South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-03-17


preached her seat, she looked up with such
frank, pleasant smile, aud moved her
shawl from the opposite seat, to make room
for him, with such a cordial air, that he
could not resist the temptation aud enjoy
her society.
Not much of it did he get, however, for,
after that pleasant reception, Mrs. Kate be-
took herself to her book again, aud never
even looked at him. By reyengiug himself,
Frank looked at her, and the more he look
ed the prettier she grew.
'She widow he thought. She's not
a day over one-and twenty, if she's that
| wonder If she is Toms sweetheart !?
And, strange to say, this reflection made
Frank feel like grinding his teeth at the
unconscious Tom, calmly enjoying his CT
gar in the smoking car.
The journey passed off without any spe-
cial incident, and without Mrs. Kate troub-
ling Frank, in the least, for any attenti tons.
At the station they found Black Bob a
waiting them with the big sleigh, aud
few minutes breezy sleigh ride brought them
| safely 10 the door of Toms home. If
Frank had found Kate Cameron pretty in her
hat and travelling wraps, when she took
them off, and showed the slight form, with
its graceful curves aud arches, he thought
her bewitchiug. OF course, he didn't care
anything about her but some way, it was
great relief to ind a certain pretty little
Minnie Brown, who was one of the holiday
party, Enthusiastically occupying the position
of Toms sweetheart, and putting Kate out
| of the question.
Before they had been there three days,
Frank begun to have an uncomfortable sensa-
ton under the left side of his vest whenever
Kate was near and Sunday morning,
when she came down dressed in a bewilder-
ing suit of velvet, ready for church he quite
gave up, aud owned to himself that he
loved every inch of her FROM the heels of
her tiny boots to the tips of her little blue
gloves.
Mrs. Kate was sharp enough very speed
lily to see how the land lay but she never
gave one sign that she cared a straw for
him, and Frank tormented himself daily
with hopes and fears, after the usual fash
ion of lovers.
grand party on New Years nigh, and all the
young people in the neighborhood were in
vited in to assist in the merry-making.
Late in the evening, silent figure sat
by the dim library fire, having stolen away
from the revelry below stairs to indulge in
a moments quiet reverie. Presently the
door pushed softly open, and the faint light
glistencd on Kate Cameron's blue robes, as
she came forward and addressed the figure
10 the chair.
/ Why, Tom, old fellow, what is the mat
ter Have you got it of the blues?
A deep sigh was her only answer
Why, dear, dear, il is worse than |
thought, laughed Kate. Have yon been
quarreling with Minnie Brown Tell me
all about it.
And, with cousinly freedom, she laid her
hand upon his head
The little hand was quickly imprisoned
and carried to the lips of the silent figure
and then Kate stopped and looked into the
face, not of her Cousin Tom, but Frank
Worthington.
She gave vent to a low exclamation, and
would have fed instantly, but Frank took
good care to bold fast to his little white pris-
oner and detain her.
1t isn't Tom, but don't 20, be pleaded
Stay with me, Mrs. Cameron-dear Kate,
Tom dosen't love you half 50 we'll as do
How do you know whispered Kate,
shily.
Because Tom only loves you as a cousin,
and lob, Kate, l love you better than my
life
But you have known me such little
while.
Ies-and might never have known you
at all if Tom, the blessed old boy, hadn't
deceived me, aud made me believe il was
an old lady who was to come down with US
! know-Tom told me al about it, laugh
ed Kate
Did he? But you will forgive me, Katy,
darling, because love you SO, and learn to
love me little, won't you pleaded Frank,
boldly throwing one arm around her, and
drawing her down by his side.
I'm afraid / have learned that already,
whispered she, frankly.
And then-l}ut then neither you nor I,
reader dear, have any business listening to
love secrets 10 the 6re-ligbtcd library, so /
wont tell you what then.
But / will tell that, when next New
Years came, Frank and the bewitcbing WI.
dow we're visiting at Tom again but she
was a widow no longer, and they called her
Mrs. Worthington.
REA schoolmaster tela the fol1owing