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

thrown great dcal into Miss Denning So
ciety. She planned, Sol,ings, rides, pic
mics, &C., &c, aud, as Mr.. Earle naturally
attended his sisters guest, it gave color To
the idea conveyed by her frequent hints TO
ner large circle Of acquaintance. and of
which her brother was in total ignorance.
He made various attempts 10 obtain Sc
cond interview with Florence; but, though
he bad occasional glimpses of her, she seem
cd studious!y to avoid having any CONVEX
sation with him, and If Mrs. Eaton did not
do her best 10 second her endeavors, appear
ances were very much against her.
Mr.. Earle was not so unconscious Of all
this as he seemed to be. lie had strong
will of his own, though quiet way of as
sorting it and patiently bided his time.
One evening, he returned from out of
town quite unexpectedly. Mrs Eaton and
Miss Denning were both out but Jennie,
who was sitting with her governess in the
back parlor, hearing her uncle voice in tho
hall, pouhccd out, and capturing him, es-
corted him in triumph, rs by no means un-
willing captive, into the room.
Florence was sitting by the drop-light,
sewing, She arose from her seat as Mr.
Earle entered, as if meditafYhg n retreat !;
but upon Mr.. Earle declaring, that as he
was the intruder, he should leave the room,
unless she resumed her seat, she did so,
though with evident reluctance.
Now for story, uncle WILL said Jen-
ME, after carefully depositing her uncle up
on the sofa, she took a seat on his knee
And let it be true one; something that
you used to do when you was little boy!
That is too far back But | will tell
something that happened to me when was
a big boy, almost as big as am now. Once
upon time, ten long years ago, | used to
know sweet little girl, just about your age
what was her name 2
'ller name? Let me see; her name was
Florence
why that is Miss Milberry's name
said Jennie, in tone of surprise. But 90
on. Was the little girl pretty and good p
She was very pretty and very good.
loved her very dearly, and she was very
fond of me. used to take her on my knee
and tell her stories, very much as do you.
She called me brother Willie; for then
expected to marry her sister, and that would
have made me her brother, you know
WAS the little girls sister pretty and
good too!'
She was very pretty, and no worse than
good many other people But she liked a
fine house and beautiful dresses, which
could not give her, for | was poor then so
when man camo that could, she said that
she would rather marry him than me. OF
course, felt very badly. Now what do
you think that little Florence, the dear
child that loved so, said to comfort me p
q don't know. Whatdm she say, uuclc?'
'She put her arms around my neck and
laid her cheek close to mine, saying: Il
love you, Willie; when I'm big enough, 'IH
be your wife
80 my :" exclaimed Jennie wasn't that
cunning? What a nice story Go on,
uncle
There isn't a great deal more to tell
She gave me one Of her long curls and |
gave her one of my short ones. The next
day sailed across the water, and though !
went almost over the whole world, / kept
that little tross Of hair, aud never once for
cot the little girl that gave it to me- When
came back she had grown to be beauti-
fal young lady and when ] saw her, /
loved her more than ever. Now what do
you suppose she would say, if reminded
her of her promise Would she say: q
love you, Willie; now that I'm big enough
IH be your wifcY'
OF coprsc she would, uncle said Jen-
ME, holding her head with positive air.
Mr.. Earle glanced over 30 where Flor
cDce was sitting. Her head was bent over
her work, but he could see that her cheeks
were as bright as the crimson jacket she
was embroidering.
Il think / will ask her. he said, putting
Jennie off his knee, and taking a seat By
Flurence's side.
is that your answer, Florence he Hbis.
pcrcd
II thought you was going to marry
Miss DcnDing, she faltercd, making a faint
effort 10 release the hand he bad taken.
am going to marry the little lady who
gave me this, said Mr.. Earle, laying on
her lap the identical curl sho had given
him ten years before. That is, if she will
have me-
A few moments after, Jennie hearing
her mothers carriage, ran out into the hall
to meet her. She had a wonderful. but ra-
cher confused story 70 tell, ending with
And then, uncle Will kissed Miss Milber
~, and Miss Mulberry laid her head upon
his shoulder, and cried and then uncle
VIII, kissed her again = All Of which was
quite ineligible to Mrs Eaton who, after
the first yexation was over, wisely deter
mined to make the best Of what she couldn't
help She consoled herself by the reaec-
ton, that the Milberry's were Of good "a.
mily and highly connected I; so wLer her
brother introduced her, the NIT morning
10 his future wife, aud her sister. she agree.