South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-03-26
MARRYING I'm HASTE.
81 RxsEccA y-aars sruac,s.

and the long, Eastern-bound train NOV
ed out OF the depot.
Most of the passengers were for New
York, but number intended only to
take part Of that long journey from San
Francisco.
Adrian Willets hurried into the car at
the last moment, and found but one seat
vacant. In the far end, lady sat with
her veil down; but she raised it, disclos-
ing beautiful face, when he made the
customary inquiry-"Seat engaged"
Being answered in the negative. he sat
down beside her. In few moments
they were engaged in conversation; and
before they had been an hour on their
journey, he was ready to vow that never
had he met such a lovely, fascinating
creature.
He was just returning home after a
five years sojourn in India, and was We,
ry susceptible of ladies' charms. More,
over, he had intended to make his for
tune in that far-distant CLINE; but, like
many others he found fortunes were not
won so easily in real life rs in dream
land; and now this fair nymph, with
her long, golden hair and innocent blue
eyes, was telling him about ''Par'
''Pa sent for me to come home" she
said, in explanation Of her travelling a.
lone "but not to start until week after
next, when that old Tarel, pas trusty
clerk, was to come after me- But /
wouldn't wait j hate the old fellow
he's so fussy, and so scared OF me speak
ing to any one, AMI he takes snuff"
"That is crime enoughr' Willets re-
sponded. with light laugh. II can
imagine how disagTeeable he must be to
lady. But what will your father say?
Did you telegraph ID him that you were
starting. so that he would keep his clerk
at homer
mo, indeed I shall enjoy in imagi-
nation. old Tarers horror when he ar
rives in San Francisco and finds the let
ter | have left him. He will prophesy
all sorts Of horrible thing, as if | were
child, and did not know how TO take
care of myself
Are you acquainted with the road?"
"Oh, yes. 1 was here with papa, last
summer, to sec oar friends. do not
think the journey formidable ut ALL
But what will your father say?" he
queried, amused 10y her Independent and
yet child-lke spirit.
"Ie will scoii, and then he will kiss
ana forgive me. ] am all papa has in
the world, an1 he says he can't afford
to be ocry angry with me- was the
naive retort.
IAN heiress :" Wiilets said TO himself
land q charming one ut that -
But supposing the Indians should
attack us on the way!" he said, laugh
ingly; then you would wish you had
waited for your papa's courier
"Oh, no, indeed You would be my
knight, and do battle for mel almost
wish something like that would happen.
1t would be so romantic %
And she laughed n clear. silvery
laugh, that in his ear was the sweetest
music he ever heard.
Indeed I do not wish any such thing -
he replied. II would try to protect
you; but my service might be in vain.
L am no lover of uncivilized men and
hate to come in contact with them.
have been five years in India, and have
learned, by experience, something of
what human nature in its original state
means"
TO India, and he took good care 70 allow
her to have the impression that lis five
years had lined his pockets with some,
thing more substantial than fleece.
The hours passed swiftly by, aud Mt
nightfall they were on the best of terms.
like old acquaintance of long standing.
While she dozed, he thought of the
girl whose picture was lying over his
heart in an inner pocket, but not with
the same rapture "a he had done only
that morning Then he had longed for
tho end of his journey, and wondered
how he could live through the next seven
or eight days which must elapso before
he could sec her; now he was thinking
the journey would be too short, and that
his betrOthcd was a very commonplace
person compared with his new friend.
AIDA Vernon ~ he murmured to him
self What q sweet name this fair
young creature has - and he looked
tenderly down upon the sleeping beauty.
The next morning their social inter.
course was renewed. and the bond Of
/ friendship between them was evidently
growing stronger; in fact. it was patent
20 all Of the passengers on the train that
I it was n case Of love ut first sight.
'As strong q case Of spoons as / ev-
er saw. one Of his India friends vowed
to another. Il wonder what Willets'
girl will think Of it2'
ooh, he'll not tell her" was the re.
spouse, land we'll DO mum ="
III there is not an clopemeut." re-
joined the friend. In my opinion.
things are growing desperate"
On tho fourth day the train stopped
1T Omaha. There they met with infor-
nation that there had been adisaster on
the road, and that they would be detain.
cd until Che debris was cleared away.
Ada Vernon looked az her friend ap.
+ pealingIy. Here was an unlocked for
occurrence.
What shall do2' she cried Papa
will be so angry with me for coming
without an escort, and staying in this
city alone -