South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-02-17

If not, child, then the poor old man
must lay his bones in the only refuge left
him-tbe almshouse'
His listeners were silent, from diferen,
emotions--Mrs. Desmond mortified that such
dreadful word should be uttered beneath
her roof
What would Leonard say p thought
the eldest daughter
Rosalie, less hardened, began to cry
but Mira, her eyes glistening, her cheeks
crimson, took the old mans hand.
'Never uncle, never while can work -
bent down before him, but did not speak.
you can remain for a few days, of
course, Martin will arrange about
room for YOU
And Mrs. Desmond, glad of an excuse
to end the interview, Withdrew.
Martin did not join his relatives again
that evening, but RENAME in the little
back bedroom where he was hidden away
Mira visiting him with cup of tea aud
plate of choice cake then, at the old mans
request, brought him lamp and writing
materials.
\ bright, cloudless morning of the lovely
Indian summer ushercd in Thanksgiving
Day. Oh how Irene hoped the uulucky
uncle might be too tired or too sick-she
cared not which-to leave his room but no
when they returned from church, there
he sat, 10 his old-fashioned, far-worn gar
ments, disgraciDg them all aud her cheek
burned as she slightly named him to the
elegant Leonard Graham, as 'Mr Martin
Desmond, relative Of my father But,
to her surprise, Leonard Immediately cross
cd the room and shook hands with the old
man
The refined Mrs. Thaycr looked extreme
~ disguised, and, when Martin spoke, half
closed her eyes, as if to ignore his presence
altogether, while George and his cousin
Rosalic exchanged gllnces and whispers
And yet the old mans replies to the dues-
tions of Leonard Graham evinced a STYLE of
language At variance with his appearance
and his manner plainly betokcned that he
had, ere now, looked or better days and
been accustomed to sit at good men : feasts'
The massive silver upon the table, and
the sumptuous fare of Thanksgiving Day
dinner, with the recherche dessert that sue
cccded, somewhat negatived Mrs. Dcs-
mond hnlf-expressed hints of their alter
ed circumstances but at length, the dinner
ended, greatly &c the relief of the entire
party.
Come, let us adjourn to the parlor, and
have some music-that is, we young peo-
Ple cried Irene, starting up 'for | see
aunt Thayer is going off to have confdeu-
tial chat with mamma
81 poor Martin was left alone Even
Mira disappeared, after seeing he had
. l., oI, h..
for the old back woodsman found the warmth
Of the room oppressive, accustomed as he
had been to the free air of the wild prairie.
They had dined late, and Thanksgiving
Day dinner is not to be hurried over. The
sun was almost setting as Mira, shading
her eyes from its rays, sought, in the sol-
tude of the now dcsolate garden, little
quiet nook, where she might, undsturbed,
/ give vent to the feeling which had, all day,
so saddcued her. How coldly her mother
I had treated the oil man. Irene had been
positively rude to him What would be-
come Of him when he left their roof Then
there was another sorrow, to which the poor
girl dared not give utterance.
'Alone, Mira, and tears in your eyes 2
Mr. Graham / believed you were in
the parlor with my sisters and cousin.
so / was, Mira but left il to seek you
TO seek me What will Irene
Mira, your sister appears to be under
some dclusi0u. IT'S true, / have met her
several times in company, and brought her
home, because that duty was assigned me
But never loved Irene, and beneath her
beauty discern vanity selfshness, and
unkuducss. Mira, yesterday, in passing, /
paused n moment al the window lt was
open, though the blinds were not raised
aud while there ] became an unintsuii1nal
eave,dropper. ! overheard your coura-
geous pleading for your old uncle to-day
J witnessed your attentions 90 him and said,
Mira Desmond shall be- my wife, or up oue =
aud camc here, dear Mira, o. say this, and
ask sou to benny own cherished loving wife
Leonard gently drew down The little
hands which covered her face
'Will you try % love me, Mira
The happy smile and the bright blush
might have assured him, but be eagerly
listened for her words, aud repeated
'Wll you, Mira r
40, Leonard, will not TN, for ] kots
ior,d y,l ever sincc-but ob . and she put
away tbe arm that would have eucrcled
her, poor OH uncle Martin / have been
awake aii night, laying plans for bis benefit,
and cannot marry any 0ut-Dot even you,
Leonard
Mira . my wiie's uncle shall have a
place beside our hearth, seat at our table,
and while be lives a comfortable shelter
beneath our roof
1be tears 10 er.d5fk, eafde-t eyes lhaok-