South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-09-24
T II E BEACON LIG HIT

>" SathSiDcc eSiate. HOW matters lau
progressed SO far and had been cngag-
ell to Rollin l scarcely knew. Did
love him l asked my self many times,
without being able To answer the query.
My mother had very quietly and in her
determined way settled the whole affair.
and supposed had nothing 10 do but
quietly to submit TO the decree. | did
not dislike Rollin, and indeed there was
little about him to make one do any.
Thing but like him. knew my young
female friends cnvied me.
L was paying my last mailea visit
with my mother, and che wedding day
was drawing near. At the seaside where
we were met Breeze Rogers. and our
acquaintance mt once ripencd into friend.
s'.ip. !i:id scarcely noted che gSowti,
OF this intimacy until one evening Breeze
and | were taking Our accustomed walk.
when he suddenly turncdto mo and said !:
lis this thing true your mother tells
me?" aF
What thing?" almost whispered.
lyon know" he answered (iercelv.
us it true that you are TO be tho W lie of
Rollin Weatherbee next October? That
you are here to make your preparations?
Yes" The word came almost with
q gasp. He took my hands in his and
looked down upon me. .
You shall not-yon shall not love
you, YOU are mine now and forever"
Before l could speak or cry out he
hail taken me in his arm,, and was rain
ing kisses upon my lips. l was Young.
romantic and impulsive. This man had
aroused strange feeling in nv breast.
that now, ~ lay in his arms. [ believ.
Cd must be love. l could see tho recl>-
less beauty of his face Us it bent above
me, and almost unconsciouslyI clasped
my arms about his neck, sobbinr wildly.
and whispering: ooh, if hrl known
you sooncr-if it were not too late"
1t ia not too late" lie cried, passion
atciv, strainmg me to his heart. You
are mine, now and for all time. You
must be my wife :"
Bat | cannot" | sobbed. al am
bonnl to another-thc wedding day
draws near
Il care nothing for that. Yoa must
well me. and no other. l cannot give
you up"
His imp,rious manncr, his impassion-
ed carnastness, aroused my girlish adj
miratlon. lie seemed like some knight
OF oltcn romance to me, besides, whom
Rollin eatherbee. with his patrician
beauty. was completely overshadowcd.
For three weeks met Rogers each day.
and listened to his words of passionate
devotion. At last came m afternoon
late in September Twas TO meet Breeze
lot at,
the gorgeous sunset, with n heart full of
contcnding emotions. when mamma
came into the room. Rose" she said.
you remember Breeze Rogers who came
here so often some time ago.
Remember him." but | only said
Yes. mother" in n very low voice.
We'll. llarwood tells ne Il painful
thing in connection with him. She SAYS
her husband tells her il is the neighbor-
hood talk now. II seems there is 4 very
lovely voting girl. gardener daughter,
Cora Smith by name, whom Breeze has
been very attentive TO for somc months.
The girls father says she is hctrothcd
TO HIM. At all events he has been n
most ardent lover for year or more,
and now. without a word. or any arpa-
rent cause, lie has deserted her. Has
not been near her for two months, and
tho girl is very calling for him con.
staHtiv. but he does not 90 near her
II is thought she will die. She isa poor.
ffail, childish thing, and never knew
what il was to suffer before. Il is very
sad. What hcartlcss villain Inc must
be-"
My heart seemed 20 die within mo. 4
rush of emotion. shame, anger, grief.
misplaced love and wounded pride
fought together in my breast. On how
mean She man was whom | hal placed
above Rollin Weathcrbec lin my hearts
affection. How ! dcsplsed ldh for That
moment. Then began 20 think It might
not he so--thcrc might be some mistake.
Il will 20 to him tonight" I thought.
''and / shall know"
| did 20, when the shadows of the
gIooming settled down over tho earth.
| found him waiting for me. He held
out luis arms. but stood aloof
eco TO Cora Smith" I said she is
entitled 10 your caresscs-shc wants
them do not"
| needed no further proof ofhi5 guilt,
chin. and then pale NJ death.
What do You know Of her?" nc cried.
hoarscly. Who has been telling you
lics2"
mo one" 7 answered "Yorr race
ia prooforthc truth of all have heard.
! will make this our last meeting. Ny
eyes arc opened in time. thank God. I
do not want TO set them upon Won again
10 not try 30 see INC, for It will be use
less. utterly dcspisc yod. Go back
20 the only person who believes you
worthy ofloyc-who j. dying for You"
turned and sped back TO The housc.
and for two weeks scarcely stepped ont.
side it's walls. 1 was ill i'm Mind aud
body. My unreasoning romantic folly.
that ! hal called love, died suddenly NJ
one blow. and I knew there was only
one man ia the world that / loved. or