South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-04-10
A long pause. Then the lady spoke a.

'Yes-quitc curious, L assure you,' said
John.
Anything that affects my daughter, of
course affects me-
ooh, certainly. Nothing more natural
Though the mnaner of announcing the
business is little out of the common way
with lawyers said Mrs. Rich, gayly, as if
she meant i; for n piece of pleasantly.
AS such John received it.
But quite womauly,' he said, with
laugh, 'if you'll permit me to say so. La
dies don't do business exactly as men do,
generally
That is true laughing in return, and
will no doubt serve as an explanation Of
ooh, no explanation is needed, Mrs. Rich
none at all
Il was about to say
Il beg you won't apologize, madam said
John, very much distressed by the prospect.
aud growing rapidly more confused.
Apologize, Mr.. Hamline
Not at all-not at all
Il meant to offer no apology, sir. do
not perceive any occasion for an apology
Not in the least, said John, more and
more abashed, and looking at his watch a
gain for assistance
IF you will be kind enough to proceed
to business, Mr. Iamline-'
Il shall be happy TO do so, said John,
assuming an attitude of respectful atten-
ton.
Mrs. Rich stared at him with unfeigued
establishment. Was the man crazy :?
'Will you be so good as to inform me
what the matter is which concerns my daugh
ter so nearly 2
1t was now Johns turn to stare.
Precisely what came here to learn he
cried
You speak in riddles, Mr. Hamline.-
When received your note
My note | have sent no note to you,
Mrs. Rich
The lady arose to her feet. John also.
Mrs. Rich touched bell 4 servant came.
go up and ask Miss Helen for the note
, that came from Mr. Hamline,' she said.
John toCk n note from his pocket with
new light breaking over his face.
ALLOW me to ask you, Mrs. Rich, if you
sent me this ?
Mrs. Rich glanced at it, and returned it.
y did not, she said.
Then it is the work of some practical TO-
! Hcr, said John. That is very plain
Tue door opened, and Helen Rich en-
tered, radiant with beauty that sent the
blood rushing to young Hamline's head -
! She brought the letter for which the SER
want had been dispatched.
Notwithstanding the mothers excite
mcnt, the breeding of the lady prevailed
and Mrs. Rich introduced Mr.. Uamline to
her daughter
She handed Linn the motto.
a forgery said he immediatelT. Both
these letters are the work Of the same ras
cally hand
At Grst, indignation prevailed but tc
this succeeded realization of the ludicrou,
aspect Of the affair, which recalled al! THEN
good nature, and in few minutes they
were laughing heartily, while John Ham.
line, forgetting to be basbful, fred a voley
Of 6on o'ots. And by-and-by, when lie lef
them, he said,
i really feel quite in forgiving MOOD
toward the scamp who got up this Joke
and | think ! know who it js-for no ha,
been the means Of introducing me to an nc.
quaintanceship which | might otherwise
never have formed, aud which | find mos
agreeable
Indeed, share your mood, said Mrs
Rich
('And 80 do T. said Helena
And ! hope you will come again Il
see as, Dir. Hamline-soon and often. w,
shall always be happy to see you
Aud so they were. But by and by, some
~ 1t happened that Mrs. Rich did noI
ieel as IT John cared 50 much for her soci
ETY. that he could not endure to be left a
lone with Miss Helen. So she tested th,
! question, and left them alone together 81
much that one day John Hamline a,kcl
permits ion TO be left with Holen for the re
lnaiuder Of his life.
Young IIawcs thought, when he heard o
the weddiug-'o which he was not invited
that his sell had worked very curiously
Hanged if | wouldn't like 10 be sol,
myself he exclaimed, 'atHe price"
/ Withoutdoubthe would -PaJiic Shirt
" - Il