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

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you next week?'
BAH The idea OF getting to my age
to be fooled by boy like your
Then you defy met
or course do
I'll do il, Keep your eyes open.'
'Forewarned is forearmed. But come,
stop chatting. / want my music
Pretty. saucy, mirth-loving Flora with
her dancing black eyes and brilliant
smile. did not look like very promi-
nent interpreter OF dreamy, law. mus
&c; but one her hsnds touched the keys
OF the grand piano forte. the girls whole
nature seemed to merge into the sounds
she created. Merry music made dane
ing elvcs OF her fingers as they dew over
the notes; dreamy music drew a mesh
Of hushed beauty over her face, and her
great black eyes would dilate & seem 10
see fM away, as the room filled with her
sweet low csdences. She would look
Ike an inspired Joan Of Arc when grand
chords rolled out under her hands i'm
majestic measures, and sacred music
transformed her into something sanity.
Ooce the rosewood was closed, st. Co.
celia became pretty. winning Flora Kim
berly again.
There were few influences that could
soften the outer crust or manner Of Ru-
pert Smithson, hut he would hide his
face away when Flora played, trying to
hide the tears that started, or the smiles
that lowered on his lips. as the music
pierced down. down into the warm, low
ing heart he had tried to conceal with
cynical words and looks.
20 xvbap tho final ,hDrlS Of ,ho MA
turne melted softly into silence the old.
bachelor stole away and left the house
bidding no one farewell. They were
accustomed TO his singular ways and no
ono followed him; but Mrs. Kimberly
sighed as she said:
Rupert gets older and crusiier every
day.
But he is so good Flora said, lcav-
ing her piano stool with a whirl that kept
it spinning around very giddily.
Why don't he get married?' said Ru-
pert. It's a downright shame to keep
that splendid house shut up year. after
year. except just tho few rooms Uncle
Rupert and Mrs. Jones occupy
Il mean to ask him. Flora exclaimed
impulsively.
No, no. said Mrs. Kimberly, hastily,
never speak of that to your uncle, Flo
IA, never.
Il never told you before, but your un.
Gle was engaged years ago, and there
was some trouble. | never understood
about it exactly, for I was married and
eft Wilton the same year that Rupert
came to New York. But this do know
the lady, after waiting three or four
years. married, and Rupert has never
been the same man since. | am very
sure he was very much attached to her,
and that you would wound him. Flora,
if you jested about marriage
But don't mean to Jest Mt all. |
think he would be ever so much happier
if he had some one To love, and some
one to love him in return. Ii must he
terribly lonesome in that large house
with no companion bat Mrs. Jones. who
is one hundred years old, am GER
tain.
lie ought to marry said Rupert; she
always calls him 'dearie.'
Don't children, jest about it any more
said the mother, AMI be sure you me-
yer mention the subject to your uncle
The (irst OF April was clear, rather
cold day. the air bright and rather snap.
ping. and the sky all treacherous smiles.
as became the coquettish month OF sun.
shine and showers.
Uncle Rupert. finishing his lonely
break fast .soliloquized to himself. L must
DO on the lookout to-day for Ruper.'s
promised trick. He won't find it so
easy az Inc imagines TO fool his old uncle.
Who's therep' the last two words in
answer to a somewhat timid rap at the
door.
1t was certainly not easy TO sstonish
Rupert Smithson, but his eyes opeued
with n most unmistakabIe expression Of
amszement as the door opened To al NIT
q tall, slender figure in deep mourning.
and low very sweet voice asked:
rs the landlord in?'
'The-the-what2
Il called about tho house, sir
What houseP Take "A seat suddenly
recalling his politeness.
rs this No. 40 W-place?'
Certainly it is
4 have beon looking out for some
time for furnished house suitable for
boarders, sir, aud il find this one suits
me, and the rent il not too high
'But,'-intorrupted the astonshed
bachelor.
oh. hope IL is not already taken
The advertisement said 60 call between
eight and nine, and it struck eight as
stood upon the door step
oh. the advertisement SO. go, Mas
ter Rupert. this is your doing is IL? Will
You let me see the advertisement, Ma
damp
You have The paper in your hand sir
she said timidly. did not cut il out.
oh. you saw IL in the papery
He turned 10 the list Of houses to let
and there sure enough il was:
TO let, furnished. tbree-story, brown
stone front. basement, and rather foil
description Of the advantages Of the