South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-12-18
x / q 81 T E d AT L A ST:
OR, THE DESTROYED LETTER.
ny Z. p. =


box window, which sheltered this retreat,
the pOrlors Of the noble mansion were al
IN glow of light ard jewels DAISY was
pretty creature, with fair hair and pink
aud white complexion as perfect and cx-
preston iss as a wax doll, while RoMNEY
was dark ADD strikingly handsome. Even
as he spoke DAISY's hand quivered lt.le
AMI her sleeve upset half dozen chess
men.
There they GO laughed RoMNEY NE
yer mind, DAISY you had very nearly
conquered me, aud we'll consider it vic.
tory on your part. don't like chess lust
now. Sc, Miss LoCLAIN is passing again
'1es, said DAISY, who resented the least
admiration of any other lady on her c9u-
sins part, 'she is a very stylish looking
girl, only don't fancy her gipsey sort of
beauty, and
She stopped sbor', for RoMNEY's eyes
were fixed Oh her with an expression very
unusual.
DAISY said be, gravely, Il wish to
speak to you on subject of great impor>
lance TO me-a subject that lies very near
my heart
DAlsYs check grew red and white alter
nately, while her pulses paused within
Could it be possible that the love she had
30 long secretly entertained towards her
cousin was at last to be rewarded ? Did
he really love her?
Il may trust you, my little cousin
'Of course, RoMNEY,' she answered, ii.
mildly lifting her eyes to his dark earnest
glance.
well, then, I'm in love-
The scarlet tide suddenly suffused her
neck, cheeks and brow, while her eyelashes
dropped with delicious shyness.
Now don't blush so, DAISY | am not
The first man that ever fell iu love, nor am
| likely to be the last. i have not courage
to avail; my doom from BELLIES own lips,
yet | must krow, before / s. Ill for Europe
whether II Is 10 be rose garden or drea.
ry desert. Will you be my messenger,
DAISY Will you take this note to belle
LoCLAIN, and bring me her reply2
A statue could not have been whittier and
colder than DAISY MARSH, as che listened
to the concluding sentence, that fell like ice
upon her heart. She could have plunged
a dagger cheerfuly into the heart of the
woman who had won RoMNEY's love. An.
ger, modification and keen anguish strove
together tor mastery in her heart, yet there
was no outward symptom, save the dcathlike
palor Of her check, and culver of her lip
win you, DAIsY!' persisted RoMNEY.
She nodded silently
That's my darling, little cousin Give
her the note to nighi-you women know
bow to'manage such thugs-and if she will
be mine, ask her to send me a line-one
Inc will c all sufficient. But if not.
He stoppedInl bit his lips as if the bare
con'e mplation Of such possibility were
agony. IF not, | shall understand her ST.
Ience to mean no. Here is the note, ma
che'e. To think that mans whole dest-
ny should hang on bit Of paper like that.
A7 he placed he folded note in her
hand, it felt like ice.
DAISY, you are not WE'LL
Perfectly she answered, in a consirain-
ed voice but am a little tired | will
20 up to my room, and zee Miss LoCLAIN
when she leaves the parior'
When she was alone in her own apart
ment, she tore the paper into tiny bite g.,
with slow deliberation, and burned them
one by one, in the Pickering gasight.
There she said, biting her lips until the
blood started. 'SIe shall never know he
was fool enough to prefer her dark eyes and
jet black hair 70 my blond beauty =
The same evening BELLE LOCLAIH un-
Grading the masses If dark hair that had
CLEANED with pearls and opals, raised her
dreamy Spanish eyes to the glass before
her-eyes that we're dim with unshed tears.
He does not care for me, she murmur.
ed, yet tho world calls me beautiful All!
what care | Tor the worlds admiration, as
long rs the only one for whose praise
Sigh, turns ooldly from me ? ! suppose he
will marry that bright-haire little cousin
OF his, and they will be happy while -
well, DAISY z eagerly asked RoMvEY
ELTING, as he met his cousin on the stairs
next morning.
'WsllH
WAS there no answer 2
None
The color faded from ROMNEY's cheek.
leaving dull, deadly paleuess behind. -
He clssped bis hand involunisriy over bis
heart.
80 be il, he murmured 10 a strangely
changed voice. And now, bo for Eu.
rope; this country 10 longer holds a charm
for me-
DAISY lost her cousin, yet she had The
malicious satisfaction Of knowing that
BELLE I.oCLAIN bad lost something nearer.
Three years after, Mr. MoRDAUNr's ele,
CANT drawing rooms we're brilliantly light
ed up one night, as RoMNEY ELTING paid
bis respects, with easy courtesy, to bis
pretty, silly, little hostess.