South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1867-04-05

claimed, suddenly starting up with an EN-.
phasis that made Aunt Eloisc drop her gold
essence bottle, 'you think me mere butter
6y that cares for dress aud Jewels only
Now listen TO me: For one year from this
time--for one year, miud---l pledge my
self to wear no silks orjewels. viii YOU
believe in me at the years endr
Il shall think you very extraordinary
young lady, Maudc, bu,--cxcusc me, dar
ling have no very strong faith in your
persistence
: You will sce,' said Maude, shaking her
cnrls triumphantly. Ard Oh, paps-~if-'
'Maudc, said Mr. Bryant, with quiet dc.
cision, have already answered you--my
decree admits Of no appeal
She would not cry any more, this naughty lit
tie girl she was too proud To cry but she rose
up and went away with compressed lips and eyes
whose glitter was sadder far than wars.
~ won't be discouraged, for all that she
thought. 81 'ciH show papa that am something
more than q doll"
'Maude, you are not going to Mrs. IIemin-
ways in that dress u
Mrs. Harrington, superb In winc-colored vel
vet with garnets blazing round her plump throat
and at her wrists, stood Mortified as Mandc came
tripping down stairs
why not, Aunt Eloisc? think the dress Is
very neat
Mr.. Bryant looked up from his evening paper
at the slender figure in white, floating muslin,
with white roses hanging in among the blue black
curls that touched her shoulders.
IL think So too, he said quietly.
Stuff and nonscnsc! angrily exclaimed Aunt
Eloise. "Richafd Bryants daughter in white
muslin with paltry muslin In her hair You
should have worn pink satin and diamonds
81 shall wear no more silks and jewels, aunt,
said the little lady, very decidedly.
wow, Richard, said Mrs. Harrington TO her
brother, ARE you going Ia allow this ? She will
set half New York talking
"Maude shall do us she plcases, said the mer-
chant quietly and Maude gave him alright CRATE
full glance rs she fattcred away like some snow
bird
The next morning a small triangular casket Of
amethyst velvet lay beside Mau,ies plate at the
breakfast table. She took IL up with an inquir-
ing look at her father.
Your birth day, my child" he said. simply.
She opened the clsket with n low exclamation
of delight as her eve fell on the white CLEAN of a
magnificent nearl necklace.
''Uh, papa how splendid this is Don't they
look like drops of frozen moonlight And have
always So longed for pearls %
Mrs. Harrington looked complaccn,ly on.
"rhey will be the very thing 10 wear TO- nxht
with your white silk dress
My white silk dress H. Maude paused alb
ruptly, while deep crimson 6ush stole her
fair forehead. She rose aud crept softly around
~ her father 3 side
Papa, am very much Obliged TO you--Lut--
but had rathcr.nOt take the pearls
Not take them, Maude -
No, papa-you remember nv resolution.
''Maude - exclaimed Acnt Bose, you will
never be- so absurd IN refuse that pearl necklace
that Royal Princess might be proud to wear,
just because of a within 80
cit Is not n within Aunt EIoisc"
And no amount of coaxing or bantcring could
induce Maudc Bryant To take the pearls.
give me a bud from the conservatory, papa
or bit OF book, such rs used 10 have when
was wee thing, and I'll value IL for your sake
as long as live; but cant I take the pearls -
so the merchant with curious moisture in his
eye gave her kiss and told her ''ihat would
have To do"
And the weeks aud months passed on and
haudc, surrounded by temptations on every side,
thought of Charley May, and resisted them all.
'Maude, said the old man, suddenly, one day,
''when did you last hear from young Nayf'
Last hear FROM him, papa2 Never since the
day he went away"
do you mean to tell rue that you do not cor
respond with him3
"No, papa; you told me not TO, and have o.
'And has he never written r.
Never, sir.
Then most probably he has forgotten You"
"$o, papa know he has not forgotten me -
You re a curious girl, Maude said her faith
En- carcssiDgly strOking down the bright black
curis "Nevcr mind, pet when your year Of
calico Is over u give sou present that shall
please you passing we'll"
81 don twant any present, papa, said NaBdc,
Wistfully looking ~ into his face. "Oh, papa,
there is only one thing 10 the world that DO
want"
And that you known very well you eau't
have, said the merchant, sturdily Aud so the
cOlloquy terminated.
lob, Aun, Bloise, what magnificent silk
real gold color, isn't Z"
eyes, ! think IL is rather handsome said Mrs.
Harrington, compacently. 90 ordered IL import
ed myself See-it shines like sheet Of gold in
the gss-light"
"Who Is IL for p
lyon, to be sure, child--for Oriens Sykes we'd
ding reception
Maude shook her head demureiy.
"Why, Aande, what will you wear You
must have a new silk.
Naude caught her fathers eye 61ed earnestly
upon her. In an instant her resolution was taken
81 shall wear calico, Aunt Eioiss"
Calico 10 Mrs. Sykes wedding reception? p
f'Nhy not, aunt %
lyon dare not thus defy society"
'Dare not q
That was al Mauds said. The year Of ordeal
was Up that night, and she had stood brsVely %
her oolors. SIR. Bryant did not often attend par
ties, bat he went 10 Mrs. sykes that evening with
out lis daughter knowledge, sBd stood leaning
against door casing watching the brilliant dew
Otees Of fashion they entered in giittering per-
TUNED thrOngs Watching them with an anxious
eye. Would Maude waver aor7 Was her will no
stronger than that q i've hundred other women
Presently she came, AZ lovely ~ ever, the thrOng
parting on either side, eas she advanced up the
room AZ ibe side Of her portly, ve1ed-lOokiDg
Aunt Harrington. What Was ihe murmur that
reached has ears
Pink Calico Calico l--impossible7 Miss
Bryant wear Calico, indeed GIaes, more likely.
or MORE antique Actually calico2 What
strange within But Maude bryant looks lovely
10 ANYTHING %