South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-12-17
Harry Markham's City Wife.
nv MATTE DYER nnirrs.

eyes OF clear deep gray. and lips OF viv-
id scarlet, framed by abundant braids Of
dark. glossy hair, plump, smoothly.
rounded trim shape, and pretty little
hands--these were what Harry Mark
ham looked at AS he leaned back i'm the
great chair and eazed at his betrothed
wife, Nettie Gale. q
Not one Of your grand beauties. too
dazzling ever TO be found except i'm sto-
RES, aad very seldom good for anything
but show when they are found but quite
pretty and sweet enough to make it n
pleasure to look ut her, aud not too IAN.
Seuc, and all that nonsense. to bc 9th
er than she was--a warm, living. loving,
natura! girl.
Harry Markham. book.kecper in Hart.
iey's big establishment, with a salary Of
eighteen hundred. was engaged to Net.
tie Gale. ard loved her with all his great
soul. Yet, Notwithstanding this, and the
fact their wedding.day was only four
short weeks ahead, there was cloud on
Harry's face, and he sighed heavily, as
he leaned back and looked at her.
what worries you, Harry" asked
Nettie. smoothing his coat-sleeve with
her scit fingers. May | know"
Harry sighed again. "You must know
l suppose. But hate to tell YOU /
got letter from mother to-day"
'Well?" There was little note of
inquiry in Nettic's voice and her fingers
stole caressingly over Harry's sleeve.
ut wasn't ,reN and there's the rub
Mother is IL good, kind soul rs ever liv-
ed. Nettie-"
I'm sure of that, from her picture"
interrupted Nettie.
but she is apt to be bitter in her
preJudlGcS-
IL should judge that, toe again put
in Miss Nettie
"And, unfortunately for us, she has
conceived bitter prejudice against city
girls of all Sorts
And, the long and short Of it is"
said Miss Nettie, with n smile up in his
face, she docs not consent to our mar
rage"
Indeed, she doesn't! OF course it
won't make any difference, but I'm sor-
~ for your sake. Nettie. dear
And I'm sorry for your sake" said
: Nettie. Iou have always been so mucl,
to yonr mother, | dislike to be the cause
oil any disagreement between you. But
when VIC come to know each other, llar-
ry, will try TO make her love me-
''She is determined not to know YOU
just now" said Harry. moodilv.
Let NE see the letter, please?" asked
Miss Nettie.
Harry drew it from his pocket, and,
somewhat reluctantly, gave il to her.
Nettic drew it from the envelope. o.
pened it, and read from the stid, old
! fashioned hand:
"MY DIAN SoS NO, I will not come up to
your wedding, neither DO invite YOU TO bring
your wife here. lr YOU had come home and cho-
sen from the good, industrious girls here
! would have done all | could for her aud for YOU.
! But know what those ciiy girls are worth
! Even if your wife did stay in r. store I':e seen
! he fine befrineed aud befdrbe!owed ladies' he
! hind The counter putting on airs and / n have
none Of EN- think yon'll End To your cost.
that selling ribbons and laccS don't learn n girl
| To make bread aud pics Keep decent house.
! However suppose YOU are old enough ia make
! your own choice, only dom look to me 70 help.
And when YOU fad your pretty bargain has
| turned worthless on yodr hands don't bring her
hume to wait on, for II have none OF her f nc
! h'uuces trailing over nv floors. YoU. slune,
will tie always welcome, but have no wish for
any scquaintsnce with your fnc i-dy wife.
! This rs all at present from your mother,
"ELlIABkrH MARKHAM"
pretty decided" said Nettie. as half
laughing, half crying. she returned the
! letter TO Harry. I'm very sorry, liar.
ry, but if you think | can make up for
your mother" laying her face lightly
upon his shoulder.
II think Won can make mp for all the
world. and kHo,c it :" cried Harry. fold.
/ ing her closely in his arms.
/ - I
/ then she added. more confidently. "and
some time. Harry. VIC shall make friends
with your mother. / feel sure Of it,"
81 hope so Nettic. But this is n great
/ disappointment just now had plan
ned such n pleasant visit home, TO the
dear old Bucks county farm, for our
wedding trip"
IL would like very much 10 20 there.
But rs we can't, suppose we stay here
IN Philadelphia, aud not 60 anywhere.
/ Harry"
What, will You give Up your we'd
ding tripY'
think ! should prefer it. We have both
I Of Va been 10 Niagara. and most Of the
watering places. and besides. il is too
I late TOT them. L have no friends We
care 20 visit. and I think we might ae
well just settle down and begin life NJ
once. You know have saved enorgh
from my own salory TO furnish our house
Let us rent a little house and 60 right
20 housekeeping, like sensible people
"Just what ! would rather do. darl
ing - cried Harry. giving her delight
I pJ L;44 s.Euf 4 ftauoIf a vvo.IIfvr, g. d,
was a indispensable 20 feminine human
nature "a a wedding ring"
Then learn your mistake" said Net
tic, smiling. You know. Harry I've
been in clearinghouse, without a home
ever since papa died, and had 10 carr
my own living. and I am as impatient n.
child 20 have house OF my own L
manage"
Then Won shall have one, as soon a.
it can bc found :" cried the Young man