South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-12-26

subject of their remarks, "but when yes
terdsy complained of ene,cy she really did
not know what meant"
The young minister laughed heartily.
"That is refreshing" he said, al am glad
that she confines herself to Euglish."
And then he remembered that he had on
ly the day before heard Mrs. BLACK speak
of q certain fruit a. "squinches"
Mr.. EMoRY's interest in LUCY GRAY
grew steadily from the hour of their first
meeting.
Iu vain did Miss ROBBINS attempt to
blind him to the gentle girls attractions,
in vain did she endeavor TO monopolize his
attentions. In spite of all tho efforts of
herself and sister to prevent it, the minister
would speak pleasant words to Lucy GRAY
kind, encouraging words that were very
grateful to her.
lie found in her all that 10 woman is
most lovely-grace, modesty, Intelligence
aud rare sweetness of temper and DISPOSE
ton. The matter at last became alarming
to Mrs. BLACK and Miss ROBBINS.
"Next there will be unpleasant talk"
said the latter. "Such intimacy on the
part of an unmarried minister is really
shameful. What will folks think If they
get to know it? OF course, Mr.. EMORY
means nothing, and least of all harm yet
it is not the proper thing. You must turn
the girl off, SELINDA. Why, last night
actually heard Mr. EMORY ask her to sing
for him"
"And did she do it 7"
"You know she can sing" whispered
Miss ROBBINS, as if she feared the fact
might get out.
But dill she 2"
eyes" admitted the other, reluctantly.
"Horror d! Not in the porlor -
IN in the sittlug-room.. Lucy would
not dare 10 eutcr the parlcr for that purpose. 4"
"Why doesn't Mr.. EMORY ask you to
sing, LIDDY !" quavered Mrs BLACK. ado
draw him on there il nothing at al! in the
way, understand, except this presumptu-
GUS girl, for whom of course he does not
care penny beyond a transient interest be
takes III her pretty ways"
"Clenr her OUT" demanded Miss Rob-
BINS. 81 hate her anyhow
"She goes to-norrow," declared Mrs.
BLACK, firmly. "She won't trouble US an
more"
The next morning Lucy GRAY with weep
ing eyes aud the saddest face went from the
house Of Mrs. BLACK discharged. She did
not want to leave, unpleasant as her lot
there had in many respects become. She
looked upon her dismissal as disgrace, for
sbe thought change argued against her
Mrs. BLACK had tho name of being good
mistress, and, therefore, the fault would be
considered LUCY's. WALLACE EMORY
went up to Mrs. GRAY's modest but taste .
ful home that evening. He asked for Lucy.
She came, somewhat wonderingly and
they sat in the little parlor alone. She felt
sad, and could with difficulty summon up
her usual cbeerfulness.
For a while they talked on various cub.
jects, ignoring the subject of her dismissal
from Mrs. BLACKS. Iir. EMORY interested
her In more agreeable matters, speaking so
kindly aud teDderly, and sympathetieal lily,
that the Inundated girl felt that at least
one heart in the world must be large and
warm and charitable
At length he said, with some abruptness:
"You left your place at Mrs. BLACK S,
to-day, LUCY?"
"I-I was dismissed, cir" she stammer-
ed, with look of pain.
"And | know tohy, Lucy. 1t was not
your fault, but nine, that caused your dis
charge"
"Yours, sir =!
eyes, miue," he said, quietly. "But to
make things all right again, what do you
say to my finding you another place 2"
VI would be very grateful to you, sir, I"
replied she, innocently.
"But you would have to stay for life, if
you went" be continued, with look that
seemed both grave and glowing.
For life p she repeated wOnderingly.
"1es, Lucy but would try to make it
good place-one you would never want to
leave"
There was something 10 bis face glorious
" suggestive. Lucy seemed family to
guess bis meaning, but started in dismsy as
nat the absurdiiy Of her wild sweet thought
"Be my wife, Lucy" said WALLACE
EMORY, in tender entresting words with a
joyous seriousness that showed bis truth.
ooh, Mr.. EMORY 70 she gasped uncer-
tain Of her JOY
81 am IN earnest, Lucy"
"But-but you would not marry me ,sirl"
I'll you do or eau love mo, will"
Already she did that, unconscious Of tho
fact I'LL now, but the tender, fearful glory
OF her eyes, the quivering of her pure face
and the trembliDgof her light form, reveal
cd all WALLACE EMORY cared to know.
-Four months later there was a wedding
IN the parish and Irrcv Cpav bocauro fho