South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-20
Homney, Hampshire County West Va, May 90, 1881.

to you one word, and ask you q ques.
ton
Edna wished to speak, but she could
not utter word.
The count went on:
Il would must tell you briefly,
but truly, that ! love YOU, and ask if
you can-if you do-love me in re.
turn
Edna was SO agitated she could
scarcely support. The count
perceiving this hastily threw his arm
around her as if to support her; thon
as quickly withdrew it, and rather
embarrassed, offered his arm. Edna
struggled for calmness, but as she
pressed her hand TO her bosom. she
felt there Henry's last letter and grew
more and more undecided. After a
violent mental conflict, she said:
'Yon will think it very strange. but
lsoannot answer your question | feel
that do not know my heart; cam
not decide what / ought to do
She paused, trembling nervously.
DO not be agitated,' said the count,
tenderly, much as l suffer, while my
fate is undecided, you shall. not be
hurried in making your decision.-
Take what time you wish to unders
stand your own feelings. Permit me
to ask when / can know your deter
mination.'
Edna hastily named the next day !:
and, escaping from him, ran to her
own room TO endeavor to compose
herself before appearing among her
guests.
When she returned to the parlor
the count was not there. Inexpressi.
bly, tiresomc sseemed the time. until
the company departed. Edna passed
q sleepless night. When the count
was announced on the following day,
she went down to see him with a calm
and decided air; but when he came
forward to meet her, with his fine
eyes full of love and anxiety, she felt
her heart sink, and hersaidsqulckly,
In order not to give herself time to
rclent:
1T gives me moro pain than I can
express, to feel that I am disappoint-
ing so noble heart as yours; but con-
less to YOU and hope you will par
don me for not knowing my own
heart sooncr-that another unknown
even to myself, had my love before
| knew you
The count grcwZpale. Edna went
on IN faltering voice:
Believe me, dear friend, when I
tell you | have never known any one
whom l regard SO highly rs yourself,
save one andfI am sure had never
known Henry Lorraine, should love
you
Henry. Loranep, cried the ,count
Joyfully. 'Ahl Edna, dear Edna.
you are then my own forever And
he clasped her in his arms
Dear Henry said Edna, 'after she
had recovered from her amazement,
how blind | was not to have known
you sooner, though you have so great
ly changed. But tell me why all this
disguise and mystery
1t was the great change that had
taken place IN my appearance said
Henry, that induced me to play this
masquerade. remembered your old
wish for hero-lovor, and dctermin-
ed to see if could not win you in
that guise. You see L have now most
OF the desired requisites-the tall figure.
the bushy beard, and the Waiting and
singing capabilities. But, Edna, can
you find it in your heart to give up
your Spanish Count for plain Henry.
your old lover? And, dearest, YOU
have lost your bet, for have YOU not
told me to my face that you love me?'
Not before you told me so Count.
though you were,' retorted the blush
ing Edna.
But 1 clam my wedding ring not
outstanding
and mine,' said Edna quickly
She was going to add, for | shall
marry my ideal : but she stopped and
blushed.
Matters were arranged between the
lovers, and, friends consenting, they
were in due time married, as all wor.
thy and faithful lovers deserve TO be.
and thus was won wife and n pair
of wedding rings.