South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-06-04
ONLY A COUNTRY GIRL.

you are mistaken. would sooner
Ole than wed q mere country beauty
but Fred, suppose her intelligent,
moral, full OF natures poetry-tender
hearted. graceful, unspoiled by adu-
iaflon-a guileless, simple, loving crea.
ture-'
"Ayer said Fred, laughing, a "choice
cluster OF virtues and graces. Country
beauties are always sweet and simple, so
are country cows. No!I tell you if she
was lovely as an angel, with the best
sense in the world, still, if unskilled i'm
music and literature, with no soul above
churns and knitting needles, wouldn't
marry her for fortune"
"Ha, ha," laughed Helen Irving but
It was very pianissimo laugh, away
down in the corner Of her musical little
heart. Hidden by the trunk of large
tree, she sat reading within a few feet,
only, of the egotist.
In another moment the young men
came within sight. Fred's face was
crimson, and he whispered in visible ire.
pidation, do you think she heard?"
NO." rejoined the other half audibly
-"she shows no resentment; she has
not even looked up from her book, YOU
are safe, she could not have heard you
but what an angel she is!''
Yes, Helen was an angel as far as
outward beauty might merit the enconi-
um. She sat half reclining. on a rustic
seat, striving to smooth out the dimplcs
in her cheeks, as she laid her book aside
and began to Irvine half finished
wreath of wild roses.
Leaning on one white arm. the gnarl-
ed white oak trunk n background, flow
ers strewn around her, peeping from her
bright locks, and scattered over a white
dress-she sat quite at her ease, appa-
rently unaware that two handsome young
gentlemen were SO very near.
Approaching with low bow, upon
which his mirror had set the seal of
fruitless elegance, Frederick Lane took
the liberty of asking if the young lady
would be kind enough to inform him
where Mr.. Irving lived.
With an innocent smile the beauty
looked up. "Mr. Irving! the only Mr..
Irving in the village is my father" she
said, rising in charmingly graceful
manner. 1.-The large house," she con-
tinued, ION high ground. half hidden by
trees and thick shrubby-that's where
we live. L believe it was an-an acad-
envy once-that's a sort of select school
isn't it?" with the most natural simplici-
ty turning to Fred.
He replied with another graceful bow.
Tell your father" said he, that /
shall do myself the honor to call on him
to-morrow-he will remember metre.
derrick Lane, at your service"
Eyes, sir, I'll tell him word for word"
replied Helen, tucking her sleeve round
her pretty arm and making rather a for
NAL courtesy. Then catching up her
book and gathering the scattered flow
ers she hurried towards home.
Now father, mother, aunt and SIS
exclaimed the merry girl bounding into
the room where the family were at sup
per, las sure rs you and live, that Mr..
Lane you all talk about so much is in
this village. lie will call here to-mor-
row the first proper specimen of CITY
beau; las of course he will be- all senti-
m ent, refinement, faultless in kids. and
spotless in dickey-importan and as
selt-assured as one of that like can pos
sibly be.
Promise me all of you, that you'll not
lisp word about music, reading or wri-
ting, in my pFesence-because | have q
plan.
Father will not, / know; only give
him newspaper. Aunt Minnie never
talks. mean in company, and mother
will be too glad to sec me churn butter
and mend stockings. Sis, your rattle of
the tongue is the only thing fear. but
IT yon keep quiet and ask me no ques-
tions, will give you that work box you
have coveted so long"
ELLA, you are not quite respectful"
said her father gravely.
Forgive me, dear father" and her
arms were folded about his neck. Il
always mean well. but I'm so thought.
less. There, all is right now" she adj
ded, kissing him lovingly on the temple
Come sis, what say your"
"Why on that condition. I'll be still
as a mouse; but what's your reason?"
"Ah that's my own" sang Helen
dancing out OF the room.
a
Ch hii' tHu TeO look
ed on with an unconscious smile Of adj.
miration.
Helen sat at m open window, through
which rose-bushes thrust their blushing
buds making both sweet shade and fra.
GRANGE. The canary over head, burst
out every moment in wild snatches of
glorious music. Helen was Mt work on
long blue stocking, nearly finished
and her fingers flew like snow birds.
"You knit quite admirably; are you
fond Of it?'
eyes quite. like IL better than
than anything else-that is mean can
churn very we'll"
And do you read much?" Fred's
glances had travelled from the corners of
his eyes over every table. shelf. and cor.
ner, in search Of some book or paper
But not page, not leaf, yellow or
sere, repaid his search.
30 yes" said Helen, with selfsat-
&C. 4