South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-02-27

and wish to introduce you before dinner
to those with whom you are not acquaibtcd
81 will, sun,ie and here let me beg Of
you not 10 find no fault witt, my dress when
come down, replied Lutte.
'Of course not roy etild; wear what you
please and shall be certainly satisfied, on
iy he quick for Leon will soon be here
Lutte bounded away, wearing q queer
expression on her beautiful face, and Mrs
Bendy hustled away to watch the progress
OF the preparations for dinner.
La few moments stylish turnout drove
up to the door, and Lem Lancaster, look
ing strikingly hands me, in elegant attire,
spradg out, aud after being cordially greet.
ed by Mr.. Bsntly ,eu tered the house, there
Mrs. B>ntly met him, escorted him into
the psrlor and introduced him to the guests
already there assembled
where Is Lutis?' ho asked, showing the
least particle OF annoyance that she had
not been there to greet bin on his arrival.
'She Is In her room putting on an extra
1nish to Der toilet, | suppose. She will
DC here in moment, replied Mrs. Bently.
As she left the p'rlor 5nd passed through
the hall, Lutte came tripping down the
stairs. Mrs. Beutly gave enc glance at
her attire and exclaimed
why, Lutte Haines, ARE you going crazyY
Never more sane in all my life, auntie.
WI you present me to your guests now Z
'What do you moan, LUTIEY
Never mind; | will explain all to your
satisfaction by and by laughed Lutte.
She wore the same costume in which she
had gone to market two days before. Up
on one hand she wore one of the mittens
which Mrs. BENTLY had urged her to wear
upon the occasion referred to.
Mrs. BENTLY offered no further opposi.
ton and led the way to the parlor, followed
by Lutte, whom she introduced to the
party there assembled.
A portion of them looked with surprise
upon The costume of Lutte, md others no.
tlcei only the rare beauty of her face.
She greeted them with queenly, grace
Tul bow, and advancing to LEON LANCAs.
TER she said:
'Mr. LANCASTER, l think promised, at
our last meeting, that when we should meet
| would exchange this ring for the mate of
this mtten, and she removed the gemmed
circlet from her finger.
II a started to his feet.
Great heavens! he cried, turning pale,
! what does this mean 2?
'lt means, sir, that | am the person
whom you met in a low restaurant on -
street, aud whom you so grossly insulted,
mlstaklng me for poor market girl. 1t
was freak of fancy which prompted me
TO assume this dress aud take some things
to market for auutie, as uncle was away and
her hired man was i'll. | shall always
thank my lucky star that | was led to do
so, for thereby | learned your true charac.
ter she replied, her beautiful eyes flashing
looks OF whitening scorn aud contempt up
on him
LUTTE, there is some mistake about
this, l.
Say no more, sir; l am not mistaken !;
| saw you in a state Of intoxication, and
you grossly insutcd me aye, you even
! dared to lay violent hands on me. Here
is your ring, take it, / never wish to meet
you again. and she flung the bauble at his
feet aud swept from the room.
When she returned in short time after,
dressed in her own becoming attire, and
looking regally beautiful, the seat which
LEON LANCASTER had occupied was vacant
She entered with zest iuto the festivities
of the occasion, aud il there was one heart
amid that party which throbbed with
thanksgiving, it was tho heart of LUTTE
HA1NEs, for by n mere chance she had been
saved from marrying man wholly unwor-
thy 10 bear the name.