South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-01-04

the this red rose write me no word nos
line, simply send me this flower
4 PROMISE he said but as my lovs
will never grow less. you have seen this
rcd rose for the last time
lie drew her TO him. and kissed her.
Good bye. nv darling he said, and
then he LETT her standing in the
falling shadows OF the twilight.
what will you wear tonight. Miss
Leigh?'
The graceful woman standing Mt the
window turned slowly around. aud ans
wered, in q tone of intense sweetness:
Il will wear black silk and lace, Meta,
with red roses in my breast and hair
But your white silk and pearls?'
Il prefer black this evening. Meta
the lady answered. gently, then turned
around to the window again.
After some time she went over TO- an
inlail desk. and drew out letter. writ
ten in clear bold hand, and signed
Wilson Audrey.
1t was passionate declaration Of love
to the beautiful woman holding it in
her hand.
She read it slowly over, then from he.
side it she lifted an envelope, directed
in the same dashing hand, to Miss Eu.
nice Dalton
Opening the envelope. she looked
ut what she had looked n hundred
times before, a faded red, June
rose, withcred and scentless; and
now you know that Miss Leigh. whose
wondrous voice had made her famous.
whose rare beauty and grace had turned
mems heads wherever she went was Eu-
nice Dalton, who had hidden her lovers
farewell at the rustic gate eight years
before.
The change in her life had come so
Suddenly; an eccentric old lady had
heard her sing. and charmed by the
depth and power rs we'll as the sweetness
OF her voice, had taken her under the
best masters, and two years after had
the satisfaction OF knowing that her fair
young protege was fated to be one Of the
greatest singers in the world.
But before all this had come the falsi.
ty Of her lover and the anguish that near
~ killed her, and then the ncwsithat the
old folks ut the farm were dead, and
that Guy had sold out and gone abroad ;
then her new life began, and the people
we're thrilled by her beautiful voice, and
men infatuated with her beautiful face
and when she returned TO her own land.
from queening il abroad, foremost a
mong her lovers was Wilson Audrey,
who never dreamed Of her identity.
There was to be reception that eve
ming. given in honor other, and the creme
Re Ia creme Of society would be there,
and Wilson Audrey would be among
them, waiting TO receive his answer from
the woman lie loved.
There we're many fair women present.
but Miss Leigh reiened queen. by right
of her royal beauty, and Wilson Au-
,irey watched her with thrilling pull
ses, an | wondered how he ever bslicv.
ed he loyei woman before.
lie was talking to a grave, handsome
man, whose earnest eyes had wandered
more than once to Miss Leigh's proud,
] pale face.
They were standing in the shadow OF
bay wndov, and neither Of them no
ticed that slender, stately woman, in
sweeping robes Of silk and lace, was
leaning against q 1owerwreathed column
q little distance from them.
1t is good TO see you again Winters
after all these years. Wilson said, and
you have come back heart whole as
WELL
Guy Winters face grew grave.
Il came as | went, Audrey. lie said
slowly. Surely you remember loved
! Eunice Dalton
/ Wilson Audrey laughed lightly.
/ 'Ah. yes; sure enough? we'll. Ennice
was a pretty little thing -she was -
'Eunice Dalton was The one woman
ON earth to me- Guy interrupted, stern.
| ~. Had | known she was not your
| wife,
Not my wife. No thank goodness
| Winters don't mind telling you, but
/ have met at last the one woman before
whom my very soul bows down. If
wealth and energy can accomplish il.
| will marry Miss Leigh the beautiful
pyi8La DONNA
Il do not understand Guy said
how once caring for Eunice, you can
love another; as for me, this, is more
precious than the love OF tho fairest wo
man on EARTH and ho drew little san.
dial WOO box from his pocket. and open.
ing IT, displayed o faded, rcd June rose
Wilson Audrev's face flushed.
You are romantic, Winters. he said,
perhaps were you 10 search for your lost
love you might find her.
God would he kinder to me thar
dare hope but If should find my darl.
ing
A sweet low voice interrupted him.
and Miss Leigh stood before him. her
eyes glowing, her lips apart, the red Foses
clustering Mt her breast.
Guy Guy! am here. God has
taken care Of me for you-far better
care than deserved.
And then, sheltered by The siIken
curtains. he took her In his arms, and
pressing passionate kisses on her low.