South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-05-26

''Oh, Sibyl Sibyil You cannot be 90
cruel. / don't ask you TO be my vito
now. No one can accuse me a being .
fortune-huntsr. All want is one word
OF encouragement from your lips, Sibyl.
With your love, to cheer me on. how
easy IL will be TO climb the rugged path
and reach the pinnacle of fame"
Charlie Ashton looked down at the
cold. set face before him as il his very
life depended on the answer that came
from the colorless lips.
Sibyl Lamax's lips quivered. and her
cyelids dropped until the dark, curling
lashes rested upon her cheeks; but her
emotion was but momentary, for the
next instant her eyes sought her lovers
face, determination cleaning from their
dark, luminous depths.
Charlie, your pleading makes me feel
miserable, l would rather hear no more
OF it. repeat we can never be more
to each other than mere friends"
"But Sibyl, you love me your actions.
your words have told me so all along.
Oh, Sibyl! Sibyl! do not turn away
pity me. pity YOURSELF" cried the young
man. in passionate voice.
But Charlie Ashton might as well
speak to q stone as Sibyl Lamar. in her
present mood.
leave me-" she said, in icy tones.
II have given you my answer. We can
never be more than friends"
.'Then / shall not trouble you with
my presence again. This evening |
leave W forever. Good bye. Sibyl."
Another minute and Charlie was
gone. A moan escaped from Sibyl La.
mars colorless lips. and covering her
dark passionate face with her hands she
sank into the luxurious depths Of an
easy chair.
What is the matter with Charlie. said
Miss Estelle Lamar, a spinster Of forty
five, hurriedly entering the room. "He
rushed past me. Why Sibyl, child what
has happened. what means that CHASTITY
face?"
Nothing Of any consequence has
happened, Aunt, Estelle," answered
Sibyl, trying to look unconcerned.
Now, Sibyl. do not tell me that
Something must have happened to make
lovers act SO strangely"
1--WE are not lovers. Aunt Estelle.
Charlie Ashton has just asked me to be
his wife, and have refused him! J"
'Sibyl Lamar, are you mad?"
81 hope not. Aunt Estelle.
Then why have you refused Charlie,
whom you loved so dearly?"
Because Charlie is so very poor, and
the world expects me to make such q
brilliant match. A Lamar never mar
ried beneath them. will marry Henry
Bidwell, he is handsome, courted, and
wealthy"
"My poor. poor. child" said Aunt Es-
ed the cursed pride Of the Lamar's had
taken such deep root in your heart. So
you are going to please the world, and
make yourself miserable for lfe?"
"Oh, Aunt, please do not talk to me
so. / feel miserable enough now.
loved Charles as shall never love an
other, but"
"But what?' interrupted Aunt Estelle.
impatiently.
II cannot marry him. 1t would be
such disappointment to father-such
a surprise TO everybody"
''Sibyl, do not put it off on your father
you know he would deny you nothing.
Call Charlie back while there is yet time,
child, or the sorrow Of twcnty.seven
years OF my life, caused by the silly
pride of my girlhood. may yet be your
experience"
why, Aunt Estelle. I never knew
that you lived under cloud" said Sibyl,
looking up into her aunrs face.
II suppose not, my dear; the wonder.
full pride OF our family keeps the Lamar
women from wearing their hearts out
side as pin-cushion for everybody IN
stick pin in, said Aunt Estelle, q Quiet
smile stealing over her features. Have
you never wondered why I am unmar.
ried Sibyl?"
Yes indeed, aunt; and have often
been on the point Of asking you the rea-
son, but your manner always forbade
me. You are beautiful now. You must
have been very beautiful when you was
young girl; surely it was not your
own fault that you arc not married?"
Eyes, it was all my own fault. At
your age was considered very beauti.
ful-very like What you are now Sibyl.
bad suitors by the score. / accepted
one who was my equal in wealth, station,
pride. everything. loved him as my
very life, and we we're TO be married in
n very short time, when suddenly he
was reduced to poverty. His father had
been induced by certain man, in whom
he plsced implicit confidence, to invest
all his wealth in speculation that turn.
eel out TO be one Of the greatest frauds
of the day. Report said that my lover 8
father had committed suicide when the
news reached him that he was a ruined
man. | might have overlooked the pov.
erty but marry the son Of suicide?
The pride Of the Lamars forbade. sent
messenger TO learn IL IL was true that
my lovers father was dead. Yes, it was
true; and | sat down and penned note
telling him lie must not call on me again
that We could never be anything to
each other now. Without n second
thought sent ths note. Oh, Heaven |!
shall ever forget that night? How my