South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-09-04
'Margie's Trial
pr iSos.

rug WY Oh; stranger, and night Is
pretty well on you; twenty Ave miles by
the nearest road, explained farmer Hone.
Es to rather weather-beaten Young man,
who seemed bordering whether or OF to ac-
cept the hospitable Invitation to sbidc the
night ct the farm house.
Twenty-Five miles by the nearest road.
aud the sun down already remarked the
traveller, with fur,ive glance at the pleas
ant, shaded porch, on which MARGIs Hop.
GEs sat sewing aud singing, in low notes.
occasionally reaching the gate formip,
sweet rural picture, evidently very attrsc-
tive to the wayfarer, for he suddenly deci.
ded TO remain, and followed tho farmer
round to tho stables, to put up bis horse.
1t was not long before he came 10 and
was introduced to busting, motherly Mrs.
HODGES, and the pretty, bright faced MAR
GLE, as q Mr.. hELLEaMAN, although as the
farmer adroitly remarked, it was a saw
breaking name; don't know rs | ever heard
1t before not from these parts, maybe?'
No sir; from California, promptly re.
spondcd the guest.
MARGIE gave little start, and whisper-
ed quickly to her mother who paused
moment in the interesting occupation of
pouring out tho coffee and handing hot
cakes down the long table.
You don't know anything Of BENJA-
MIN TRACY, do you 2 she asked, without
further circun.!oeutiou.
DO you know BEN TRACY 2 KELLER.
MAN demanded, flushing very slightly.
'BEN is an old friend of ours; ia fact,
one Of the family
'Oh, mother, don't, interrupted MARGIE,
blushing violently under the keen, ha!f-A-
unused scrutiny of their guest.
yes, | will, MARaIE,' continued Mrs.
lloDdEs, who pridod herself on being OUT
spoken.
Sits no use keeping things so desperateo
ly close. Ny MARdIE is looking for BEN ev-
cry day from California and they are going
to get married as soon as he gets here. BEN
went off to make his fortune and folks do
say that no has had luck. Did you hear
OF him in those partsY
4 never heard any good of him., replied
kELLERMAH, roughly.
did you ever hear any harm of him 2
inquired the former.
mo, ] can't say tibet ever did he is an
homes. fellow, bu. l don't think ho has
picked up much of fortune
The former nodded, while MARGIE Civ
ing her head coquottiah, half indignant
toss, quietly left the table and sauntered
out on the great porch, where they fouud
her after supper sitting on Tho step chat
ting merrily with Tom ELLIS, from the
next farm.
People said that MARGIE was q spoiled
child, probably because she was the only
girl tho good farmer and his wife had, for
they were blessed with a numerous proee Dy
OF boys, but OF the softer sex this sunny hair
ed biue-cyod MARGIE was theirsole re presen-
tatiVe. very creditable specimen, too, so
all the young men far and near thought,
Notwithstanding she had given the mitten
to most OF them, waiting for BEN Tracy,
Who'll II never como in this world opined The
female portion of The neighborhood, espcci-
aiy the elderly nymPhs who remained (of
course because they preferred il ia a state
of single blessedness
Nevertheless MARGIB waited & now BEN
was coming, really aud truly, TO redeem an
old promise aud carry tllthe MARGIg away
from tho hcarthstone, 10 spend her days
with him Gar OF ia California, whero men
said he had failed 10 Goding the needful,
without which prudent farmer HoDGEs
OF his. She was a foolish little airt, pro
nouncad tho deooroG5 females who we're
siDgulaTly free Of any such hoinous charge :;
indeed they rather thought il fortunate
thing Ben TRACY did not return, for Of
course MAEGIE HoDGgs bad forgo ton him
long ago, especially now that ToM Ellis
was devoted admirer.
MARGrE only laughed ut insinuatiou and
advice from these interrupted moralists, aud
looked prettier than ever with those saucy
blue eyes and dimpiug checks, coquettiug
sadly with the rural'bcaus Of tho country
side.
The stranger smoked with farmer Hop
GEs, Keeping up do5uliory oonversltiou.
bis ears busy, perhaps, With tho low tones
OF tho pair on tho steps, and his eyes, too.
following the motions u MARGfE, WHO.
however, deigued not glance or smile ia
his direction, even when laying aside hrs
his pipe. Mr. KELLERMAN drew his chair
nearer, and attempted 20 take some pare in
The talk. lie was a fnc, manly looking
fellow, with busby black beard and sua.
burned complexion, and a free, easy, man
oi-world manner, quite undsuu,ed by tho
very evident coolness With viii Oh the rustic
belle met bis advance.
She was rosenting hb sighting tone and
speech about BEN, While the farmer medi-
lated upon IL Ia bis arm chair, aud upon
the Strangers handsome watch AID ine
horse, half wished shat BES might stay 10
CalIiOruis, add wholly sure that this one
was man Of means, who might possibly
il A al IL -