Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1873-02-01


Mr.. johnson asserted, with less elegance, that
be was owl-editor of one Of them papers that
never tells the truth ~
Poor people assimulate more readily than
those who surround themselves with the bar
rers Of form and ceremony; aud in the one
week OF their .neighbOrly proximity, Mr. Har-
ley and the Miss EllerslioJ had become tho
best Of friends.
The loop las come of my necktie again,
Mr. Harley began, apoloseiically. Dare
venture to ask you to sew it on second time,
Miss Emily ?"
Emily smiled and nodded as she threaded
her needle with black silk, and put on
thrifty looking thimble.
"Is anything the matter, Miss Kate ?" ask
ed Harley as be observed the elder sisters
flushed cheeks aud discounted mood.
Nothing, sue answered, petulaDtly, but
the old story-pcyerty and humiliation. Oh,
| wish were dead, or better still" she went
on, with increased energy, " wish the villain
who cheats us out of all our money were
dead p,
Mr.. Harley WINGED little. and no wonder,
Emily thought her sister had spoken with
unrestrained vehemence.
Kate, Kater she said softly, you don't
consider. lie is not to blame, because the law
has given him what was rightfully his own"
"He is, say I" burst out Kate, but then shO
repressed herself Give me the shirts, Emf
| ly," she said, resignedIy. 1--WE can't starvc.
Now the foot-stool and the workbasket. And
/ Just draw that curtain the sun is shining in
enough to dazzle forty pairs of eyes
Patiently Emily trudged hither and thitbOr
for her sister, only too glad that the storm of
Hates temper was temporarily averted by Mr..
Harley's fortunate presence. The young man,
quietly observant Of all that transpired around
him, began to think that after all, Kato was
not so beautiful as he had at first supposed
Emily had the sweeter, more Madonna-lke
face. Then she was so gentle, so quietly re-
signed.
Emily always was drudge" said Miss
Ellerslie, contemptuously. She never had
any more spirit than canary bird"
So Emily did the work of the contracted
little room, washed and ironed Kate's laces, ar
ranged her sisters luxuriant dark hair, sat up
at night to finish the sewing that Kate had
thrown aside because it made her so nerv-
GUS" hours before, and was sunny and happy
through it all, while Kate sighed over her fate,
and persuaded herself that she was tho most
wretched Of created beings.
And one day Mr. Harley astonished her out
Of her equanimity by proposing to marry her.
upon -my-word ~ CALCULATED she =" tho
young man must have a very good opinion Of
himself! OF course you said Mop
Emily hung her head until she looked like
a sweet pea vine that has been exposed to the
July sunshine.
lin afraid said Yes, she faltcred
"What on earth could have induced You to
accept him ?" demanded Kate, with both
hands imploringly upiifted
Because love him !" said Emily, plucking
up courage.
" The sedsbuess Of some people" sobbed
Kate, bnryng her face in her pocket-handker-
chief Il suppose you never once thought
what was to become Of me ~
Innocent Emily felt that she had indeed
been monster of ingrati,ude and egotism.
We must provide for our sister Kate, in
some way or other" said Mr. Harley, when
Emily tmidly confessed her trbulation to him.
" Wait and see, little girl"
Kate Elerslio gave her brotber-in-law elect
rather cool greeting that evening when he
dropped in, as usual, about nine o'clock.
Il hope you nyratulatc us'" he said,
cbeerily.
"Of course you have my best wishes, she
answered, with some little acerity.
'' It will be your turn next, Kate
She tossed her head haughtily.
90 l am in no particular hurry"
Wouldn't it be nice little chapter Of ro-
nance in real life" be added, smiling, if
Murray Lennox, to whom the law has award
ed property that was once yours, should come
and marry you"
Nonsense" |" said Kate sharply. Such
things dou't happen in real life."
Do they not But just let the suppose If
only FOR once. What would you say"
, No, Of course"
And you, Emily"
5 Ny heart is already given away" she an
swerod, smiling and blushing.
, "To Murray LennoZ y
/ She looked at him in surprise
"My darling" be said, Il have deceived
you all this time. am not John Harley but
Murray Lennox, your distant cousin. came
here to study your characters apart from the
disadvantage which should surely follow mo
, were known as the unwilling usurper Of your
fortunes Nor do regret the ruse. Upon
my wedding day, Kate, ! shall settle upon
you enough to make you entirely Independent
As for Emily" with smile, " she must Ia
contented with her fortune as my WIFE"
Certainly Miss Emily looked more than con-
f tented
"Its quite an unusual proceeding" said
! Mr. Arkwrisbt, when he was called upon to