South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-02-07


terview that will be as useless as unplcas-
ant, it is his That is, if my daughter is
willing to accord it. John addressing the
servant who answered her summons, tell
Miss Mulberry that Mr. Earle is here and
wishes to see her
The moments that interviewed seemed like
ages TO the heart to which this was the last
resource.
Then the door again swung uoiseicssly
upon its hinges, bringing with it the clear
" enumerated words:
Miss Mulberry is not at home 10 Mr.
Earle
Il trust that you are now satisfied said
Mrs. Mulberry, rising from her scat Il beg
that YOU will excuse me, a. have au en-
gagcment ut this hour that cannot be de-
ferred'
Like one in dream Mr.. Earle listened
to the rustic of the trailing robes across the
carpet, and the closing Of the door Strong
man he was, his brain reeed beneath the
suddcmncss Of the blow that crushed the
fond hopes of many pleasant months and,
ciasping his hands over his eyes, he sat mo-
! tionlcss, trying TO master the momentary
weakness that had ovetpowered him.
! The heaving curtains suddenly parted,
and little Florence stole out from the snug
retreat where she had opsconccd herself du-
ring this interview The large wistful
/ blue eyes were turned with look of ten
der compassion upon that bowed head
Stealing noisees~ly to his side, she laid
her head upon his knee.
I'm So sorry, Willie
/ As this did not seem to have the desired
effect, she clamhcrcd into his lap
/ Il love You, Willie, she said, laying her
check softly TO his
! This was too much.
'My little comforter" he said, putting
his arms around her as he spoke. My brave
defender. your love is very, uery precious
to me; and yet, oh child, you cannot
know how this wrngs my heart"
Il wouldn't mind it one bit TU be your
wife when get big enough
What will little Eddie Parsons do 2
said Mr.. Earle, smiling
| Florence shrugged her white, dimpled
! shoulders with true feminine disdain.
! Il don't care for Eddie Parsons but ]
/ love .yow oh SO dearly
! Mr.. Eail drew the little head down mp
on his shoulder, smoothing softly the rip
! ling hair from the snowy temples and a.
he looked upon the sweet, innocent face, all
aglow with the tenderness Of her fresh and
/ gulleIess nature, great calm fell upon bis
porturbed spirit
u am going away tomorrow, to be gone
long time; what is my little betroihcd
/ going to give me TO remember her by 2
Florence lifted up her head, pursuing up
her lips and brows with an air intensely re-
/ Elective.
IN give you the prcttiest thing have
/ There's my doll, that will open and shut
IFS eyes, and cry like a real baby but OF
course you don't care for dolls. But you
can have my box of puzzles, or my album,
Il think will take some Of this inter
rupted Mr.. Errle, lifting up tress of the
bright wavy hair.
Florence brought him the scissors from
her mothers work-box, and held her head
very still while he severed lock from it
where lac thought its loss would he least no
ticcd.
Now you must give me one Of your rret-
~ cprIs, she said, taking the scissors from
his hand.
With grave look on her little face, Flor
ence clipped of from the head that be bent
down to her one Of the jotty rings Of hair
that were the objcct Of her childish admi-
ration, and wrapping il in a bit Of paper,
tucked itiuto her pinufore, Mr.. Earle watch
ing her in the meantime with half-sld,
hoIfamuScd smile upon his lips.
The little lady refused to cat any supper
that night, much to the surprise Of nurse
who never Knew such thing to happen be.
fgrc-rcply ing to the anxious inquiries that
were put to her by such dolcfIl look, fol-.
loved by succession Of dccp.drtwu signs,
a. 10 turn that worthy individuals aston
iShmcnt into alarm. Much to the secret
Indignation Of her charge, it. was ascribed 10
an ulmcnt for which, 90 use her own words,
"a bot dish OF peppermint tea was tho SOW
erclgnc~t remedy IN the world and IT was
prepared accordingly But this Florence
disdaniuliy refused 20 touch, insisting on
sobIing herself to sleep in her little crib,
alter the most approved manner q modern
heroines.
As for Mr. Earle, all the mementocs Of
tho foir, false face that had 50 deceived and
betrayed him were crushed out of his sight
and remem brance; but that little shining
trcss lac carried with him in all bis subse-
qucnt wanderings. And many times, amid
all the busy changcs.of his busy life, did
there rise up before him the sweet face that
was laid 80 lovingly to his, the soft blue
eyes that had looked SO tenderly and pity
iDgiy into bis own.
Dear me how you hare grown. and
how brown and shaggy you are do de-
clare | never should have known Won y cx.