South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-03-17
The Bewitching Widow.
BY MATTE DYER BRIrrs.

Just before dark one evening, Tom Cour-
tenay came into the little Office where Frank
Worthington kept his dusty law books, and
helped himself to a chair aud cigar, with a
quiet make-yo urself-at-home sort of GOODNESS
which showed him no stranger to the prem
Uses.
well, Frank, said he, we got through
the last case to-day, and am ready to be
off home tomorrow. You promised TO go
with me, remember.
mo need to remind me of it, old fellow
laughed Frank. I've endured the horrors
of a clearinghouse too long not to jump at
the chance of trying country living awhile
'Yuu can be ready by morning?'
OOH, yes IL won't take long to pack
my kit. | haven't any Saratoga trunk to
fill with hOunces and furbelows.'
'All right, then. We shall have cous-
10 of my mothers to 90 down with u.s.
The deuce We shall Tom, if it's girl
| won't go by George! got enough of
travelling with girls last summer
you will go. I'll never forgive you if
you DON'T
rs the cousin of the feminine persuasion ?
Yes, but she's not girl She is Sc
date widow lady, who goes down to make an
annual visit to us every Christmas
'Oh, that alters the case One of those
motherly, middle-aged ladies who make n
| feilow look respectable, as if he was travel
ing with his mother
Tom depressed an inclination to laugh,
and replied, so5erly:
Yes no doubt Mrs Cameron will appear
like a mother to both of us
Mrs Cameron. A good, old, respectable
name,' repeated Frank. 'Has she money,
Tom
'Well-yes, a fair little fortune
'Andyou may stand chance in her will p
Possibly
Yes Well, my boy, you are quite right
10 be attentive to your mothers elderly re-
lation. No doubt Mrs. Cameron will be an
addition to our journey.
Decidedly said Tom, feeling it about
time for him to get out Of that Office, where
he could indulge in the laugh he had rea-
sons for wanting, and rising as he spoke. -
You II meet US at the depot at seven in the
morning p
i will
SHARP seven, remember
Yes. And time aud railroad cars wait
ava ~ hduY W WtHldh tllbCT. DepeDu on
me- Tom, ard just look after chat elderly
cousin
III do it Good night, them
Goodnight, old fellow
And Tom went out, Frank arose and
began to put his Office in order, and make
some preparations for his Christmas jour
Dey.
lie meant to be up very early next morn
ing, but oversight himself, and reached
the depot only five minutes before traintime
lie went hastily into the ladies room, sup
posing Tom would be there with Mrs. Cam
cron. The room, however had but one oc-
cupant, bright faced lady in a stylish |
black-aud-white travelling suit with long
white plume dropping over a conquetish
black velvet hat She turned a pair Of
saucy brown eyes upon Frank as he entered, |
glanced around and beat hasty retreat
'Wheu what pretty girl Glad
don't have her to dangla after, and wait on,
though thought he. Where the dickens
is Tom "
He hunted through the crowd, aod, just
as the train was about starting, saw Tom on
the platform.
'Ah, here you are BE quick, now =
hailed Tom. Il thought you were about to
give me the slip after ALL
NO danger | slept late, that's ALL
They went in the car, as the ponderous
wheels rolled of, and as they opened the I.
door, Frank got a glimpse Of the pretty
girl With white plume, seated inside.
Did your cousin come 2 he asked Of Tom
les, I'll introduce you
Tom marched straight down the narrow
aisle 70 that very girls seat, and as she .
rose With bcwitchiDg smile, Tom intro .
duced
Mrs. Cameron, this is my friend Mr.. .
Worthington. Ny cousin, Kate Cameron,
Frank
Poor Frank You might have kuoc ked
him down with knitting needle But he
was gentleman enough 10 stammer some re-
sponce' 70 the beautiful lady's courteous
greetings, and try 90 recover from his con-
fusion as best be might.
Half an hour later, he and Tom were
standing together on tho car platform, and
then Biz wrath had vent.
Tom Courton1y, I'll never forgive you .
- on will. | bad to deceive you, so
that sou wouldn't act like fool. and disap-
point me Of your visit But Kate will nei-
Their eat you up nor fall in love With you.
so you need not be afraid
Don't expect me to pay attention 20 her,
Hold on there, she hasn't give you a
chance yet. Kate's quite belle in city
society and awful particular in her company.