South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-11-24
LOVE vs.. A RAIN STORM.
BIT Iuc,LLr HOLLIS.

Mollic Redmond was tired or staying
In the house. She was vivacious, rest.
less little mortal, and the accident that
had confined her for three weeks to the
pleasant parlors on Cambridge square
was serious matter to her. What
made it more agravating was that it
should have occurred while she was ut
Uncle Hcrbert's, where she invariably
had "a glorious timc"-that is how Mol.
lie expressed it: and that on this very
day, when she was to go ont again, it
should rain!
1T was mean" and so Mollie stood
in the shade of the lace curtains. drum
ming the tips of her fingers upon the
window-panes. and looking with rueful
eyes upon the steadily descending,
drenching drops, and the murky tides
that rushed along the cutters.
IF only Frank would send me nice,
long letter to-day, Or What other
amusement Miss Redmond was about to
suggest must forever remain an unsolv.
ed problem to mortal ken; for, at that
moment, aunt Anna entered the parlor.
She came straight to where Mollie stood
and placed her white left haad, where n
diamond solitaire and plain broad
wedding ring rested, upon the girls
shoulder.
''Mollie, dear, 1 am obliged to 30 out
this morning. In case you weary of
novels and fancy work. / would like to
get you to do favor for me-"
Certainly, auntie shall be delight.
ed. What is itp"
ITO 60 in tho library and arrange my
escritior. The picture hanger was so care.
less as to upset it yesterday and fear
the contents are sadly disordered. And
look carefully for that list of tableaux
l mentioned last night. We must COM
mence to prepare for that affair soon.''
"All right, auntie," and Mollie wan
dered into the library, picked up book
that she liked, and forgot about the es-
critoir until nearly lunch time.
Seating herself before it, she soon ar
ranged its contents, and found the dc.
sired list, and something else that in.
terestcd her. 1t was faded miniature
case, containing picture o: n handsome
girl. On the white satin, opposite the
face, was written: Herbert, Augusta
-. IS
The luncheon-bell rung, and Mollie
went down. meeting aunt Anna, who
had just come in, upon the stairs.
You must be glad to get back, aun-
tie; aren't you almost drowned?"
'Oh, no; L do not mind a rain Storm"
said aunt Anna, laughing.
AT luncheon. Mollie announced. 81
found the list, auntie, and an old picture
of pretty girl"
odd you know her?" asked aunt
Anna, smiling. and passing some cold
chicken to Mollie.
mo. Who was she?'
your uncle lIerbert's alliance once"
"Why, auntie! And did she dic?"
"Oh, no. She is living still, in New
York"
Then why did not uncle Herbert
marry her? Did your yellow hair on
tangle his heart to the exclusion Of her
image?" cried Mollie gayly.
You must ask uncle Herbert to tell
You about it. lie says it was 4 case of
love versus a rain.storm.
In the afternoon note came from
Mr.. Maynard's Office, saying that he
meant to take the ladies to the opera in
the evening, as he thought Mollie we'll
enough TO go out if we'll wrapped up.
Prank Eustace will meet Us there" he
added.
OF course. Mollie was delighted with
the contents OF the note. especially the
last sentence; and flushed checks aud
sparkling eyes greeted uncle Herbert's
return.
"Uncle Herbert" Molic exclaimed
at dinner, "tell me about love versus n
rain.storm.'"
why. you little fraud, what 10 you
know about that"
IL found n miniature in auntie's CO.
critoir, and she said the lady was your
alliance once, but that her own golden
hair cntangled your heart to the exclu.
sion of the other lady's image
81 think you made that suggestion
yourself" laughed Mrs Maynard.
81 believe did. And it was true.
was it not, uncle Ierb?"
ut certainly was, Mollio."
"Auntie said that you called it case
OF love versus a rain-storm" and that
you would tell me about it,"
Il will when we are in the carriage"
In the carriage Mr.. Maynard began ::
Twelve years ago | was young
man.
You are now" Interrupted Mollic.
"Be silent, Miss, or / shall not tell
you the story"
IL am silent" said tho irrepressible.
Twelve years ago ! was n young
fellow; secretary in the New York
house Of the firm Of which 7 am now
partner. AS had few acquaintance
there, and lived in n hotel. gladly &C.
cepted the offer Of fellow clerk. Nv.
ron Cowpcrthwaite, TO introduce me 10
his sisters"
"Thc Cowperthwaitcs lived on n quiet
street, in n plain house. but their homo
was apretty, cherry one and there were
three girls; merry, witty, good looking.
aud nhQrmInO q