South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-07-04

piled, thinking how iady-like and gentle
.hs looked, and wondering If she had
long been n widow.
Yes. sir; but 1 would be very careful
about the reference.
Have you ever kept boarders herorea'
No, sir. Since my. husband died, six
years ago (he failed in business and
brought on severe sickness by mental
anxiety my daughter and myself have
been sowing. but We have both been i'm
poor health all winter, and I wish to try
some way Of getting living that is less
conhning. l have kept house for seve-
raj years, but have not the capital for
furnishing, so we want TO secure a house
like this one, il possible
Quite unconscious Of the reason. Ru.
pert Smithson was finding it very pleas
antto talk to this gentle littlewidou about
her plans. aud as Abe spok e, was won
dering if IL would not make an agreea-
BILE variety in his lonely life n let her
experiment in keeping a boarding house
upon the premises. Seeing his he sta.
tion, she said very earnestly:
L think you will be satisfied with nv
reference, sir. have lived in one
house. and have had work from one firm
lot SIX years and, if you require it can
obtain letters from my husbands friends
in Cincinnati
CINCINNATI
He was quite we'll k nown therc.-Per-
haps you know Of him. Joha Murray, -
street.
Rupert Smithson looked scarchingly
into the pale. sal face that was so plead.
insly raised TO his gaze. Where were
the rosy cheeks. the dancing eyes. the
laughing lips that he had pictured as he.
longing to John Murray's wife2 Know
ing Row the truth, he recognized the face
before him, the youth all gone. fresh.
ness all gone, and the expression
sanctitied by sorrow and suffering.
You haye childrcn?' he said, after a
long silence.
Only one living-a daughter seven
teen years old. / have buried all tho
OILERS
Il will let YOU have the hous, on nc
condition. he said, his lips trembling a
little rs he spoke.
She did not answer. In the softened
eyes looking into her own, in the voice
suddenly modulated 10 tender sweet.
ness, some memory was awakened, and
she only listened. with bated breath and
diiating eyes.
'on one condition, Katie he said =.
that you como To it as nv wife m | ia
mistress. | have waited for you twenty
years Katie
1t was hard TO believe. even then
though the little widow let him carcss
her, and sobbed upon his breast. This
grav-haircd, middle aged man was so
unlike the Rupert she had believed false !
But after the whole part was discussed.
1t was hard to believe that there might
be years Of happiness still in store for
them.
Rupert Smithson did not put in sn up
pearancc, nj his counting house all dav.
AMI Rupert the Second went home to
his dinner in rather an uneasy frame Of
mind regarding the April fool trick of
his.
Il must run over and see il I have Of.
Tended beyond all hope of pardon he
said. az he rose from the table
But n gruT voice behind him arrested
his steps.
so, so YOU have advertised my house
TO ie'.' said his uncle, but, spite OF his
efforts, he failed to look very angry.
How many oil mai'ls.and widows ap.
piled? inquired the daring young scape.
grace.
Il don't know. After the first appIi.
cation Mrs. Jones told the others The
house was taken
'TakenY
Yes. have let itupon q lie lease to-
here he opened the door-'My wife
Very shy, and blushng, my wife
looked in her slate.colcred dress and
bonnet. as her three hours hu shand led
her in; but with n moments scrutiny
Mrs. Kimberly cried.
1t is Kate Carroll !
Kate Smithson = said the bridegroom
with immense dignity. and my daughter
Winfield
There wa new sensation as n pref
ty blonde answered to his call, but warm.
or welcome was never given to his rel.
atives, and TO this day uncle Rupert will
not acknowledge that he got the worst
Of the joke when his nephew played him
an April fool trick by ADVERTISING his
hOuse 10 let