South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-12-07
MIR. Mayberry rubbed his hands to.
gether briskly.

hao IL In my power to make them for.
get their poverty for only one little hour.
Did you see little Jimmy Hurd's eye
glisten when Ernest gave him the sec.
ond triangle ofpie? Bless the young
sfers eearts. they won't want anything
to eat 10; a week.
Il was speaking OF the yonng woman
who'-Mrs. Mayberry was icily severe,
but her husband cut it short.
so you were-pretty little thing ms
ever 1 saw. A ladylike. graceful little
girl. with beautiful eyes enough TO ex>
cuse the boy for admiring her.
The boy You seem to have forgotten
your son is twenty-thre cold enough
to fall in love with and marry even n
poor, unknown girl. you were quixotic
enough TO invite TO your table,
Twenty three? So he is. And il he
wants to marry beggar and she is
good virtuous girl. why not?'
A little gasp of horror and dismay
was the only answer OF which Mrs. May.
berry was capable.
'Grandpa!'
Winnie's voice was so low that Mr..
Wilmington only just heard it, and when
he looked up he saw the girls crimson
cheeks and her lovely dropping face.
Yes. Winnie. you want to tell me
something?'
She went up behind him, and leaned
her hot cheek carelessly against his her
sweet, low voice whispering her an
swer:
Grandpa. want to tell you some.
thing. MIR. May we-Ernest has
asked-he-wants me to-oh, grandpa
can't you tell me what it is?'
lie felt her cheek grow hotter against
his.
He reached up his hand and caressed
the other one.
Yes, | can tell, dear. Ernest has
shown his uncommon good sense by
wanting you for his wife. So that is
what comes of that dinner. eh, VIM
nie?'
And may tell him you are willing,
perfectly willing, grandpa2 Because /
do love him, you know
And you are sure it isn't his money
you are after. eh?''
She did not take umbrage at the sharp
question.
Il am at least sure it isn't my money
he is after, grandpa she returned laugh
ing and patting his cheek.
Yes, you are at least sure Of that !;
there, hear the young man coming
himself Shall go, WINNER
| IL was the young man himself Ern-
est Mayberry, with 4 shadow of deep
trouble on his face as he came up to
Winnie and took her hand, then turn
ing TO the old gentleman.
/ Until an hour ago l tho't this would
be the proudest, happiest hour of my
! life, sir, for should have asked you to
give me Winnie for nv wife. Instead |
must be content to tell you how dear
! ly love her, land how patiently and hard
| will work for aer to give her the home
she deserves cause, Mr.. Wilmington
this morning the house of Mayberry &
Thurston failed, and both families are
/ bcggarsr
His handsome face was pale, but his
eyes were bright with determination
and braveness nothing could daunt.
Winnie smiled upon him, her own
checks paling.
Never mind, Ernest, on my account
| can wait, too,
Old MIR. Wilmington's eyes were al
most shut beneath the heavy, frowning
forehead, and a quizzical look was on
his shrewd old face as he listened.
/ Gone up. ell Well, that's too bad
You stay here and tell Winnie am just
as willing she shall be your wife when
you want her, as if nothing had hap
pcned, because believe you can earn
bread and butter for both Of you and nv
| Winnie is cOntented girl. I'll hobble
up to the Office and see your father; he
and l were boys together; a word oil
sympathy won't come smiss from me
And off he strobe, leaving the lovers
\ alone, getting over the distance in n
remarkable time and presenting his
+ wrinkled, weathor-bea old face in
| Mayberry & Fhnrston's private VfTice,
where Mr.. Mayberry sat alone, with ri.
/ gid face and keen, troubled eyes. that.
nevertheless, lighted at the sight of his
old friend.
1 I'm glad to see you. Wilmington.
Sit down. The sight Of n man who
has not come TO reproach me is com
\ fort
But Mr.. Wilmington did not sit
/ down.
lie crossed the room TO the table at
which MIR. Mayberry sat among help.
less array Of papers.
There is no use wasting words.
Maybcrry, ut time like this
Did you know your son has asked my
Winnie TO marry him =
Mr.. Mayberry's face lighted a second
then the gloom returned.
Ifmy son had a fortune az his COM
mand. rs ] thought he hal yesterday
nj this time, | would say. God speed
you In your wooing Of Winnie Whining
ton. As 10 Is, for the girls sake.
disapproye.'
so you haven't n pound over and
above, ella. MayberryY
There will be nothing-less than moth.