South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-08-18

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the happiness in store for Melissa.
Aud the next day Sylvia Dean, obedient
to her sisters behest, went out shopping to
do honor to the expected guests arrival
~ dollar and fifty cents, unused Sylvia
and L have only seventy five left Well,
there is but one thing to be done. Poor
Melissa will be so disappointed if 20 home
without the collar, and Melissa is nervous
and poorly, and can't bear disappointment
as l can. A bit of black ribbon will do
just as well for forlorn old maid like me-
The pin always was piece Of extravagancc'
Aud Sylvia Dean trotted briskly down
the street to a jewelers., where she took
out the little gold ivy leaf that fastened her
plain linen collar.
IF you please, sir, would like to sell
this pin. How much
Il can't afford to give you more than
dollar, ma'am, interrupted the jeweler,
cycling tho old-fashioned ornament with
contemptuous scrutiny.
well, | must take a dollar, them said
! Sylvia, with meek, balf-smothered sigh.
And she received the dollar that seemed so
poor an equivalent for the cherished pin
and went back to purchase tho coveted col
lar, bringing 1T triumphantly home, with a
yaTl of narrow pink ribbon for poor Melis-
sa's shrunkon throat.
Walter used to like pink, said Sylvia,
as she pinned the bow upon the neck of
Melissas dress, and stepped back a little to
look at the effect. To Sylvia, her sister
was still beautiful as Lcbe Her allegiance
bad never once Swerved or altered from the
fond faith of her youth.
I'll tell you what, Sylvia said Melissa
| carefully brushing her scant trcsses-alas
for their vanished gold over the heated
curling stick, you had better lend me your
black silk dress. Mine is too shabby to
wear, and you have kept yours so neatly
'And what shall wear p humbly sug-
gcsted tho younger sister.
oh, gingham is good enough for you
Walter Rochcfort won't notice what you
wear =
That's true enough, said Sylvia, with
n Sigh, aud she set TO work busily altering
the black silk dress, which looked only one
degree less shabby than Melissa's own
And she took the little coral earring out of
her ears and put them in Melissa's, and al
most wished she could reinforce Melissa 8
thin, tony hair from the abundance of her
own shining brown tresses.
you look very nice dear, she said soft
| ly, when all was done 'and-and how do
| look 2
ooh, you look well enough said Mclis-
sa, without turning her head to observe
Don't tease me, Sylvia | am just finish
ing my last curl
So the two sisters sat down by their neat
fireside, to await the coming of the old
friend who had made his fortune Aud the
tears came unbidden into Sylvia's eyes, as
she thought how lonely that Preside would
be when Melissa was married to Walter
Rochefort, and gone.
But l am selfish to feel so,' thought
Sylvia. 4 ought only to think Of McIissa's
happiness.
'Mclissa's voice chimed in the very key
note of Sylvia's musings
d suppose you will keep tho school on,
II | marry Walter, Sylvan It's a nice G.
nough place for you. OF course you can't
expect to come and live with US.
No; certainly not, said Sylvia, feel
ing guilty conscious that she had thought
how very nice such an arrangement would
be. 'As you say, Melissa, l can keep Cd
tho school,
There's the bell, exclaimed Melissa. -
Run to tho door, Sylvia; can't be jump
ing up and down stairs, like a bouscmaid' =
O5cdicut Sylvia went; and as the ball
door was closed, Walter Bochefort took her
in bis arms aud kissed her.
That's for old times, Sylvia, he said
gayly, don't look no astonishsG. Surely
you knew Of ny love long before | went
away
q did not know Of it, Walter said syl-
via, blusbing like a June rose at tho un-
expected kiss bu, suspected IT,
And now said Mr. Eochef0rt, With q
face q calm determination, q must have
this matter settled before VIC 60 up stairs to
your sister
'What mater, Walter p
'Whothcr you will marry me Or uotY
o., WaltcrY
You, Sylvia
But, Walter, ] thought it was Melissa "
Not at ALL said Walter. most decided
ly. 10 is you ! want Can I have you p
cob, Walter, somehow can't believe 10 %
Not very direct answer, but sufficiently
explicit for Mr.. Rocbefort, who straight
way repeated The offence of tho kiss. and
led Sylvia up stairs 20 Melissa
'She has promised 70 marry me, Melissa.
aud that makes us brother aud sister, YOU
know vas bis cordial greeting
Melissa gazed, thuudcr-struck The
brown glUgham and 'bo pinless collar had
won Tho prize ca-d, after all
But you know, Melissa, you 1.-Two with
us, Of course, faltcrcd Sylvia, who felt al
most as IF she bad done her sister some ir-
TUf H III nHf. la.