South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-03-26

By HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

So you like Il, Barbaraf' said the
bridegroom. smiling down into the blue
eyes. that shone like violet stars against
his breast.
fits little paradise Z the bride an
swered. enthusiastically.
And 80 il was-the pretty cottage.
house. with its miniature bay. windows,
its frescoed parlor, the little dining.room
with dadoes and freezes, according to
the most modern idea OF art, and the
chintz draped windows up stairs.
And everything is just as you would
have itT questioned Mr.. Fontaine.
Yes, except
And then Barbara stopped, short and
began, with little embarrassment, to
finger the buttons her husbands great
coat.
Except what, my darling? urged Fon.
talnc. tenderly.
Must your sister live with us alwaysp'
asked Barbara. with little pout.
Fontaine's brow clouded over.
She has no other home, Barbara
But suppose she might board some.
where
Don't you like her. BarbaraP'
NO, don't said Barbara, with q
shrug OF the shoulders. She is so cold
and silent and sullen. And she isn't a
bit pretty. l like people TO be very,
very pretty
You are an unreasonable little puss,'
said the bridegroom. laughing. Mary
is we'll enough. 1t is just her way to be
SILENT
But it isn't mine. And I shall be
sure 10 quarrel with her before tho we,a
Is out
'The quarreling will all be on your
own SIDE, said Fontaine. Mary never
quarrelcd with any one in her life.'
Il hate human clans, said Barbara.
'Ah, you'll get along sp'endidly,' said
Fontaine, glancing at his watch. And
now good -byel am late at business
already
AS he went out through the pretty lit.
tie octagonal ante-room, he saw Mary
Fontaine standing. like pale statue, be.
twscn the white muslin curtains, and
the unpleasant idea whether she could
have possibly overheard any part of
their recent conversation entered his
mind.
60 in and talk to Barbara, Molly
said he, cheerfully. She'll be little
lonesome without me just at first, and
will he glad OF your company
Miss Fontaine glided, like q silent
ghost, into the bright drawing-room,
where the tea-roses blossomcd and the
canaries sang, and bright sea-coal fire
glowed under the maroon. velvet dra-
peres of the mantle.
But with all her efforts to be sociable,
she found herself unable to talk. Sub
jcct after subject was taken up and drop.
ped. until Barbara dcsisted in despair.
sit there, like 4 statue Of silence
and grim one at that-if you like
said she to herself, as she took up q no.
vel and leaned back among the sofa
cushions. Il can stand it, IL you can
And a dead mutcness fell on them.
Mary Fon!aine's eye, faliir g on the
opposite mirror, took in the contrast
between the two, and pang thrilled
through her. Barbara was then like
human sunbeam, 80 bright. so vivacious,
so full OF mirt', and sweetness, with her
fossy masses OF golden hair, Wild rose
complexion and laughing blue eyes;
while she, pale and dark, with solemn
gray eyes, colorlcss complexion, and
lips that seemed stricken absolutely
dumb in the presence Of the bride, was
the type OF cloud !
1t is as she said. thought poor Mary.
Il am not pleasant object about
house don't wonder that she wants
me out Of it. But, oh. / did so hope that
she would have loved me little =
As the weeks went on, Mary grew
even colder and less demonstrative in
manner; Barbara more careless and in
different: while Harry Fontaine looked
obviously on.
The girls don't get on well together
said he TO himself, and I'm sure 1 don't
know why
But one chilly autumn evening, as
Mary Fontaine was strolling aimlcssly
through thJ woodland paths. just be-
yond the garden wall, picking up n
red lenf here and there, she met fat u,
yulgar-looking old woman, carrying a
black velvet bag, and dressed in the
very height Of the fashion, coming out
OF the cottage gate.
Are you one Of tho family?' said the
old woman, brusqueiy.
Mary looked at her in amazcment. q.
i am Miss Fontaine.' she said.
Then | think you ought 10 interfere,
said the old woman angrily.
i do not understand you, said Miss
Mary.
The old woman opened her black.
velvet bag.
Look here = said she, young Mrs.
FOntaine's diamonds
And, sure enough, she displayed a
little cross Of gold studded with very
sparkling stones, which Mary now knew
had been her bro'her's bridal gift to
pretty Barbara Stanley.
i am Mrs. Jackson SAID the vulgar
old woman, who bad a watering eye. a
red nose AMI husky voice. as If she
spoke from under n featherbed
Il nm in tho borroving and lapdino,