The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-01-01
EVANSVILLE, CALHOUN COUNTY, w. VA

Lindsey made no reference to the
past, she trusted that the circum-
stance had been blotted from his
mind.
After dinner was over, Judge Lind
sey begged the young lady TO favor
him with some music, and she COM
plying, he conducted her TO the piano.
Her playing was at first nervous and
unequal, but as the beauties of the
theme gradually developed, her
cheeks flushed, her rosy lips parted.
soft fire burned in her eyes, and
then flashed forth golden notes,
choral harmonies. and soft. dying
melodies.
Charming! eXquisitei" burst from
the lips OF her enraptured auditor.
us IL not?" she said, simply.
when l play that 1 always fancy
myself in some dim forest, and 1
think hear the wind signing amid
the pines. and the birds calling from
their green recesses."
Miss Westbrook," he returned,
gently, II know not which most to
praise, your admirable genius,
Pray don't compliment me-I do
not deserve praise; music for me is
pleasure, recreation. a delight"
If this lovely, artless child be not
Althea." he said to himself, II do not
care to find her"
The following afternoon saw him
again in the Van Dorm mansion. He
had given no card, but inquired sim
ply for Miss Althea, who, as she rec.
ognized him on entering, became
deadly pale. and trombled so violent
ly that it was with evident difficulty
she reached n sofa.
Miss Westbrook," commenced the
judge, who, while plying her agita-
ton, yet welcomed it as an omen OF
success Miss Westbrook, l have an
important question to ask you-but
first, have little story to tell. Some
months ago ] received n letter from
young lady, who signed her named
Althea. Shall ! repeat it,"
mo! no." she said, putting out
her fair hand as il to ward off a blow.
Il was mad, mad. to do so unwoman-
ly an act. oh, how you must despise
me-"
'Despise you, my dear child? l
have no other sentiment for you than
love and admiration" said Judge
Lindsey. impressively. For years
had closed my heart against all af-
lection, but your letter, so naive, so
imprudently and innocently frank,
thrilled through my being like a ray
of sunshine. And since the hour
received It, your fancied image has
continually haunted me. for, try as
would, 1 could not Danish you from
my thoughts. If I have loved you
not knowing you. how much deeper
is my affection now that have seen
you! And II you could return my
love, should consider that there was
nothing further I'm this life worth
asking for. Dear Althea, can you bid
me hope?" he added. with an inexpli-
cable culver ia his voice.
Althea did not speak; indeed, she
could not, but she lifted her eyes to
his, and smiling through her tears,
extended her fair hand. And Judge
Lindsey, completely mastered by the
outrush OF tenderness at the sudden
thought that this sweet young girl
really loved him, actually folded his
arms about her protectingly, and
kissed away the two large tears rest
ing on her cheeks.
Althea was not angry, but she
drew back a little in timld happiness,
and he could now sit beside her and
speak less constralnedly.
Ia half an hour he left the house
an engaged man, his soul not his own,
but in the keeping OF the fair young
girl, to whom he had bound himself.
New York Weekly.