South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-01-07
A New Years Surprise.

up during the night, FOR although his
head rested on q downy pillow, sleep
never visited him during those long.
last hours of the old year nor tho iigst
OF the infant successor. At the best of
time when mans or q woman's heart
Is free from the burden OF Disappearing
conscience, there is something deeply
impre sslve about "old years night
I As we watch, passing, passing so swift
! ". dying GU. those last moments. how
many a heart is filed with vain regrets
! Dut there Is another ciance-a better
i time, he says the morrow VIC will Degin
anew, make amends for the past, TO him
OF her. Yet, o. IL. wish the passing
year, that one that we nj gAt have made
happier has gone too-gone beyond re-
call-,hen ours are ceaselcss regrets.
1t was not thus, however. with An
drew Foster. The particular one whose
! happiness he had marred still WAS with
him. Daily lie saw tho face, once so
bright and beautiful. growing pa'er
missed the merry. brdl;lle voice that
filed the house with the sweetest music
Yes; although he knew she WAS fading
under his hard unbending will, no would
not bring her back 10 life-ave: Cor
during those midnight hours, as vajnIy
he Mooed sleep, there would come in
stead the plaiutive li:tle face. with tie
great bcseeching looking eyes. Why
could he not yield? Why, because pride
said nay. Could he. Andrew Foster,
one OF the weal.hiest men of the city,
give his child 10 one so "a, beneath her
position, and possessing nothing more
than his own good name.
Harry Landon was one Of her fathers
clerks, and Gertic Foster, despite the
great gulf between them, grew 10 love,
with all the devotion of her nature, tic
| handsome young man. Every one liked
Harry. and respected him: and no one
in Andrew Fosters employ possessed
more fuliy his confidence. Many times
lie would remark to friends. "Landoa is
4 fine fellow. noble fellow !" But
when the truth came TO the proud father
that this young man had dared 10 love
his child, his opinion must have under.
gone great change, for he could scarce
| ly restrain his wrath sufficiently to treat,
with any show of decent politeness, Har.
ry Landon, when he came TO him in q
manly, truthful manner, and told his
love.
Have you presumed to tell Miss
Foster this, sir?" asked the indignant
father.
NO. SIR came to you FIRST. scarce.
~ daring TO hope you would give me
permission to speak. Still, there was
- possibility. and 1 seized it. But am
sure Miss Foster is not ignorant of my
/ feelings"
WHY. why are Won sure. sir?"
why? Oh, sir why do the blind
know that the sun is shining, when their
whole being is filed with its warmth:
| Need we tell them what it is? Every
true woman knows when she is loved.
! Her heart tells her. Oh, sir ask Won
not 10 give her TO me now-nOt until
can prove my woIthiness. Let me speak
/ 10 her.
"impossihle, ! will never consent
lis useless TO say more on tho subject.
And after this conversation suppose
you will not feel 50 we'll contonted in
your position with our house,
Il was about to ask, sir. ir you would
give me letters of introduction to some
other establishment"
Certainly. certainly. Landon. I will
see that you have IA position quite -
good, to say the least. az your present
one. II am sorry this has happened.
| am your friend in every other way
/ You must remember and command my
services when You wish"
Aad 50 the young man and his EN-.
ployer parted.
Days passed until n fortnight had c.
/ Iapsed, and Gertie had not seen Harry
LandOn She missed him from the store.
too. and with her usual straightforward,
candid manner, she went 10 her father
| and asked
Where is Harry Lan1on, father"
lie hos left US, for better position
at Blacks answered her father, with bis
eyes still on his paper
why did he leave you. father
hearI You say VOL were going % do moro
for linn"
Andrew Foster raised his eyes then.
and looking sternly into his daughter.
replied:
"ile presumed too far ON nv friend.
ship, and &c was desirable 10 both him
aud myself .ha lac should seek cmp,o,.
ment elsewhere"
Her beau; iul, truthful eyes were sl.ll
gazing into his with an eager. anxious
expression. She sunk dowa on a stool
a. his feet. leaned her head caressingIv
against him q moment. and then wills
/. pered, with a blush sulfusing her pref.
. ~. child.like face:
FEATHER, did lac tell you that bc loved
your daughter? And was il that Won
sent him away for?"
Yes. Gertic. lie might have known
] would not listen n moment 20 lHs Suit.
lieisa very worthy you3Z man butrsal-
ly it was very presuming 20 him to-"
"Presuming. father in an honorable
worthy man 20 love me2 / don't think
50. 1 feel honored by the love sf sarl
n one. And, further. he has told YOU
his secret; ] will 30 80 too. Although
he may never know It, I love Harry
I andrD 9"