South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-01-27
DIsINIIERITED.
'Humphp said Mr.. Daniel Som,


his handsome teeth-a good humor.
ed, joyous laugh-in no wise affected
by his uncle's sharp ungraciousness,
for he had not been acquainted with
Mr.. Somerset twenty-five years for
nothing.
is it so very alarming, ;. Uncle Dan.
iei?' he asked promptly.
Il think SO. Alsrming-yes, be-
yond question. You are an extrava-
giant young dandy, with not an idea
to your NOODLE, beyond the cut of
your clothes, or the composition OF
button hole bouquet in February,
with no judgment greater than that
required to decide the flavor of the
soup at the club dinner. And you
want to get married.
Vivian was used to it, and he knew
the irascible old bachelors bark was
worse than his bite. He leaned back
in his chair and listened TO the petu.
liant TRADE.
That may be so, Uncle Daniel ::
all the same, l think BERTHE and | will
risk it.
'Bertie? BERTHE who?'
Miss Ethelbertha Gray, uncle
why didn't you say SO, thenp A
very beautiful, accomplished eirl-af-
ter you because she supposed you are
my heir
Uncle Dan =
Vivian Strengthened up in his chair,
sudden little fire in his blue eyes.
uncle Daniel that is no: true
4 lie, do L? Very we'll, SIR | am
used 10 such accusations from you
Go ahead aud make Il consummate
idiot OF yourself, if you want to-but
mark my word, you will rue the day
YOU ever married BERTHE Gray. /
know the ways OF this world have
been taught its treachery, its policy,
It's utter want Of human kindness be-
before you were out of dresses
But with all due respect for your
opinion, uncle, you don know Berthe
Gray rs | know her. Watt
MIR. Somerset jumped up from his
chair in a passion.
Don't speak to me about it. Mind,
not another word unless you wish to
be disnhcrited
Then Vivian looked angry and
rose from his chair.
1 would not hesitate moment be-
tween your money and the woman /
love. Do as you please; I shall
And after he was gone Mr.. Somer.
set walked uneasiIy up aud down his
elegant library, his forehead all puck.
cred up, Liz mouth contracted III a
savage point, his bright, little gray
eyes swapping and flashing.
The fool! Not to sec it is his
moncy-onIy and solely his property
that has won the girl. know her.
Pretty picture. great dark eyes and a
complexion like lilly leafa little red
mouth and yellow hair agirl brought
up to paint on velvet and bet at ra-
ccs, flirt through a summer AZ New
port and winter in the city. a pref
ty Vassar college finished girl, whose
sole end and aim of life is to make a
good match. And that young idiot
imagines she is in love with him
Twenty-four hours later, Just as vi
Wan was taking his dinner ut Del.
monico's. waiter handed him a note
from his uncle, in which that gent!c-
man, always very erratic in his habits,
briefly stated that he was off Oh a trip
TO the Yosemite valley, TO be gone
two or three months, and advised vi
Wan to consider what had been said
to him on certain subject.
lie folded up the note and went on
with lis stuffed egg plant and roast
turkey in undlscomfitcd composure.
Il wish he knew BERTHE better he
thought, with a glad thrill of fond
pride. But it was destined that Mr..
Daniel Somerset should never know
pretty BERTHE Gray any better-de.
creed by fate that he should never
see her again, for six weeks later. US
she sat III her elegant little boudoir.
sewing some foamiHg lace in the neck
and sleeves of black velvet evening
costume, Vivian made his appearance,
pale and grave, rs she had never
seen him before.
Il thought you were not coming till
evening, Vivian, she said in a sweet
way that told how welcome he was.
lie took a seat beside her little low
chair,and gently, authoritatively, took
the lace from her lap.
q have bad news for you, my dar-
ling, and | want TO break it to you at
once
BERTHE nestled her little dimpled
hand in bis confdingly, sympaibeti.
cally.
Tell me, Vivian, at once. Only
with you alive and well here beside
me, no news could be very dreadful.
besides ! know father and mother are
both safe. | saw them minute ago.
What is it dear2'
Vivian looked at her, n wonderful