South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-01-07


enly she whispered:
II know all. and though I nav never
be yonrs, ! will never wed another"
Harry was nearer happiness than he
hid dreamed OF ever being asain. Now
that he was assured Of her loyc, her con-
siancy. he would hope and work on.
As Andrew Foster stood before The
window that New Years morning look.
ing out on the passers-by. many plea
s,nt-ioos,ng faces greeted him with
smile. aad Happy New Year, SIR"
A moment more, and the room door
was thrown open, and his boy, bis only
one, the youngest or his children, came
running Up. crying ont:
Happy New Year for papa, See pa
pa. Ed3ie's happy. New Years day,
with new clothes. new1boots, new every
thing. an going TO be . neto BOY, too.
Gertie says everybody must try tomalle
som sbody happy today am going TO
make Nellie happy, for I'll stop teasing
her. | wish oh, l wish mamma was
here" His blue eyes filed with tears
and his lips quiyerei /, and ina sofrnwsul
voice he continued: Il wish had been
n new boy when mamma was here"
fore him. hold up for his inspection. his
harshness? Was every word intended
to deal sure olow? When the little
seven year old Eddie spoke OF IMAM
ma" Andrew Foster could scarce repress
q groaA.
She was gore. Two years before she
had passed from earth. Oh, il she WAS
with him how different he would be?-
tie bad been good husband, and the
gentle wife could not find in him any
thing to rsproIch. Dut he knew how
much was lelt undone. How many lit.
tie lovin. acts That make life SO doubly
sweet were forgotten then.
Again Edlie's voice sounded in the
fathers car.
Papa, are you going tohc new man
to-day? Papa, make Inc happy with
splendid pair OF skates. And Nellie
aad Ceytie must be happy, too. papa
Make Gertie be II new girl, please. She
won't Stag an play wiz u.s. she's get
ing oil, | believe
No argument, no pleading, no matter
how earnest, could have made such an
impression on Andrew Foster rs that
child's innocen, prattle.
Again the door opened, and Gertie
and Nellie were beside him. The l.iases
were given and received. The father
saw ais child was striving TO nc cheer
fdl, and not cast her shadow over him.
He told them all To speak their wish.
what he should give them that day. Ed
die ana Neliie were quick to tell, but
Geriie said. with smile that threaten.
ell TO be q tear:
Give me what Won choose, fatler.
You give Els so much, Lave no wish To
speak; but" She he,itatei she al.
most dared u breathe il lor h. No, no
she would no: clond lis heart that dav.
She cast aside the Wild hope, and con-
tinaed: Bring me what you think Id
like; truss 10 your decision
After breakfast lie said:
You vii! lay aside your deep mourn
ing &c day. my chii aui help me re-
ceiye ny friends. We shall have ms
ny, l think"
She promised she would; bat her fa-
tier kacT !. wou.} be al unpleasant
t,,fi,-tha' C2r'ie would much sooner
spend TIE AaY quietly with her Little
ones, or il act7 OF love and mercy
The guests were all gone. The tire.
some day was nearly over. Gcrtie had
thrown herself wsariiy mo an arm chair
I1ere Was ~ longer need Tor discern
bling; the forced smiles could de away
she could rest and weep. The children
had been made happy. Her f:dher had
given oil save her tho New Year pres
ent5. Sine hal not cared for aar. Dut
she lad held q lingering hope tI,as lie
m4h5 come 10 her with = wosl that
woUj break 'ne l5ag silence, that shs
might plead oncw with him.
Asl.1v Foster iaI c.o-e,v wa'cho
lis child, as sae id, and with $50 much
dignity aud -race. ,he boHors oil Isis Gle
Trnt establishment. And lie saw thfo'
thc mask size wore. never So p'a.ll = vas
visible Use changes that lie last wear
E@j vrsugh. ga her beautiful face
Whom ie he's sia.. 50 vcar,lg into
the cll.r I.s heart smote him, aaJ ho
went co. ga. KS. Possibly Ls feared.
shov,d Dc i.a -a T.. .l.s' grow weak
AMI Ic,cr'.
Gertie hoafj ths bail dor close. and
7hc '.rcw 'icr father !ed gone ont l5e the
oycuin3 lholv
ii1v !,Is -..e remained shc knew not.
oeclaHL. N5t sleeping jreaus were
.sn.. Her mood o. depressing had ia.
hcn u.uss. AuJ she was smiling GENTLY.
s"e: j.. visions Oi ha.,.ag lines were
before hc-.
\ CAUTIOUS Sep approached She
heard it, set moved not nor opcncd her
eyes. Size wishcl uot 20 throw og the
'",st influence which was oyo. her.
lie. her g.. hcr bent gently. l0yiuo1y