South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-06-18

y
yening had long since swept up the val.
ley, and darkened and shut out the
prospect, and st. Clair turned with a
sigh to accompany the obdurate Young
lady down the rugged path to the village.
You must forgive me-, she said.
melting mt his silence. Il fear am a
little spoiled. I have always been al
lowed to think for myself. Yet il YOU
can convince me of my error 1 shall
yield the point as gracefully as possible.
At least, Mr.. st. Clair, let us be friends.
will try to use my poor influence to
modify and purify our dancing parties"
She gave him her hand Mt. her own
door with an appealing gesture and look
that conquered the already besieged
heart of the divine, and the clasp he
gave her. and the low spoken goodnight
conveyed more than pastoral benedic.
ton.
"Friends?" were they not more than
that now? Had not this fair young Ia
dy showed him how weak and sinful was
his best endeavor? In place of preach
ing to her, had she not rather preached
to him and gained the day in more sens.
es than one? In short, had she not won
his first and deepest affections, next to
his God? Struggle as he might, there
was no escape out of the dilemma. He
could not marry "a dancer" one of the
most gay and influential of her set in the
village. Aud yet he had no hope of
convincing her of the error of her ways
Her mind was too logical and firm to ca
silly yield a disputed point. 1t was,
therefore. only left for him to seek for
getfulness in another field. To remain
there now was madness. Bella Harri.
son had the voice and power TO sing him
TO destruction, if she willed so to do
lie drew up request for his dismissal,
and proposed handing it in at an early
day.
When again he met Bella on mis-.
sion OF charity, the poor tluttering moth
proposed walk to the hilltop from
whence they had enjoyed the rare sun
set. The conversation drifted to the
needy and suffering, and then to them
selves.
when / am gone, Miss Bella" he
said, Il shall often recall this spot and
the delightful walks with you"
Gone. Mr.. st. Clair?" And Ter face
flushed and then grew pale.
Yes, Miss Bella, you have DESTROYED
my influence here-and my peace of
mind, | fear, forever. 1t only remains
for me to seek new duties and forgetful.
ness. if l can
Your influence? your peace, Mr. st.
Clair?" faltered Bella What do YOU
mean? What can have done?''
'This-just this. You have taught
me TO love you dearly, and madly and
and
And / am not fit to hold such a pow.
or over your heart? | understand !" she
replied, in low and quivering voice.
mo. not that, as Heaven is my Judge,
my dear girl. You are all that n noble
woman could be, lovely, and unselfish,
charitable, but alas -
Il will dance!'
The comical side Of the wooing pre-
sented itself TO the quick-witted girl and
she could not but smile through her
tears.
Il fear / shall not be understood" he
replied, as he grasped her hands, wholly
disconnected. II had not thought to
speak at ALL but Providence seems TO
have ordained the meeting just to humil-
late me and show you my weakness
But whatever happens you must know
that 1 love you very dearly. Yet ! am
not wholly a free agent. / belong to n
sacred calling and cause, and to espouse
one ever so dear or worthy holding views
antagonistic TO the welfare of the church
would very much ifnot entirely do away
with my usefulness.
"Haye you so mean an opinion of me,
Mr.. st. Clair? Do you think that /, as
the wife Of minister, would do any
thing to retard his advancement or use
fulness, or that / would fritter away in
vain amusements time which should be
big with self-improvement and duty?-
that for the man loved | would not
make any reasonable sacrificed"
lie was distressed beyond measure as
Bella uttered her angry protest, and
drawing her hand from his, turned away
and began ruthlessly TO demolish the
bright green fringe Of a low-bending
hemlock.
But it is enough TO know that with
the eloqucnce born OF love st. Clair so
pressed his suit that half an hour later
two happy young creatures passed slew-
~ down the hill path amid the gathering
gloom walking rs on air and feeling as on
moOnbeams
They are married now. The dancing
days Of Bella are over, but not her in.
fiuence. TO the young people she
breaches moderation--tO her husband
the charity which is kind and peace
and prosperity reign in the village. as
they should and will everywhere ifpeo.
a - l.
nient. B0ilots Magazine.
FATHER! O. HEAR Me now.
Father o, hear me now,