South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-08-19

:, ouu WIS Ihqueu
at the indifference Of an unsophistica-
ted girl just fresh from the school
room. lie carelessly resolved that she
should be conquered, not dreaming
that he had any thing deeper at stake
'hah the amusement of the hour.
His frequent invitations to her to walk
and drive, his devotion to her on the
croquet ground, their to- O. a-tetes over
the chcss-board, we're soon noticed bv
tue other occupants of the house. who
OF course did not fail to make their
comments.
a picnic had been planned to the
rstis, about twelve miles from the vii
iage on the previous evening Rhoda
nAu wandered TO the end of one OF the
long halls. and seated herself in the win.
dow where the moon poured in a food
OF siivery light. bringing out in a shad
owy beauty the leaves of the grand old
maple trees, which were reflected on tho
wa,is' dancing in their own grotesque
,ash,ons as they were gently swayed by
the light breeze
i have found you at last said a
pleasant voice. Why did you run away
from us?'
i accidentally strayed'into this corn
or, replied Rhoda, and then could no,
resist it's beauty.
1t ~ charming?' said Mr.. Riyors,
seating himself 1 have come to ask
YOU Miss Rhoda, il may have the
pleasure OF your company In my car
rage to The picnic Tomorrow
Il had half mazda M mo ...:.l -. (, -
GO. said Rhods, for | promised moor
o'n MISS Denniss that would spend a
way win her before l leave, and now
tue summer is almost past
On IL Will never do for YOU TO give
up the picnic J explained her comDan-
lon' the last gayety Of the season.
tive the old lady some other day md
80 with me tomorrow. Come. Miss
Nuoua, you must say yes. l think |
VIII not take no for an answer
wen. was the reply, Il will think a..
bout it,
Just then the pair became conscious
OF presence. There was a rustic NJ
starched muslin, and thew caught the
glimpse of figure as it glidei past. a liz.
Tie III The distance, where another hall
How long had this presence been
there? AMI how much OF the converse.
tion heard? All Of it, or only the latter
part! These were the thoughts that
passed through Rhoda's mind, and she
glanced up and encountered the merry
twinkle in her companions ewes.
There is the foundation for quite q
romance; lover, deeply in earnes,
and en- undecided young lady talxins
h'm into consideration laughed Mr.
rivers, as they separated.
mat he. Duncan Rivers, the sooiIt
pet OF society, could be taken into con-
sideration. that any young lady would
not answer an immediate yes. TO q pro.
position of marriage emanating from
MIN, han never entered the gentieman's
head as ono of the possibilities there.
lore he could afford TO be amused in
contemplation OF the reports to which
tue conversation just related might
give rise.
he bright morning sun overturned
thoda's seli-sacrI6cing intentions. and
chartabiS resolved to bestow upon old
MISS Dennis the first rainy day. shonld
one occur before sho left BelleyiIle she
took he" scat in Dir. Rivers comforta-
Die little carriage. She was beginning
to recover from the shyness which she
had always felt towards her compapion
IN consequence of the awk ward mistake
she had made when she first met him.
and now the drive through q lovely
country. surrounded by the most en-
chanting scenery, had an exhilerating
effect upon her spirits, and her com,an.
ION was charmed with the wit and fresh.
ness OF her remarks and wished that
The tete-a.tete might last ell day. IL
came to an end ali to soon. and tho on.
tire party was established in the woods ;
some sitting IN groups, some in twos.
some taking solitary walks, perhnps in
quest of genial company. Mr.. Rivers
had unconsciously fallen into a brown
study, from which he was rather rudely
awakened by one Of the party, who step.
ped up TO him, exclsiming:
4 was to be the first TO congratulate
you
For wh1tP' asked the gentleman.
somewhat startled by the aLruptness.
For being the lucky chap who has
secured the prettiest girl i'm the GONNA
n.y. was the reply. at least we sup
pose you have secured her. We we're
told that she was taking you into con
sideration; but as she drove with Won
to-day, so fancy that it is equivalent to
an acceptance
There was q malicious glance in the
eyes of the speaker, WHO had so rre-
quently been cclipsed by the gifted
young lawyer.
Save your congratulations until Won
receive your information from a more
reliable source than boarding house
gossip replied Mr. Rivers, as he turn
cd haughtily away.
'Confound that little school girlr he
mentally ejacula,ed. She FIRST takes
me for pick-pocket, and then places
me, TO oil appearance, ia the position Of
an humble sutton, waiting meekly for
my sentence.
just then peal Of laughter greeted