South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-10-16

position was like sunlight among the sick
children, who were her special care Yet
when the death-flm gathered over childish
eyes, no voice could soften the dark pas.
sage to the grave with sveeter, more ear.
nest words of comfort ard promise than
NErTIE's.
Seeing her thus, through The long weeks
OF toll and danger, asking her aid where
money was urgently needed, finding her a,
per post where the air was thick with fs
ger and the danger frightfully near. Al
FRED MARTIN grew to consider the bcauti-
vi dark face As fairer than his ideal of nm
eels, and to thipk there was no music like
NErTIE clear, melodious voice. By the
nagnetism of his own true, earnest words.
ne had led her FROM frivolity To the seeking
pr higher aims and duties, aud by the pow
pr OF the strong love wakoned in his own
heart he drew hor into his keeping. She
owed, as she followed all other IMPULSES
9th tervent and deep affection, while she
Tas daily meeting her lover, aud the guido
% I'll the noble pursuits of her life.
Mrs. WHEATON, meek little widow. was
Pnly too glad to think of her child's future
ntrus'ed to the care OF truly good man.
hs she believed the Row. ALFRED MARTIN
10 be, and gave glad consent to au eppspe-
nent. And while autumn winds were
4weeping the fever from Morton, NErrIE
was learning the sweet lesson of loving sub,
mission to stronger will, was conquering
many lifelong seldshness and folly to
p!sase her betrothed, and believing that she
had lost oil relish for the frivoi,ies of the
past.
Had the marriage followed at once upon
the wooiug, l think there would have been
happiness at the parsonage, where the in-
huence of the earnest minister would have
deepened till NETrIE no longer needed any
earthly guide or support. But Mrs. WHEA.
TON decided that the brides ira, sseau must
come from B, and when the new YEAR
opened NETTlE went to her Aunt MARY S
to remain till milliner's and dress.makers
completed her outfit. The welding day
was 20 be 10 March, and while Aunt MARY
'hopped and stitched, NETrIE took fare.
well of the gayeties of her city home. She
did not mean to be Inconsistent, or to break
any of the good resolutions of the past few
months, hut old friends welcomed her with
festive gatherings, and before che realized
It, she vas d'nciug, flirting aud fitting from
party to party with all her old zost and
enjoyment.
Then, just for amusement, she allowed
the new lion, COUNT LoDosKr, to pay her
marked attention. She told herself she was
safe IN her happy engagement, and tina,
De was too much mau of society 70 have
any serious intentions. 1t was q mere fir
ta,lon for both of them, aud it served to
pass away time to listen to the stories of the
Polish exile, to waltz with him, and yet
with womau's skill and coquette's inge-
ou'ty, keep him from any compromising Of
ter chat would end the amusement.
The term Of NETTIE's visit was nearly o.
yer, when the entertainment at Mrs HUNTS
called together large number of her old
friends and new admirers. COUNT LoDos.
III was more ardent than usual in his OK,
pressions of admiration, and NETrIE was
uncomtortabiy conscience that he was pre-,
Stunning upon the encouragement be had re-
ceived' The evening passed quickly, and
IL was near supper-tirne when the count,
with courteous bow, offered bis arm TO
NETTIE for a stroll through the conser va =
tory, where number of couples were en-
JoSing the cool, fragrant air, after div
waltz. They were chatting gayly Of the
pleasures OF the past few weeks, of the com
ing festivities before Lent, when NETTIE
looking up, fund they were the sole occu
pants of the conservatory. The strains Of
the newest galop fully explained the ab-
scnce OF their former companions, and the
g'Tl was moving quickly toward the door wi on
the count gently but firmly held her back
one realized IN an instant the position into
which her own folly had brought her, but
tried to affect Inconsistencies still.
Il am engaged for this galop, Count, ;
she said, with her usual sweet smile, $50
you must not detain me now
yet for little while you will stay With
me- said the handsome foreigner, 10 his
strongly accented English. Il must say a
few words with you
Another time "
Nov!
The mans voice bad q ring Of ."I ....;,-
that NETrIE resented int 1'"O'''J
fo-- che ssid, baugbtily. 'Yor
got yourscT strangely, sir
L forget all but love when l au nea'
{ you,' be cried, aud broke into & stream o
/ eloqueuce, sn unmistaksble offer OF hear
aud hand, more than limiting that be va
sure ofa return Of his ardently-expresset
devotion.
10 vain NETTfE endeavored to check th
how Of words, every one Of which she Gel
was sn insult 10 the man she really loved
in spite Of her foolish vanity, and to whom
she bad promised faithful affection. Tb
Count spoke 80 rapidly that not until b
paused for his reply could NETTIE fnd a
opportunity even to speak.
Then, 10 afaltering voice, halfchoked b