South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-07-18

over the snlaahfIlness of one who cared
nothin., for her She told me she had
written Mr. Ramsey q note begging him
TO cease pessecuting her with his a.ten.
eions, bat that he came next day "a
smiling and determined as ever.
Then she wrote again. She had ceas.
ed to rebel against fate. The marriage
had been arranged for the third week in
December. All she had stipulated was
that should come TO her and spend
tho last week before the wedding in her
fathers house.
L went. Though my poor girls face
lighted up with Joy a. seeing me. she
soon fell iato listless. Respondent way.
sadder to see than any tears or reproach.
es. Once l mentioned Philips name.-
She started. as though she had been
stung. 81 80
10 not speak Of him. she said, wild.
~ he does not love memo one does =
Then more calmly, For give me. auntie
dear. 1 am not strong, think AMI she
subsidized into her usual downcast state.
The evening before; the day SET Tor
tie wedding, . servant spseEed the room
where we we're sitting, and handed Elaine
a easket- As she slowly opened it,
even gave q cry Of surprise at the sight
OF the rare Jewels it was Dilkes Ram.
scy's wish his bride should be adorned
with. She pushed them YEARLY aside.
Strange that any ore should marry
for such things, was all she said.
The next morning "a. with my old
eyes blinded with tears. l had finished
fastening the white veil over the still
winter brow, l attempted To clasp the
necklace Of briliiants about her neck.
She pushed them aside with q fash of
her old spirit, and said, bitterly:
Don't, Auntie. For another halChour
at least. am nay own property
L sail no more, aud we descended TO
the parlors.
AS Judge Fosters eyes fell on his
daughter he sail sternly:
Where are the groom's jcweIs?'
Ordering them brought. ne casped
them himself about his daughter neck
ami arms. She submitted, listlessly.
We hal entered the churel. We had
taken our places before the altar. The
last strains Of the Wedding March hal
died upon our ears. The brilliant as
sembly was h1shed as The minister be-
gan TO speak.
'Dilkes, Ramscy's answer i VIII
sounded clear anil firm. raised my
eyes who was it that saw Iean;ng "a
gainst q pillar. his sombrc eyes filled
with a contemptuous scorn OF The woman
who was selling her soul before his very
eyes? Elaine raised her eyes to M All
tated face. Her glance followed mine.
Then she did what I think no woman
but brave as we'll as loving one could
do, The Congregation was still waiting
for her answer. AS she caught Philip
Rays glance II burning flush sllTused her
face, then died, and left her cheek as
pale rs marble. Her eyes lighted with
sudden resolution. Turning from the
altar, she passed the wondering group
OF bridesmaids, and, in the face OF that
gay crowd, went AMI stood before Phil.
ip Ray.
Philip she said. in low, suppressed
tone. why did you not come for me?'
'Disregarding the strangoness Of the
proceedings in the wild hope that had
sprung up within him, he answered, hur-
riedly:
Il did go to you; wrote to you
| went to your house every day for Il
week, but was refused adinittanCe. This
ls what you sen. me-
AS lie spoke he took from his breast
pocket u note worn with many read
ings.
There in the presence Of that won
ran thus:
III you have any pity for me, cease to
annoy mo with your presence. Do you
not see that can never love you, that
my heart is anothers?
ELAINE FosTKR.
There is some mistake she falterod /;
Il did not know you came. | sent this
note to Dilltes Ramsey
"A light flashed over his face. Ills
eyes shone with love and triumph
Come he said, tenderly you arc
OF age let us not risk another separa-
toni
lie took her hand in his, AMI togeth.
er they stopped before tho astouished
minister. Raising her hand with swift
gesture, the diamonds fell TO the floor.
There vas nothing theatrical ia this .
sue had been, TO outside appearances
singularly calm through the entire scene.
1 felt rs though they were choking me,
sue said to me afterwards.
i looked about for Judge Foster. lie
had left The chnrGh. Ere could rocOy.
er from The fright into which this offence
against all the conventionalities % life
bad thrown me, Philip Ray and Elaine
Foster were man and wife.
bust SO the minister was closing his
benediclion, in rushed, white and breath
less, a servant from Judge Fosters. We
followed the man quickly. Eyeu Djlkcs
Ramsey recovered enough from his cha.
grin to accompany US. As We entered
the door NO beheli, lying on The floor
dead, Elaine's father. lie had fallen
dead with heart disease, rs he reached
his Own door
Elaine and Philip never speak OF bis
treachery; he was her father. ant ho is
dead.
sOf all that remained Elaine rrrctrff