South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-03-08

IN sue dutuinn tnoonugnt: he ressl us
answer. and was content.
Janet went home, with the frs, love
kiss Of her pure.l life warm upon her
lips.
She was too happy 10 sleep. She sat
on tho steps, watching the moon sink
ing down toward the dim hills. and lis,
tening To the murmur of the pine trees,
long after father aud Margery were in
bed. a step on the gravel startled her.
She leaped to her feet with n suppress
ed cry. rX
Hush Janet, hush its me-Ralph.
oh, Ralph. you?
Thedntrudcr was pale haggari, and
wildeyed. and his garments threadbare.
lie was Janct's brother, Arbuthnots
only son; the sou who bad broken his
fathers heart, and male hiInsefrannffr
and outlaw. Iet,despitc his evils ways
Janets tender heart loved and piticl
him. She put her arms about his neck
and kissed his haggard face.
Poor Ralph, how i'll you look What
is the trouble now?
lie laughed hard sort of laugh.
The old trouble. I've had awful i'll
luck, Janet. The cards have gone
gainst me Of late, too. I'm done for.
| must get out OF the country before this
thing ends.
oh, Ralph! and you will not give up
cards? and want money?
That's it Janet, I'm q scoundrel to
come to you in my trouble couldn't
see any other way.
You shall have all I've got. Ralph,
You are good girl, Janet; you al
ways were. | Shan't forget you But
you won't tell the Governor that I'm in
another scrspe?
No Ralph, it would break poor papa
heart. Wait here and I'll get the mo.
ney.
lie sat down under the rose vines; a
man whose feet hai trod the downward
n forbidden word in his fathers house.
Janet brought the contents of the silver
bowl and put it in his hands.
This is every cent possess. Ralph.
1t wont do, want VI least twenty
dollars more.
She looked at him in dire distress.
i cant ask papa. Ralph, without tell
ing him you were here.
no, no you musnJ go to him. Can't
you get il somehow, Janet? You are al
ways so clever
Her troubled eyes frightened.
Can you come again2 On Friday I
shall get the money fo- the altar-cloths
am embroidering.
Yes. will como on Friday might
You are good Child and I'm q rascal
to take your earnings. Good night ia.
net
She chung to him, her Tears falling
fast.
ooh, Ralph! look up yonder at poor
mammals grave. Ralph, Ralph, won't
you do better?
III try. Janet; | will, 'pon my hon.
or he replied with emotion. Good -.
night.
Through the rest Of the week Janet
worked steadily Mt her altar-cloths si-
lent and thoughtful.
Il shan't get the pink corals or 90 to
the ball, papa. Please don't ask mo
why was all she said
And respecting her trouble. and per.
baps suspecting her secret, her father
asked no questions.
The night Of the ball came. a glor.
ious night. the sky like sapphire, a full
moon hanging over the blue mountains.
Janet had finished the altar cloth, and
had the money in her pocket. She
though. OF the pretty pink corals, and
though she was willing to give them up
for Ralph's sake, yo; Der girlish tears
fell like rain.
O., ,,,1or to ,.f,o- tI,,
twilight fell, and watched the prepare.
ton at Hardwickc Hall. Lights began
to fash out amid the shrubbcry like fire
flies. and the roll Of car iage wheels and
the murmur Of voices grew incessant.
Just "a the drst sounds OF the brass
band shook the summer air Mr. Hard.
wicke appeared, with a bunch Of hot.
house flowers in his hand.
i told you | should come early, and
Lillian says you must wear some OF
these flowers in your hair : then hc stop.
ped. bcwildered and stammered But,
Janet, you are not dressed r
No. Mr.. Ilardwic<e, am not going
Not going Why not3'
There are reasons which have caused
me TO change my mind. ! am sorry.
but
She stopped short, unable TO keep her
voice steady. The young mans color
blazed up.
Bat you gave me your word that you
would CO. he cried Indignantly and
you know had set my heart on it,
Il cannot help it, she faltered
AT the last moment you change your
mind 4 disappOint me- he went on, angry
that she did not explain i would not
have believed it. There is some mys,
terry here
She made no answer. His anger in
creased.
Ifyou change so easily in one thing,
you will in another, he continued. ex-
citedly. i don't feel safe in trusting
you
Withdraw your trust, then. Mr.
Hardwicke'
Tho ouict avsvVar ont him lilo a L,o,,