South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-07-09


big goblin has stepped in and upset every thing.
can't tell you how i1consolable L am Go with
your papa and mamma, bat look straight on the
stage and don't with your rare loveiiuess at
tract vulgar attention. Yours jeslously,
ArsusTus FIrHIAs.
Then with heavy sigh. putting aside
this little missive, wrote thus to Ger
trude:
MY DEAR GrRTRUDE I find il quite impossi-
BILE to go with you on Thursday evening. An
unpleasant. but imperative obstacle forbids.
Yours always, AUGUSTUS FlTmAS
Night was already upon me when 1
had finished writing. Hurrying the two
notes into envelopes, directing them with
scrawling precipitation, and giving them
into the landlady's hand to post, threw
myself on my bed without lighting my
lamp. Not wink Of sleep did get till
the morning sun streamed coldly and
accusingly through my window; then
in sheer fatigue l fell into profound
slumber, and never awoke till noon.
Accompanying late matutinal meal,
there came what seemed to be volumi.
nous post. There were letters and let.
tiers! / opened prodigious envelope
directed in Gertrude's severe Italian
hand. There fell to the floor my miss.
i've of the night before. What did it
mean? 1 opened and read her explana.
tory note:
Mr.. FITnrAN: / return you the letter
to your friend Hattie, which YOU misdi.
rected last evening. / hope that you
will keep the engagement that 1 uncon.
sciously interrupted, and will be able to
protect her rare loneliness from the yul-
gar attentions you so much deplore.
Respectfully,
GERTRUDE VANDEwATER.
Ate recovering from this thunderbolt
OF Justice 1 took Iattie's little note.
which contained these few terrible lines
DEAR Mr. PrTHiAs-I understand now why
you were unwilling should go to the concert.
AS | must be an unpleasant and imperative OBJ
stacle TO you, shall never see you again.
HATTIE BiGRY.
took my hat and went out, without
knowing exactly why, and found myself
presently at Gertrude's house. The blinds
were partially closed, but under the cur.
tain l saw the clumsy shoes of the Rev
erend Cavendish almost touching the
slippers of Gertrude, and all four feet
were under the table laden with architec-
tural drawings.
A sudden impulse of rage seized me
| ran up the steps and pulled at the bell
The servant only half opened the door.
Miss Vandewater is not at home"
she said.
plunged madly down the steps and
made my way homeward. My landlady
called to me as l was going up the stairs
that somebody was waiting in my room
for me. "He would insist upon going
up and waiting for you," she said. "You
see, sir, people must be seen sometimes"
She thought it was dun, and so did
1. L was prepared to throw an impor-
tunate creditor over the balusters, and
went boldly into the room. In an arm
chair near the fire sat Bigby.
I've come to talk to YOU" he said.
First of ali Bigby," l exclaimed.
You must understand that | love your
daughter Hattie"
Bigby almost fell out of his chair. He
stared ut me open.mouthed. / saw from
his face he was in complete ignorance /;
/ told him everything.
'Tu never marry Miss Vandewater,
Bigby. That's all broken off,
blSDN lClt DilCh III Ills CUalT.
Broken off," he gasped, when I've
had my men working night and day on
them clothes of yours r.
"They will he out OF fashion" he said
mournfully, when had concluded.
81 won't need them Bigby, I'm going
out TO the mines"
Bigby gazed musingly in the fire.
Once or twice Inc turned x looked at me.
eff n woman is good enough TO love-
she's good enough TO marry, amt she
Mr.. Fithian2" he said at length.
Uuquestionably. Bigby."
And you love my Hattie, You say?"
81 adore her. Bigby; l."
"And you think she is fond Of you?"
broke in the old gentleman.
II hope so. 1 earnestly believe
she is
And if gave hor TO you, Mr.. Fithian
and you know how much store we set
by her-and if my wife and me never
would lay straw in your path. and would
keep from troubling you oil we could,
would you give me your honor as n gen
Hcmn1i, Mr.. Eithian-as ageidieS,ut, mind
you'd do your best TO make Hattie
happy
| took his shaking hand in mine. 7
said-but what does it matter what /
said? had always been fond Of Bigby.
| respected him now more than any one
l knew Mrs. Bigby was the handsom.
est woman for her age ever saw. and
as for Hattie-you all know how / felt
about Hattie.
Some weeks after, I met Vandewater.
lie shook hands with me reproachfully.
81 couldn't helpit Van" / said, 81 de.
cided TO marry for love-
"EIem J" said Van, with a cynical
smile-"let me see. l think old Bigby
must be worth in the neighborhood ri
half n million Of dollars.
How TO "EoMoTE MARRIAGE.-The
bachelors Of Madison, Wis, have form
cd society "to promote happiness and
prosperity advance marriage and 9th