South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-06-17

l y.
Blessington's night. You have de-
clined that invitation?'
The first fear she had ever felt of
Ernest crept into her heart ut Il new
stern look she saw III his eyes, and it
drew her first falsehood TO him from
her lips.
Yes she answered.
lie stopped and kissed her more
tenderly.
III make it up 10 you, darling
Believe me, did not ask it without
good cause
She stood quite still after he had
, lett her. She was ATTEMPTED yet to
obey him; but--pshaw what non.
sense ii was
SO, ut Z O'clock, the carriage stood
at her door, and, IN bewitchng din
ner dress, she was driven To the house
her husband had forbidden her to
enter.
But the dinner dragged-uot but
that Mrs. Blessington's chief had done
himself infinite credit, or that her
guests failed in their part. The trou-
bic lay only with Mrs. Redgrave's
self. In vain she strove to rally
compliments palled OH her the lights
tired her. One thought weighed on
her heart and brain:
Suppose Ernest should be seriously
displeased ? Well, what if he were.
Mrs. Blessington had told her how
she Lad managed her husbands first
displeasure.
Never y:eldr she advised. 'Nev-
err show that you're sorry, and youil
soon learn not to feel sorry
So when, at 10 o'clock. she babe
her hostess good-night, she deternlin-
Ell not to slow that she felt any re-
greet.
a light in the library told her tina.
her husband was ut home. She hes
itated an instant at tie door, then
went boldly in.
Ernest stood with his back to the
ire, his eyes fixed upon Der, but not
her Ernest. The sternness had gone
from his eyes, but 10 smiie Was on his
lips. Over all his face was an express
ION OF whitening contempt.
'Guu have enjoyed your evening.
madam, he said. 'You had Tor it the
relish OF your falsehood this morning
Oh, how wrong she had been She
WAS tempted to go t. him, and creep
into his arms, and beg him to forgive
her. but she remembered lIrs. Bless
ington's advice.
Yes, she said, 4 had charming
evening; but ! am quite sleepy now.
Good night. am going to bel
She turned TO leave the room but
ia one stride he was beside her, AMI
held her arm III grip of steel.
Coward, YOU hurt ne = She sud in
sudden anger.
He dropped her arm tbcn Us thougA
she had stung him.
'lou meant that word-you have
ceased to love me! Why ID you dis
obey iuc, Grace
because | do not choose to be .
slave 10 your capriee-bccaus have
had my own way al! ms LIE, and IN
tend To- have it.
and ! say you shall not have it.
Choose between Mrs. Bicssiugtou
ana me-betwocn your own will and
our future happiness-on this instant,
choose =
4 have made my choice, abide
| by 1t. Whom you are more rcas0na-
bic will listen further. Now, GOOD
night
lie made her no nuswcr. She lin
gercd Il moment at the head of the
stairs, hoping he would speak again,
but all was silent.
How hateful | was = sic said To
herself. AS if | would not give no
fifty Mrs Bessingtons for one Ernest.
Will give her up too, bIt Ill DO it
in my own way
Once she unlocked the door To- 20
down. But not would undo All
that her frmnes5 had accomplished
so the night passed, TO her n 5lecploss
one.
I In tie ealy morning y servant
brought her note. il was from her
husband, and ran thus:
at Q o'clock I start for India N
be absent six months. Daring that
uih" ny lawyer Will consult you iu
regard to our separation, aud make il
as easy for You ~ possible. | have
known for long time that ourta-tgs
were Numerically opposed-that all
my sweet hopes Of home were wreck
ed-but not that you could defy and
outrage the love which / 80 freely
gave yOu. DO not think me harsh I'M
leaving you without goodbye. but
thought it would be les painful to
! Us both
With tear blinded eyes sLo elanceI
/ up at the clock. II was just 5. She
had one hour in which to act. I. was
but the work OF ten minute. 10 order
! the carriage, make n hasiy toilet.
swallow cup OF Coffee, then issue
1 her commands ~ tho c,,1i,..,..,,