that he was
quite captlvated by their magic spell
Day by day the charm grew stronger
TO which he was such willing captive
until he finally felt that to win her fol
his wife would be the crowning joy an(
triumph of his life.
strong impulse came over him Il
tell her this. as he was seated alone
with her one evening in cozy corner
OF her fathers parlor. Ida had jus
been singing and playing for him on,
OF those sweet and tender strain.
which take such a strong hold on tn,
heart and imagination OF youth.
AS he saw the soft light that broodeC
IN the dark eyes that were turned upol
MIN he was almost sure that she woult
lend a favorable ear to the story tina
was trembling upon his lips.
In trying to clothe in words the tn
multuous thoughts that were strug
cling for utterance, Richard lifted hi
eyes to the Jets of fame that cast sucl
SOFT subdued radiance around. A
he did so there flashed upon his min,
MS uncle's dying injunction and hi
own promise. sInstead of the bloom
ing countenance ON which he was ga2
ing with all y lovers rapture he saw
wrinkled face. surmounted by thir
gray locks. whltened more by sorrow
than years; he heard again those fee
Die, TREMENDOUSLY spoken words: "Neve
propose TO a woman by gaslight IN
dear boy!
True, 1t was foolish promise I
give, but he had given it, He felt thl
TO be the most favorable time and or
portunity, but lie would not break hi
word, even to win the woman VIII
seemed to him TO be the embodlmeu
OF all womanly grace and goodness.
Our hero had arranged to leave tow
the next day on trip to the noun
ans, TO be gone several weeks, and h
determined that he would not 90 witt
out telling the story that had so nearl
escaped his lips the evening before.
1t was nearly 10 when he starte
out upon his eiranl. A good night
sleep, and the fresh breeze and cain
clear light o. that bea itiful morning
spring had cooled somewhat the fevs
that was more of tho brain than I'll
heart, and more of the senses tha
either.
And as he tried 10 recall the wort
winch rose so readily 10 his llps a fe
hours ago. and which then appeared ,
easy to speak and appropriate to IL
occasion. but which now sounded !
nat strained and unnatural that he r
Jected them in disgust, he began
think that II his uncles advice we,
universally followed many of the pr
posalF made would never be made ,