South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-11-09

StrauSc, lOr places ike that are Sencr-
ally hard to get.
We were all free in tho evenings, and
then such fun as we had, chatting and
laughing
The mirth was at its height one night
when there came a knock at the door.
Who could it be?
1 opened the door, and there stood
Mr.. Ashton, Pris's employer.
Good evening. ladies. May / como
IMP L was passing and heard such joy
GUS laughter, and. knowing Miss
Dwight lived here, could not resist the
temptation to drop in for minute y
Lou and L looked blanlsly at one an
other; but Pris- with herr usual dignity.
answered for us, and our visitor was
soon established in an easy.chair, con.
versing, as if he had known US all our
lives.
Our visitor
1t was one, of our rules that we were
never TO invite visitors, but this one had
invited himself
1t wasn't the last time, either, and al
ter while Pris brought the most ex-
quisite boquets home, which she placed
on the supper table,
Whom we questioned her she said she
found them on her desk.
But strange things happen. When
came home one evening Lou handed me
.. note, and in it were these words:
Miss. FLORENCE DWIGHT: Pardon me
FOR writing TO you. but L have vainly
tried TO meet you for some time. wish
to thank you for your kindness in TAX
ing that long walk for "a entire stran-
ger. 1t was only very lately discover.
el3we' we're relascd-indoed, cousins
and that you were one Of the three
young ladies' who lived with mysuncle
until he died.
3 That was the way lie began, and then
went en- to tell me that he had never
known Of Our existence until now, as in
his youth, after his arent's death, he
had gone 10 Australia AMI hail not com.
municatel with home since that time.
lie further asked If he might call and
thank me in person, and form tho &C
quaintance Of my sisters, and finally
signed himself Your cousin, Ralph
Maxwell"
Such sensation rs chat letter Great
ell. Lou looked rather grim rs she
said
Another yisitor?" and Pris, to yThom
went for consent, said:
"Of course, as lie is onr cousir, end
has asked 10 call. it void be rude to
say no."
He came.
| could not have imagined n nicer
L. r
hero froTa the very first. To be sure,
he must have been good deal over
thirty, and thirty to eighteen seems old.
Such brilliant taliior be was, too.
lie didn't come once only there was
hardly . week passed he did not call,
either 80 bring a book or some fruit,
and sometimes without any excuse at
all.
lily eyes began to open, and TO see
how foolish it was for three girls, the
oldest only twenty-five, to decide 10
liYe all by themselves all their lives.
AS | looked at Lou sitting ia low
chair, with the fre-glow making fairy
gold out of hair, and from her to the
graceful figure lazily leaning against
the mantel, and looking down upon her,
| thought il Lou wanted, and Pris would
consent, would propose a dissolution Of
our pledge.
1 knew Pris and could get along
very wei! together.
My romanc;ng was ruiely checked
by the lazy figure becoming suddenly
alert, as Cousin Ralph I'VE called him
so came to me and said, in his eager
boyish way
Miss Floss, / forget Madam Grisi
is tc sing tonight. Would you like 10
hear her?"
1 sprang up and danced around tie
room FOR very joy.
ooh, how | should like to go!"
well, Tlols. hurry then, and get
ready"
II was Lou who spoke, and ali az
once my pleasure vanished.
IL was Lou that should have been
asked, and notT.
hositated for n moment, and ne no
ticed il and said
81 tried to get four seats, but could
only secure these two, and knowing
your fondness for music thought /
would give you this chance"
Pris took my arm in her decided way.
Nov hurry, child, or you will be
late"
l have heard people say that they on.
joy things.
Now | don't, or at least didn't enjoy
that singing.
reveled in It; grew Intoxicated
with the heavenly sounds but pris-
ella would say was talking wildly.
aud 80 ! am.
And after the conccrt-iCs ali past
now: bat never IN all my emotional
life felt so strangely and so littlo in
clined TO make fun rs whom RALPH told
ZIG he loved me. and not as I hal
thought. Lou.
a food of rapture q great lcai strou-
ger than tho music rapture swept over
me, but left me strong enough To- repulsc
the arm which had drawn me close one
blissful moment.