South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-01-28
it seemed to Harry a propitious moment

Amy" he said, ''you must dance
with me all the evening. You know 1
love you best"
How foolish you are. Harry she
answered, with light laugh.
"Ah, come now" pleaded her com.
panion, give me your hane, and prom.
Use to be mine."
And Amy with no moro serious
thought than partnership in the dance,
let him clasp her little fingers in his
1t was only then that she heard the
sound of step behind them, and turn
ing suddenly saw Cousin Tom. He was
very white, and his eyes had a strange
mournfulness in them that Amy had
never oeen before, but before she
could utter word or withdraw her
hand, he had turned suddenly and dis
appeared into the large hail.
Amy came into the nursery with such
n solemn face that we all began to laugh
at her, and, although she danced with
Harry. the grave expression never quite
left her.
AS for Cousin Tom, we saw him no
more that evening.and early next morn.
I III WCt.I away. lDl.jOt tstlsN JUST
ness, he declared forced him TO lie ave,
and great were the lamentations that
the place of our favorite was empty
when we sat down to the grand Thanks
giving dinner.
And this. although it was his first alb
scncc, was by no means the last. Be-
fore the autumn festival had come round
again, Cousin Tom had gone abroad
indefinitely" he said to his friends.-,
Harry was in good situation in New
York. and did not need him: no one
would miss him. This was what he
said, rather sadly, to my mother when
he came to bid us good bye.
The seasons came and went, and gray
November brought Thanksgiving merry.
making TO us again, and still Cousin
Tom did not return.
There are fewer of us young people
together at the old homestead row, but
those who did come began to bring with
them now cousins and little baby crea
lures, so that the nursery has; gone back
to its original use, and we who had once
occupied it, found ourselves spending
the long evenings in the great drawing
room.
Five years had thus passed away, and
the great event Of this gathering was to
be that Harry was to bring his bride to
it. Yes, Harry was married. With
much difficulty Amy at last had made
him understand that his suit to her was
hopeless; aud he, after brief period OF
mourning, had consoled himself with q
pretty black-eyed girl as unlike his for
mer love as possible.
And rs to Amy. the years had
ll.yrnnqht, TO her a tenderer loveliness. I'M
/ I'll Ut ~ she Has, DsO',~~----l - --r-~.
womanhood.
Thanksgiving eve was gloomy and
threatening snow, but two or three ofus
resolved, just before dusk, that we
would go ont for little walk. We wen,
on brisk!y, enjoying The quiet of the
still country, that was wrapped in soft
ve'l of grey clouds. from which the
white flakes camo ROLLING down softly
before the walk was half over, SO that,
as we drew near the homestead again.
the air was quite thick with the falling
snow.
As we reached the gate, the rest pass.
Ell us and went in-Amy and linger.
ed moment looking out ut the peace
full scene.
A mutlled figure at that moment was
outlined in the dimness, walking swift.
ly toward US. Amy caught my arm with
Il sudden, convulsive grasp.
WHO is that?" she exclaimed.
Her face was white, and she was trem.
bling violently. looked eagerly at the
newcomer, but before | could utter his
name she had recognized him.
Cousin Tom ~
She uttered the word in two tremu.
lous accents, as if overcome with great
weight OF JOY, and her eyes lighted up
with n radiance | had not seen in them
for years, rs she started forward 10 meet
him.
AS for him great glow ofhappincss
flooded all his face-that good, honest
face we had all loved so much. and.
coming to her quickly, he caught her in
his arms.
Amy ANY," he whispered, MY
darlingw
When / knew their secret, I slipped
away into tbe house, leaving them alone
there.
Sly news was received with shouts Of
delight. and when ut last Tom and ANY
made their appearance. there was tn.
multuous greeting for him, followed
presently by uproarious congratulations
for both.
You see" said cousin Tom. Mt last.
in explanation. II thought Harry had
won her. and she would never care for
an old fellow like me, so / went quietly
away. But | find now that she las
liked nc oil the time, and, though am
older than ever. that she is willing 10
give herself TO me-"
-------- - . -
iV'Arsene Hoassaye tells Of n pic.
boian who went to Rothschilds 20 borrow
$1,000. Here il is" said the Baron.
but remember that as a rule only lend
TO crowned heads. VI. De Rothschild
never dreamed of seeing bis money n.
gain, but. wonderful 70 relate. at the end
4. A a.