South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-06-02


''lIe has made his own bed" said Ma.
jor Martindsle. ''and he must lie in it,
Major Martindale folded up certain
obnoxious letter, a. he made this mental
remark, and laying it on gilded letter
rack beside him. in company with q tai.
lor's bill. o ticket to some forthcoming
amateur concert and printed circular
concerning insurance policies" went
deliberately on with his breakfast.
lie was handsome, elderly gentle.
man. slightly bald, bright brown eyes.
straight Roman features. and one OF
those square, firmly nodded mouths
which betoken decided tendency to
have ones own way. And as he drank
his coffee. and daintily manipulated his
French rolls, broiled birds and fresh
strawberries, served i'm garnitnre OF
their own leaves, he unused over the con.
tents Of this same letter.
ut is n great mistake to allow SER
want to bring in ones correspondence
at meal times. reflected Major Martin
dale. It's almost certain to interfere
with ones digestion. I'll never read
another letter ut breakfast time. What
could possess my son to go and get mar.
ried in this abrupt. nonsensical way?
Says che feared it would he impossible
to gain my consent" Well, he had
good reason for his fears. He'll find it
still moro impossible after marriage than
before. He knows my ideas. and if he
don't choose to conform TO 'em, its his
business, not mine"
And SO. after finishing his strawbcr-
ries, and daintily cleansing his iilbcrt
nailed fingers in the rudy colored finger
bowl, Mr.. Martindale wrote three words
on thick, gray sheet of note paper, in.
closed it in an envelope. affixed n stamp,
and gave it to the servant TO post, and
the three words were these: "Coasider
yourseif disinherited.'
That was the way in which Major
Martindale disposed Of his only son.
Not that he did not love IIarry-the
bright, frank boy, who was all that was
left of his young wife, the one romantic
dream and tender memory of his life
time-hut he liked his own way better.
And it is surprising how obstinate man
can be when he once turns his attention
to the business.
'Disinherited! Oh, Harry and for
me-"
Mrs. Harry Martindalc, n pretty, blue
eyed woman, with light hair, that show
cred itself around ner face like sunshine.
little dots of dimples in her checks and
chin and n round fresh mouth like y ba.
by's. looked piteously ~ into her nus
band face, rs he answered bravely:
Never mind, Ariel. We can afford
you and /, to be Independent OF II c:usty
old gentleman's money. I'll see about
that clerkship in st. Louis"
Half the world away from me. Harry"
ut won't be for long. pet. Cheer up !.
I'll send for you when I've got we'll cs-
tablishcd, and we will have little bird $
nest of q home. without asking any ia
vors Of my father
Ariel smiled through the tear drops
that sparklcd in her eyes. She was
easily consoled. A girls heart at cigh-
teen is blessedly elastic.
Major Martindale elected to go to At
lantic City for the hot weeks that season.
Why, he did not especially particularize
to himself. Saratoga was dull ut New
port one was half mile away from the
his fastiGious taste. SO to Atlantic
City he went. rather enjoying the very
perceptiblc nets and snarcs spread for
him by the various widows, old maids
and gushing damsels who were there en-.
gagged in the great husband hunting
campaign.
IL wonder if they think am n fooI?''
said the Major. as hc strolled OH the
beach with cigar in his mouth
But one day the major found himselr
forced to give up o pic mic on account Of
n strange and unusual feeling OF lassi-
tude and languor, and The next he was
in bed.
This looks serious said the Major
to himself. 1--WE heard OF low fever
hanging about. but I never thought Of
it's attacking INC -"
The doctor came. twirlcd his watch.
chain, wrote aprodigious Latin prescrip-
ton. and shook his head.
People made haste To- vacate the rooms
in the immediate yicinage Of No. 90, and
the Major began to dimly comprehend
through mist that was gathering slow
~ around his brain. that it was likely TO
90 hard with him.
II will stay and nurse him, doctor
] bad the fever. year or two since, and
do not fear il, and am handy with such
people"
but my dear. you've no idea what
you're undertaking"
Yes, have" answered the soft low
tones, land we must not let him die for
want Of proper care.
rs your aunt willirg?"
Quite So
Then you may try but take my
word for IL, youll back down at tie end
Of the first week"
Major Martindale heard these words
coming. as it were, out OF the clouds. as
he might have heard the thunder Of tho
waves on the beach outside. or the ring.
ing Of the church hollis. without at all