South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-09-22
Romney, Hampshire County West September e. 1876

forgotten his young days. i intimated,
not without considerable awkwardness,
that the special object of my visit had
been to see Cecil.
"Well, she is in the parlor, all by her.
SELF" said the squire good.humoredly,
motioning me in. "Walk in-walk in.''
Cecilia Vernon was sitting in the par.
lor alone. as her father had said, tie
bright center Of cheerful circle of
lamp-light. A bit OF crochet-work was
lying in her lap. and an open volume of
poems-poems had sent her--was on
her table.
Cecilia Vernon was always fair to look
upon, in my sight; tonight, however,
she seemed more than ordinarily beau
tiful.
sat down. and began unhesitatingly
upon the never-failing topic of the wea.
Their. A proposal had seemed the easiest
thing in the world as l walked along the
dewy edges Of the peaceful starlight
road, contemplating it from afar off; bat
now that was face to face with it, Alps
upon Alps Of difficulty and perplc kitty
seemed to surround its accomplishment.
l would have given all that l was worth
to postpone the evil day, but twenty
four hours-all but my self-respect, and
that was imperiled now.
Cecilia tried her best to keep the ball
Of conversation in motion; she introdu-
ced new subjects, asked leading ques.
tons. and fcigned deep interest in the
most abstruce Of topics. But even &C.
ella could not talk on forever, and pre-
scntly, with light sigh of despair, she
subsidized into silence.
Now was the eventful moment Of my
destiny.
"Cecilia!" / said softly.
She raised the liquid brown eyes to
mine
IL want to contide in you tonight
have l your permission to speak?"
Certainly, Mr. Markham"
81 am very much in love Cecilia; in
fact my heart has long ago gone out Of
my posse ssion into that Of
| stopped, with the fatal husky feeling
in my throat. Cecilia was blushino Ill
vinely l drew my chair close to hers,
with the sensation Of man who has just
pulled the string on cold shower bath.
"Who is the lady?' faltered Cecilia,
rs if she did not know perfectly we'll
alreal y.
Shall show you her picture, Cecilia"
'Miss Vernon inclined her head al
most to the level Of my shoulder to look
ut the little cart de u;she drew from my
pocket. I skillfully stole one arm a
round her waist.
"Se,, dearest!'
But to my horror and dismay, she
snatched her hand from my clasp, sprang
up and started away, like some fair a
venging goddess.
'How dare you insult me thus, Mr..
Markham"
Cecilia! how-what-"
Don't presume to call me Cecilia,
sir !" soboed the indignant girl, bursting
into tears and sweeping from the room,
L sat like one palsied. What had l
done? Why was tue gracious mood OF
my cnchantress thus suddenly trans
formed to gall and bitterness? Surely
she would presently return and apollo
gize for her capriciouS exit. But she
did not return, and after waiting long i'll
vain, l sneaked out of side door and
crept dejectcdly home, my heart burn
ing with wonder and resentment. l had
no mind To meet the assembled family
group, SO l admitted myself with the
latch.key and stole nOiseles-ly upstairs,
where my lamp still burncd-the lamp
| had lighted with such high and bound.
ing hopes
/ threw off my coat viciously. AS
did so, the forgotten carte dc visite drop
ped from my pocket. / stopped to pick
it up. 1t was the portrait of BESSIE AR.
mitage And there on the mantcl where
in my needless haste had left l., was
the divine countenance of my queen,
Cecilia!
l had shown her the wrong photo
graph
All was clear now. Her Indignation
and resentment-the whole tangled web
of mystery was unrayoled now | caught
up my hat TO rush back TO her. but at
that moment the clock struck eleven
1t was too late now. An apology and
explanation must be deferred until the
morrow. And with disconnected spirit
| sought my couch.
Early the next morning walked over
TO the Vernon mansion but expeditions
as | was, Treroil had been there before
me. | met him coming whistling down
the walk as selfpossessed as ever.
Good morning" 1 said briefly, en-
deavoring 70 pass him; but he detain-
ed me.
Congratulate me, my dear fellow
| am the happicst man in the world
Cecilia Vernon has just promised TO be
my wife
] stared blankiy ~ him, and with one
or two unintelligiblo murmurs, turned
short round and walked home again.
My rival had improved the propiiious
opportunity, and caught Cecilia's heart
IN its rebound
Well-so goes the world, and / am n
bachelor yet. There IL but Que Cecilia
and she, alas, is married to Fitzhugh
TreCoil
Moral.-When you 90 counting. be
certain whose picture it is you are car
rvsiucr ua~f x-nur Hooy4f