South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-02-14
The Unexpected Rival.
BIZ KATE oLAis.

btightly glowed the hre in the polished
CRATE, aud brilliantly flashed the licht from
dozen gas jets, throwing, through tre
! crimsou-curtaiued Windows, a rich glow
upon the snow-covered pavement wirhcu,;
speaking to the wesrg hearted, toll worn
children ct poverty, passing by to cheerless
homes, OF warmth and comfort aud bless
! ing which might never be theirs.
| Within that curtainel room, where
naught seemed wanting in beauty or lux.
ury, young girl stood behind the drapery,
gazing out into tho stormy night, and tap
ping her little foot impRtiently on the a or,
while an expression of angry discomfort
Swallowed face perfect 10 outline and col
oring, msrriug sadly its otherwise exquis-
! lie loveiiness.
The snow fell thick aud fast, and but
few pedestrians were abroad none save
those who were compelled 10y necessity to
brave the chilling blast aud the binding
storm.
Suddenly, with gesture of vexation
and disappoin tment, she dashed aside the
I folds Of crimson, aud advanced to the fire.
side exclaiming:
1t ia provoking, iutolerably provoking {!
Here | have been watching for that girl
What does she mean by this delay? |
shall be raging, if am disappointed of
my dress tbs night, OF all othsrs.
why surely, Ella, you are not going
out IN this tempest 2 said Il le-lookiug
silver-haired man, who entered the room
just in TINA 10 catch her last words.
Indeed but | am, Guardy. D.. Hun
ter is coming for me to 20 to Mrs. Eris-
tons ball, aud | would not miss it for the
world. | am determined TO crown my
reign as belle of the season, by bridging
him to my feet, If possible, before another
day dawns He is the best match in the
city, and ] mean to secure him at once.
The girls are all crazy about him, and
long to triumph over lhen.'
You speak conf iently,' said Mr. Re-
we're, cor l shall expect to be woke up in
the small hours of the morning with It'd
/ ings Of your success
Turn we now 10 another bonn, the a.
hode Of poverty, where Mary Grey, the
| young saamstrsss, is bending YEARLY over
her work, richly embroidered dress,
whose silver lilies of the valley, with rich
! ~ tintod blue bell, are artisticaly wrought.
in graceful pstterns on q ground work Of
white silk. II is the dress for which the
beautiful heiress ia waiting the dress in
; which she expects TO captivate the best
match in the city
Very lovely is Mary Grey, though m
rose tint blooms on the pure white Of her
complexop-yery lovely though her glori-
Gus eyes, shaded by long siken lashos arr
dimmcd with watching nnl tcars. Her
hngers fly nimbly over her task, nearly com.
pleted, the payment for which ia to bring
needlul supplies TO those who for two DAYS
have scarcely tasted food-hcr Invalid mo-
cher and her little sister Lucy, who is now
nestling at her foot, crying With hunger
The work is completed at last, and Mary.
drawing the child fonily to her side, SAYS
sooshingly:
Hush darling! hush Sister il going
now To take home the dress and bring YOU
nice little feast. T~enry-fve d,Ilrrs
we'll have for this; won't We be rich my pep
Tours led her eyes, bu. ahe brushed
th"m hastily away "a vell-knowr rap was
heard, followed by the entrance Of very
elegant looking man, who, holding out bis
hand to Mary. said pleasanty:
Il am earlier than usual this evening.
but am obliged to escort fair lady T.
bsl at ten O'Clock. and thought Ia Look in
on my patient before making ny toilette. ,
'Ah, doctor, how can thank you for
your kindnosa? said Mary, raising her
sparkling eyes to his face, but dropping
them again instantly 81 shs met the warm
gaze Of admiration in bis, while crimson
bushes frightened her fair face into pew
beauty.
Mother is worse, fear, doctor, said
Mary. 'Sbe seems quite exhausted this
evening.
Has che had proper nourishmcnt today
Mamma has not had anything 10 cat.
doctor, broke 10 litils Lucy; and sister
and haven't bad anything eitbor bui dry
bread, and We are very hungry bur sister
is going 10 get some money tonight
Hush. Lucy, said Mary, while pain
fol look Of embarrassment fsll upon her
before bright couotensUoo. Doctor ex-
cuse her she talks too fast
An anxious, inquiring gaIo rested ON
her, and in a voice trembling With emotion,
DR.. Hunter exclaimed:
Mary, is it indeed so7
She bent her head is assent, but sfior
moment Of silence, found voice 70 say, u
shall have money tonight
Giving but glance at bis patient, whose
emaciated face spoke Of sufsrioz want.
even in sleep, he left hastily. And Mary,
folding her work, and carefully placing q
her mothers eide the medicine she might
need % waking, at the same time charging
little Lucy to stay by her 10 her absence.
started out, in the fierce storm, to carry
| the dress 10 tue beiress, who sat ehsGog at
her delay.
Mays father bad once been rich, but,
crnshed BY sdHersiiY. bad diod and lefl bio