South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-03-23

Itfl-f
sang 70 him and talksd With him. But
By and by when be- had grown strong
and vigorous. and whpa his innats man.
hoosi mad manifested himself, che grew
shy and taciturn and finally sought to
avoid him. - 80
And then for the arst time in his life
Paul knew wha: true love was. For the
6rst time lie experienced that secse OF
devotion which leads the heart to Offer
itself upon the alter Of faith in the wo-
man loved. He askod Mr.. Grayson il
he might seek his daughter's lore. The
overseer did not object.
And Della? Had Paul been so we'll
versed in reading the human heart in its
native truth as he was in translating the
siren song OF fattesy be might have
known that the love OF the beautiful
girl was all his own.
SO, when Paul R1pford had been q
year At Wildwood. Della became his
wife. and he was hsPpy--happier far
than he bad ever beehD And he ass I'D.
vanced In the mills from a clerkship to
n responsible agency. and thus he had
frequent occasion to visit the city hut
there was nothing in its din and glare
attractive TO him. and he always came
home with deeper and more abiding
love for his own fond hearthstone at
Wildwood.
During the 1rst year Of Pauls mar.
rage branch Railroad was opened to
Wildwood. and thus they were within an
hour OF the city; and the mill property
was greatly enhanced in value.
"Ah.' said the young man one day,
as he stood upon the piazza Of his cot
tage. ard looked Off upon the rolling
landscape o. hill and dale that stretched
away beyond the river, IF only owned
that sweep Of land ~
ut Is certainly a fine prospect" said
tis Uncle Bctterman, who had come up
to pay him a visit.
AYE" added Paul. and how it must
increase in value now that the Railroad
has opened this way"
At this juncture Della came out and
called them in to tea. She took Uncle
Arson by thu arm. and told him he was
her prisoner. And he bent over and
kissed her, and said it would be a most
blessed imprisonment.
| Don't you find it SO, Paul?"
at is heaven where she is2" was
Paurs answer.
And upon that she left Uncle Arson,
and threw her arms about her husband S
neck.
Dear Paul, you are great blessing
to me!'
Shortly afterward the old merchant
sail to his nephew:
| paul, do you ever find yourself long.
ing for the old life in the city,"
Does the saved mariner look hack
with longing upon the fearful death Inc
has escaped, and willingly return to
storm and wreck?"
81 think not. my boy"
"And can man, in his full sense
long for the dazzle and glare of the
empty life that brings only pain and I'M.
rest, when bright spirit like this holds
watch anil ward for him over an earthly
heaven?"
lie held his wife by the hand as he
spoke. and his eye was radiant with a
light Supernatural.
1t was on the following day--a beauti
ful day in early autumn--that Paul and
Della walked out upon the gentle hill that
sloped up from their cottage. And a.
gain he looked of upon the grand spread
of landscape beyond the river.
"Ah." he said. "If owned that land
l would do great work. Della"
What would you do?" asked voice
behind him.
Paul turned and beheld his uncle.
"lf you owned the land, what would
you do with it?'
81 would make il bloom with life p
replied the youth eloquently. Think,
now.t that the rail is laid, how near it is
TO the city. Think of the toilers there
who might find light aud comfort in
these healthful shades. If owned that
land. L would invite capital to open it
to the life that ought to occupy it.
would lay out streets. and portion of
lots for dwellings, each with its garden ;
and would call it the Eden Of Wild.
wood.
"And suppose you had the capital of
your own, my boy2"
THE Eden Of Wildwood should be a
verify"
shadow passed over the old mans
face, after which there came n shininv
| light. lie reached out aud took his
nephew's hand.
Paul, the capital is yours-the land
is yours"
Paul would have laughed if his uncle
bad not looked SO soIemuly upon him
while he spoke. As IL was he simply
exhibited bewilderment.
II heard you express an earnest wish
] for the land and secured II for You"
continued Betterman.
Uncle. this is n serions Jest"
ut Is no jest. Paul. In one word
Porter Lovett has returned
"LoYett--returned2"
YES and your fortune Is safe "
Paul Renford vas not sure that he
was in his waking senses. Ills uncle
was not the man to utter such language
jestingly.
cit is true, my boy. Lovett has re.