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


il my young lady don't like IL. she NAV
Just lump n-thars all there 10 to NJ .,
Mary Fontaine had listened with i'm.
terest. -
'IIow much 10 the debt + said she.
We'll. Miss. what with interest and
compound interest, aud collecting char
ges, and my own expenses said the o.
dius OLD woman. counting up the fiuxess
OF her dirty kid gloves, it's niuh ak
hundred dollars-nve hundred And se-
venty-six dollars and eighty. seven
cents. -
Come Into the house with me-, said
Miss Fontaine. and will write a check
for the amount
You amt in carnestf' said tho old
woman, incredulously.
Yes, l am rr 3
When Mrs. jackson departed aha
carried in her. greasy pocke,.book a
check Tor i've huadred and seventy-six
dollars and eigh,y-seven cents, and
the little diamond cross lay in certain
rose leafscented Japanese box In Mary
Fontaine's dressing-case-
MIR. and Mrs. Harry Fonta,ne were
going out together to dinner party
that evening. The bride wore her we'd.
dlny-dress OF creamy white silk, her
wedding flowers woven into the flossv
gold OF her hair, and a simple TURQUOISE
brooch fastened the narrow rrilling of
rich lace at her throat, as she came smi.
ling down the stairs.
Fontaine looked critically ut her. and
missed one detail OF her toilet.
Where are your diamonds, Barbara
he asked.
The sudden scarlet mounted to her
h-ow.
IL preferred not to wear it tonight
she stammered, busyins herself with
her bouquet.
Go anil get it at once. dear Fon-
tame said hurriedly. Il want nv little
wife 10 look her very best and sweetest
tonight
But, Harry
Quick +! SAID he. with loving imperi-
business. I'll wait in the hall while
you are gone. 1t won't take you min
ute
Slowly, and with tagging footsteps.
Barbara obcycd but tue instant She
was within her own room. She threw
herself white silk dress and all. on tue
low, chlntz covered sofa, and burst into
sobs.
What shall dor she cried aloud in
the utter despair of her poor little soul.
oh, what shall do?'
a soit arm was pressed around her
neck; she felt herself lifted into q Sit
ting posture.
Here is your diamond cross, dear
whispered gentle voice. Let me
fasten it on for you
'Maryr
'ies, Mary /; your sister, dear
But where did you get it? How did
you know
Don't stop to talk now, said Mary.
Your husband is waiting. l will tell
You oil by and by
Mrs. Fohtaino wore the diamond cross
TO the dinner party and when she came
back, she went straight to Mary's room
and heard the whole story OF the little
ornament.
She flung herself on her knees at Mary
Fontaine's feet. and laid her cheek on
her lap, with burst OF very grateful
tears.
oh, Maryf she cried; you don't
know what deliverance you have
wrought me! believe would have
committed suicide rather than TO have
had Harry know how weak ard vain,
and foolish have been But. indeed,
1t has been q lesson to me- You have
saved me by your noble generosity and,
now, how can ever thank you for it2'
Mary Eontaine's deep, dark eyes
swan in tears. lnyolutarly she held
out her hands to Barbara, with an i'm
ploring gesture.
Love me- she murmured, in low
tones. This is all shall ever ask
Call ME sister let mo be truly sister
to your heart Oh, would rather be
loved than TO tread pavement OF sheet.
ed diamonds All these months you
have held aloof from me because am
pale and plain, and have no eloqucnce
to WOO peoples hearts. Oh, Barbara.
love mo, and shall be more than con-
tent!
And the clasp of Barbara's arms, the
touch OF her warm red lips against Ma
rvs cheek sealed tue covenant Of these
two hearts.
So, you have found out what a trump
our Polly is triumphantly exclaimed
Harry Fontaine, few weeks after
wards. Didn't I tell you she was worth
her weight iG goldr
And you told me the truth said
Barbara, giving her sister-in-law n hug
that nearly took away her entire breath.
But the two women kept their own
secret.
THINK FOR A MOMENT There are
seven millions Of soldiers in Europe who
are producers, and expensive consul
mers two or three millions Of army hor.
ses, AL eating and not working emper-