South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-09-01
The Old Clocks Secret.


teeth together, in that grim fashion of
hers which told that her mind was fully
made up. he is rich. He can give you
nome second to none in all the coun.
try round. He can give you position
and influence
II don't want home. if have got to
marry FOR that. and nothing else" an.
swered Marcia. bitterly. Il don't care
LOT all the position and influence God.
Trey Marsh can give me. if have got to
accept him with them. hate him. IL
l married him would not live with him
n year"
You arc foolish girl" her mother
answered stcrnly. "A very foolish girl.
There isn't another girl in IIilbury that
wouldn't jump Mt the chance YOU have.
Anu don't believe YOU will let il slim
Out CT your hands when You think it O.
yer as sensible girl should"
Il shall never change my mind" an.
swercd Marcia, with something of her
mothers grim determination i'm her
voice. "Never."
You are thinking of Dick Gresham.
OF course" sneered Mrs. Stanhope. lie
Is a much more desirable fellow than
Godfrey Marsh, suppose. | infer that
you would not hesitate to accept the
position and influence he could give you,
as Mrs. Gresham"
II have never said anything Of the
kind, answered Marcia, with rising
nush "lle has never asked me to saw
anything of the kind, and certainly
shall wal: till | am asked. Dick Ores.
ham is an honest. respectable man; and
the peer Of Godfrey Marsh in every way.
Godfrey Marsh's money count out of
the question entirely
IL understand how the case stands"
said Mrs. Stanhopc, sternly. II have
told you before, and repeat it again.
that You may understand me fully-ncv-
or, with my consent, shall YOU marry
DICK Gresham. | don't believe he cares
nan as much for you rs you 10 for him
IL he does, Inc doesn't show it rs most
men are apt TO do, and you will save
good deal of gossip if YOU keep YOUR
fancy for Kim little more 10 yourself.
People are not blind"
And then Mrs. Stanhope went out
and Marcia sat and thought Those
last words OF her mothers might hold a
good deal of truth in them. She had
sometimes wondered if Dick Gresham
did not care for her rs she cared for him?
lie was not like most men IT, was not
IN his nature to be demonstrativc. Per.
! haps he was waiting TO DC sure of his
own hcart-and of her regard for him.
She had been with him n good deal. She
had wondered more than once if hc low.
Ell her. IL he did, he had never told ber
SO. She believed that he did however
There was the rattle of carriagc wheels
ut the gate. She looked out with a frowp
gath ring on her face. She knew who
was there. well enough.
us Marcia at home?" she heard God.
Trey Marsh ask her mother. "If she is
should like to take her out for a drive
this afternoon
Yes" she heard her mother rerIv-
She'll he delighted to 90. I'll cali her,
Il won't CO." she thought hurriedly.
with little angry gesture Then she
thought better of that decision. IL
would offend her mother if she refused.
and their life was not very harmonious
one OF late. And perhaps Dick Ores.
ham might sec them, and conclude 10
speak out.
so they got ready and went.
"hlle she was gone, Dick Gresham
came TO see her. Mrs. Stanhopc met
him coldly, but politely.
lie inquired for Marcia.
'She has gone out to ride with Mr..
Godfrey Marsh" Mrs Stanhopc answer.
cd with al inward chuckle 1T the dis
committed look on Dicks face.
! Il am very sorry" he said. II want.
ed to see her very much. am going
away this evening, and do not know
how long | shall bc gone, nor how far |
shall so. I wanted to say sometime To
her before | went" Dick knew that
! Mrs. Stanhope hated him. lie felt IL.
but he was frank and honest with her.
IL cant say when she will nc back"
Mrs. Stanhope said. II think Mr.. Marsh
expects to stop 20 tea From that in.
fer that they will be gone most of tho
| afternoon
YES, qnito likely" answered Dick.
abscntly. ! shall not see her, then. but
/ ! might write what | wanted TO say. and
/ leave IT for you 60 give her"
/ es. you could do that" she said
YOU Will find pen and paper in the sec.
rotary there"
It's the best can do" thought Dick
/ ia much rather have said it: but. if
can't DO that I'll have 70 do the next
best thing"
lie wrote down what he came 20 say
TO Marcia Stanhopc, and sealed il in an
envelope upon which he wrote her name.
IF you will give it 90 her" bo said
laying 1t down upon tho table hy Mr.,
/ Stanlopc, you will be doing me q favor
had rather not to tell You what 7 Lavc
written, tho perhaps you have n RIGHT 70
know. Marcia may tell you."
Then nc said goodbye and went away.
u have right 10 know. according ~
bis own admission" Mrs Stanhope said.
and tore away the envelope. She read
his letter through carefully.
think fate isplaying into my hands"
she said grimly. 1T will bc quite lone
time before your letter is answered II I
am no: mistaken, Dick Gresham"
Size went TO the old clock in tho cor.