South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-05-19
COLOR BLIND.

ineie was an indignant look on Tom
Nelson's strong snnburnt face, and
an indignant ring in his deep voice.
Yes answered Rene, that's Just
what it amounts 20. They mean to
make me marry the Professor, as I'm
not inclined To doit willingly
But you don't mean 10 do it?' said
Tom, savagely.
No, Tom, / will never marry him.
said the girl, impetuously. why,
Tom, haven't lbeen promised 10 you
since we were babies?'
Yes, Rene and your parents SEEM
ed pleased enough with me until he
came, said Tom, bitterly.
Never mind, dear old Tom an
swered Rene, as she put up her hand
and caresscd his cheek. i am pleas
ed with you, and always shall be-
Isn't that enough?'
Quite enough, little one said Tom,
in an altered tone. L think | could
get along If everybody else dislilled
me, If you were pleased with me-
Just then voice in the direction
of the house-Rene and Tom were in
the garden-called:
'Rene, Rene =
Yes, mother
You must come right in sail Mrs.
Alexander. The dew is falling and
vii! take all the stiffness out Of your
muslin. And your father says Prof.
! Appleton is coming tonight. / want
Jon TO be ready to receive him.
Rene gave an impatient stamp OF
her little foot, and Tom growled:
'ConfOund the Professor =
II moment later he had kissed Rene
and been kissed by her, and WAS strid-
ing away, while Rene turned AMI
wal.lcl with reluctant feet toward the
house.
~ good looAiu' lnI AMI honest a,
Tie day Ia long, was the h0mely praise
his ncighhors gave Tom Nelson. il
DioScEeSe had lived in Toms day and
neiShholhood ne would not have been
Obliged to hunt long for an honest
man. AS Rene had said, she had
been promised TO Tom since both
were babics. Words OF love for each
other were among their first utteranccs
and while Tom wore rOundabonts and
Rene very short -slcevcd aprons, they
registered n vow iomairy each other.
Unlike most engagements entered in.
10 IN childhood, the compact remain
cd unbroI;en. Tom had brains and
nerve enough to become almost any,
thing he might have desired, hut lac
loved every foot OF tie fine old farm
that WAS one day 10 be his, and every
room of the comfortable, house. like
horse where he Was born, aud he
chose to till the soil. Before the APP
pearancc i'll Linwold of Prof Apple.
ton. Eene's parents had smiled on
Tom and encouraged his marx cd 1T.
te"tion TO their daughter. They
doubtless thought that young man
who was to become sole owner of ten
thousand dollar farm, well stocked.
would not be Il bad son in law for .
not over successful doctor. But u.
bout Il year before my story opens.
Prof. Appleton had cone 10 teach
Greek and Latin in s. College.
Rene met the irofessor--a tall, gaunt,
saIIow-iaccd, baldhcaded man of forty
who was always scrupulously dressed
~ the finest Of broadcloth and most
immaculate of liuen-at the house OF
a mutual friend in the village, and
the learned gentleman proceeded at
once 10 fall III love with her. lie
managed 10 become acquainted with
Dr. Alexander, AID received an invi-
tation, which lie was not slow TO &C
cept. to visit AZ Lis house. Since that
day when the visit was made, Rene
had been really persecutcd by Prof.
/ Appleton attentions. She did not
like Tie mnn. lie bored her exceed
lngly with bis dry talk about things
she did not understand, or sentimeu.
ta! speeches about things she did
She constantly refused 10 ride or walk
with aud talked or listened TO him
as little as was compatible with the
simplest politeness.
'She is prudent girl, said the Pro.
/ fcssor TO himself. She does not care
to have much to say to gentleman
TO whom she is not engaged. / will
speas 60 her father
lie spoke 70 her father, and gained
tie Doctors fu!l and hearty consent.
( Tom Nelson, seeing how well pleased
Reue's parents had been with BIN.
bad never thought it necessary 10 ask
formally for her hand. Doctor Al.
cXander informed his daughter that
Professor Appleton had asked perruis.
alor OF bin 10 address her. and then
and there Rene vehemently declared
she would never receive the Professor
rs lover, and surely never become
his wife.
Girl, you are mad said the doctor.
angriIy Prof Appleton is WORTH
have taken pains TO learu-ffty thou.
sand dollars aud flo Iopot OF io.,;,,,,