South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-01-05

bad man. lie had many noble and
good attributes of character. lie had
loved his little wife deeply, and
mourned sincerely when she died.
And he loved and was very proud
OF his two fair daughters, in spite of
worrying the very life out as she ex.
pressed it, of the youngest, who act
eel as housekeeper.
He was very handsome man, too.
in spite of his fifty years, aud very
popular, with his atfable, genial ways
in society, and among his fellow
lawyers.
On the very evening of the day our
story begins, came long letter from
Mrs. Harcourt to Kittie, In which she
told her that she had received an of.
ter OF marriage from her father and
although she liked and respected him
more than any man she had seen
since her widow.hood, she would in
no wise accept, unless she were sure
such an event would be welcome to
his daughters. And that night an o.
qually lengthy answer was written, in
which dear Belle was assured that
she would be most warmly welcomed
by the sisters, and taken at once TO
their hearts.
Two months later, the house was light
ed from garnet to basement, to re
ceive the new wife, who was dark,
stately brunette of hardly thirty years /,
with brilliant black eyes that looked
pleasantly 1T the world, but showed
nevertheless, down in their depths,
more firmness of character than was
shown elsewhere in the face. unless it
was III the decided little chin. Aud
Judge Harlan, as he had now become,
looked rs proud and happy as the pos.
SCISSOR O! such wife aud of two such
daughters as fitted through the pleas
ant parlors, here, there, and every.
where, May with her sweet, pale face
and earnest blue eyes, and Kitty with
her saucy. plqnant face, michieveous
brown eyes, and ringing laugh. 1t
was a pleasant family scene, thought
the guests, aud who was TO know how
much planning and plotting and vex-
alton of soul these girls had under-
gone, Ia obtain their pretty costumes,
and even the refreshments set before
the guests? Not the bride certainly.
But ono month later occurred the
following conversation, which showed
that her eyes were opened.
Girls she said, entering their room
with an annoyed expression on her
usually bright face, is it really true
that your father, with his fortune, has
never made you an allowance for
dress and one for housekeeping? 1t is
not possible that You have to 90 to
him for every article you need2'
It is just that way, mamma Belle,
said Kittie, winding her arm about
her and drawing her to a seat on the
sofa. Aud / am awfully glad You
have found it out
why, it is perfectly ridiculous, ;
! said Mrs. Harlan, for q man TO be
concerned about butter and eggs and
shoe-strings and hairpins, and I'm
going TO make change
bat how will you do it?' said Kit.
tie. 'lIe has always done Just that
way, and | am afraid 'Ephraim is
joined to his idols
But | won't have it that way and
the black eyes flashed you know
something about my former trials,
i{ittie. / have said | would never be
worried that way again, and | won't.
| shall make q bold demand in the
morning for an allowance for Won for
dress, and one for myself for house,
keeping, andjfit is not granted then |
shall try strategy. So look out, and
with little defiant nod she was
gone.
The next morning, Mrs Harlan, in
her neat morning wrapper, beamed
brightly at the Judge from the head
of the table, aud there being no ser.
wants present, said pleasantly
what allowance have you usually
made Tor housekeeping expenses,
Judge Harlan? Kittie abdicates for
me this morning, and | wish to start
just right
Ahem !! coughed the Judge Il
have never made an allowance. my
dear. / always like TO know where
the money goes. When you ne ed
anything just come to me-
Much to the girls surprise their
step-inothor only laughed pleasantly,
and replied
Oh, if you like to be bothered that
way it's all right. supposed it would
be pleasanter for you to leave such
trivial matters to US women
But an hour later the girIs were en-
lightened, and Judging from the peals
OF laughter that came from their room
something very funny was under dis,
cussion. That afternoon, court being
IN session. @ number Of lawyers had
sought the Judge in his library. and
in the midst Of the calculation OF some
abstru5e point he was interrupted by
klttie, who bowed gracefully to the
lawyers, and laid her hand on her IA