South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-07-21
The Story Of q Glove.
BY TnERfsr.


"wANTED.--A governess for two
children. aged respectively ten and
eight. The pereon must be competent
to teach all the English branches. also
French and music. Address Mrs. l.. r.
Rivers. Elmont Station. Kentucky"
Mary Delmere dropped the paper list.
iessly, and sat for several moments
gazing into the fire. At last she said,
half aloud:
II will try, at least, through this ave.
nue. to escape my present thrall,lom.
God has deprived me Of my parents.
am my own mistress, and il they dare
to oppose me, ! will assert my right to
act for myself"
She went to her own little room, and
seating herself at her desk. drew forth
paper. pen and ink. and began to write.
AT the tender age of fourteen, Nfary's
only remaining parent died, leaving her
entirely unprovided for, and her faith.
er's brother had taken her home with
him TO live. He was q kind.heartetl,
benevolent man, and cared for the for.
lorn little orphan rs he did for his own
two daughters. She had every educa.
tional advantage given her. and at eigh /.
teen she was m accomplished young
lady. Her chief delight was her music.
When at the piano. playing sometimes
from her favoritc composers, but oftencr
lmprovised strains, she seemed to forget
Tor the time every care & sorrow and the
rapt expression OF her face rendered it
almost beautiful. She possessed a gu
perb voice. that was pathetic even when
singing the liveliest airs. Her cousin
compared it to
THE bensdictiou
That follows after prayer"
At least, it invariably seemed to have
that effect upon Alice.
This cousin, who was her uncle's
youngest daughter, was near Mary's
own age, and her constant companion
and bosom friend for the first FIVE
years other abode in that house. They
had attended school together, and grad
uated the same day. But Alice was
beautiful and attractive, winning hearts
wherever she went; and not many
months elapsed ere she found her hero,
and they were married. In vain Alice
begged and persuaded Mary to accept
home with her. Her husband was a
man Of moderate means, and had he been
over SO wealthy, Mary had too much
pride to take home from one on whom
she had no claims. So the friends were
forced to separate.
Mary's aunt and other cousin envicd
and hated her because she possessed
more accomplishments than the latter,
and they made her home unpleasant by
repeated sneers and insults; but for
the sake Of her kind uncle, whom she
loved as her own father she bore them
bravely and without complaint, and rs
long rs he lived, performed with loving
care all the duties Of devoted daugh.
ter to him. But about three months
before our story opens, Death the great
destroyer, came and robbed her of her
only earthly protector. After his
death, her aunt and cousin made her
life almost unbeatable Constantly was
the fact flung at her that she was DEEPEN
dent, and every day she was reminded
of the weight OF her obligation to them.
"Ungrateful wretch ~ was their favoritc
epithet for the lonely orphan.
The proud spirit Of the girl was gall
and indignant and hurt. she often re-
beIled in a manner that in her cooler
after-thoughts she was thoroughly n.
shamed OF. She had long since resolv.
ed TO quit their roof as soon as she
found some means to provide for herself.
Accordingly. when the above advertise
mcnt came TO her notice, she wrote
without delay and offered her services,
giving az reference her former teachers.
a few other letters were passed, and Mt
last the final arrangements were made
and the day appointed for her arrival at
Elmont Station.
Her aunt and cousin were ignorant OF
her plans, until about week before
her departure she informed them.
Mary had not expected opposition, and
was not surprised when her aunt cooliy
told her she could do as she pleased.
Laura, couldn't let the chance slip of n
parting taunt, and in a would.be sarcas.
tic voice offered her best wishes for sue
cess in the search for rich husband.
Mary did not condescend to reply TO
this insult, and no more was said about
the matter. and she was allowed to
make her preparations and depart in
peace.
Tears came into the Orphans eyes ne
she read letter from Alice, her only
friend, full Of aGectionate regard and
encouragement.
II can but admire" she said, your
independent, self.reliant spirit, dear
Mamie and greatly rs / would like to
have you always with me in my sweet
little western home, would not urge
you to give up your position and come.
| know you will be happier in your new
vocation than with us Should you ever
need friend, however, my husband
joins me IN begging you to come to US
without reluctance"
Miss Delmere. from Georgy. I
spocsm," said An old darkey. stepping
mp to Mary as she alighted from the plat.