South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-11-13
A G N E S L NE

very plain IN lace, she was neglected by
the gay and fashionable who frequeu,ed her
uncle's house, aud paid obsequious stten- .
lions to her fair cou,in GERTRUDE.
But AGNES had a heart-a warm, true.
womanly heart it was; but ell its GU gush-
log affection was thrown upon itself There
wa, within her wild yesrning to DO low
ed, cherished aud appreciated However,
as 1t was, she had but little chance of being
treated with even common polileuess When
her beautiful cousin was near.
GERTRUDE ARDEN vas beautiful, and to
do her Justice she was naturally good heart
ed, but fAttery and fashion had couspired
to make her vain and frivolous.-Accus.
toned always to be first 10 all circles where
the strong sex pay homage to The weaker,
she thought not Of yielding to her hum bio
cousin those little attentions which make a
woman's life an earthly paradise CERT
RUDE was never unkind, but thoughtless
often.
Among the visitors to Mr.. ARDEN S
splendid mansion, none were nobler, hand
somer or worthier than EUsTAcE CLINTON,
the only child of deceased millionaire.
Every one prophesied that many moons
would not wax and wane ere JUSTICE and
GERTRUDE would call each other by a ten
derer name than that of friend and in
deed circum stances seemed to Justify the
assertion, for CLINTON and Miss ARDEN
were constantly together, at the social psI-
ty, tho promenade and the opera.
AGNES saw much Of CLINTON, necessn
rily, and she thought him the noblest of all
her cousins admirers. Her enthusiastic
soul saw In him one whom tho earthly had
left uncontaminated-one nearly allied to
the heavenly. She felt happy in his pres
ence; she was glad when he came she
sighed when he went away.
Gradually in her lono young heart there
had grown regard for EusTACE CLINTON,
aud that regard had dcepened into en- ear.
nest, self sacrificing love. Il was strong
love, pent up close within her owu bosom {;
1t ;hrove upon the remembrance Of n tone.
a look, a smils. Bat AGNES would not
have confessed as much TO herself; she
guarded well her heart and put seal up
on her lips.
The all memorable day sacred TO Saint
Valentine was at hand
GERTRUDE was wondering what would
be decreed TO her on that impor ant day,
and in her joyous antisipations she limited
to AGNES that it might be the betrolhal
ring from EUsTAcE CLINTON.
AGNES felt sharp pain at her heart, IS
her cousin said this, but there was face
that told no tales.
Painfully that night did the poor orphan
feel her utter loneliness, wien the gay,
gilded missives, led with earnest protes-
tations for her fair cousin. were brought
IN. Or course, there were none for AG-
MES; who would notice a poor dependent
like her
Tears came up in AGNES eyes Not that
she had expected any remembrance, no,
that she cared for those simple little trifes
called valentines; but if there had been
but one for her il would have shown some
one IN the wide world thought of her aud
wished to make her happy On that festal
day.
GERTRUDE tossed the shining tokens in
to heap, declaring peiulenrly that it was
too bad for CLINTON to disappoiot her a.,
when she had expected something from him.
AGNES sighed softly-'twas habit she
bad 1t she did not choose to reply to a re-.
mark.
Presently The door bell rang. GERTRUDE
sprang forward
'ltis CLINToN's valentine for me, know,
she said triumphantIy. Il thought it very
strange that be should have forgotten me.
and she met the servant 10 the middle of
the ball. Letters for me, JonN,' and she
held out her hand.
Miss AGNES LANE said JOHN reading
from the envelope.
For AGNES I? calculated GERTRUDE in
surprise. Let me have it--qmck, quick
JOHN ! Who could have teeo sending a
valentine to our AGNEsY
AGNES bad risen at tue sound Of her
name, and stood, crimson with emotion,
just within the parlor door.
Give it to me, GERTRUDE sho said ca
gery approaching her cousin give it to
me, if it is for me-
Nay, my FILTERED little cousin, said the
gay beauty, laughingly, wait until have
inspected it, will you All that is no low
er's wriiing--it is a lady's cbirograpby :
evidently some Of your delightful rustic
acquaintances, AGNES, 50 you need not
blush about IT, aud she threw the Ie.tor
contemp tuOusly towards her.
AGNES picked il up and hastend to her
chamber. It was delicately enameled en-.
velope, bore the post mark Of neighbor.
ing town, and was directed to Miss AGNES
LANE, 10 fair hand
AGNEs broke the pretty pink SEAL
There was tiny sheet Of delicate cream
colorsd lace paper, with the simple words,
Il love thee, 10 gilt letters on the pale satin
scroll. That was ell. AGNES turned round
and round, in search for some letter or word