South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-08-22

also WITH his own soul; aud a new light
came into his eyes;,a new visor and man.
hood into bis life. -
He could think of Augeliue Wilmarth 10
these days without pain. There would al
ways be in bis heart for her the tend erness
a good man feels for a woman ouce below.
ed; but whether she was his or another's,
be could not reckon her loss or gain among
the 'all things he was contented to leave
with heaven
he had heard in the summer that she
was to be married on Christmas, but he
heard no more about il afterwards. Her
preparations were going Oh, he supposed,
but be seldom saw her. He had never
spoken with her more than a passing good
day, since her engagements.
One afternoon, in November, he brought
home from the village postofiicea bundle Of
papers, bis Boston daily among them. Sit
ting by the fire and turning them over, his
eyes were caught by the heading in large
letters:
ANOTHER CASE OF DEFALCATIoN
He began to read the article with the
kind of half careless interest people In the
country feel in the excitement of the city,
which cannot touch them personally; but
suddenly he started up, clutching the paper
tight, aud straiuiDg his eyes over it rs if be
doubted his own vision. The name of the
defauting aud runaway bank-teller was
Angie WiInarlh's cousin. Thank heaven
that no mean selfshuess stained his soul in
that hour. He was honestly and heartily
touched at the thought of Angles sorrow.
Poor girl If there were only any thing he
could do to aid or comfort her He took
his hat aud went out, with some vague
purpose OF Offering his help, which the fall
wiod shattered as it blew across his brow
or course there was nothing be could do
he could not even speak to her on such a
subject Her grief would be sacred, and
he-had he not been used this many
month 10 the idea that he was nothing TO
her any more
Sull be went on IL purposeless sort Of
way, toward her house went on, until he
saw a sleude. figure coming as if to meet
him, under eshess elm boughs, over the
dead and rustling leaves, which lay thick
upon tho wood path. He had meant to
pass with just good evening" but when
she put out her hand to him, aud he looked
into her face, the words came before he
knew it to his lips:
Il have seen it all in the paper, Angie,
and [ am sorry
Yes she said gently; 'it will ruin him,
| am afraid
'And you. [ thought most Of you. You
were to have been married 20 soon.'
Not to him. she said, hurTiedly, never
to him. That was done with two months
ago. | had never loved him. 1t was van.
ity which made me consent to marry him.
He was handsome and gallant, aud he pro-
missed me all the good things of this life
But | found, after a while, that none of
them would pay me for myself, and | told
him the truth
Something in her hurried, earnest tones,
or the swift color that stained her check, or
her shy, half.veiled eyes, or all together,
gave John Osgood courage, and he said,
holding her hand still
ut was because | had none of the good
things of this life, Anglo, that dared not
tell you how dearly | loved you and always
should You seemed too bright and fair to
settle down here, just as the wife of a Rye
field farmer
'But if like that best p said she soft
ly, aud her hand stayed 10 his.
Aud so John Osgood won his hearts
desire.
There are some souls that like to think
dear children Of the Heavenly Father, who
learn easily the lessons lie sets them; who
do not need over-much chastising; ready
TO take the lowest seat at feast or syna
gogue. There is a Divine and approving
tenderness in the voice which says -
Friends, come up higher