South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-11-02
mother and l Will contrive 10 make
room for you somewhere

uOtuer anu 1 Will SOntrlSe 20 make
room for you somewhe
Aud the pale boardcr slept that
night in little rose scented room,
with strip of bright rag carpet on
the floor, hand.painted china vases on
the wooden mantel, and cheap mus
lin curtains ut the window, after
supper of black caps and milk, deli
cious homemade bread, fresh honey
and johnny cake.
Two dollars IL week for such faro
as this, to say nothing of my cunning
little corner roomn said MIR. Brown
to himself. Il never boarded SO
cheaply before in all my life.'
AT the end Of a week he was more
than delighted with his summer home.
Mrs. Troop was the kindest aud most
motherly Of hostcsses; Barbara was
the impersonation of sweet and graci.
Gus refinement. The mountain was
full of purple glens, merry, voiced
cascades, winding footpaths & berezy
heights. Mr.. Browne enjoyed him
self intensely. He believed that no
had come to the right place
Don't you think said Barbara to
her mother, that he's very strong tor
q consumptive?'
IT'S that herb tea, and the diet of
honey and new milk that is building
him up, said Mrs. Troop. triumphant
iy. i never knew it fail yet in lung
diseases But he's very pleasant,
Barby, isn't hes'
Very! said Barbara earnestly.
AIR Browne had not been month
at the little cottage on tho mountain,
when, overtukcn by aeudden shower,
he took refuge in Ell old, unused barn,
not far away from the house, where a
thickct ofblossoming elderbcrries con
cealed the rude stone basement, ana a
veteran yellow pine tree flung its
banner OF black. 81 cen shade over the
NOISY shingles OF the roof. Unused,
except TO stow sweet hay in-and in
one corner a little chamber had been
finished of, long ago, with brick
chimney and a tiny-paned lattice. The
door was half open, and Mr.. Browne
could discern u little cot.bed. draped
with white; u dimity-covered toilet
stand, whose coarse, cheap bowl aud
pitcher were enriched with purple and
crimson autumn leaves in hand paint.
ing, and little needlework rug which
lay ut the foot OF the bed.
ALI said Mr. Browne, to that best
Of conlidents. himself, l comprehend
1t all now! | have displaced Mademoi
selle Barbara from the little corner
room in the cottage. Upon my word
feel like Il usnrper! But how good
they are, this mother aud daughter
whose only income is derived from
this precarious occupation of taking
summer boarders How uuseliish
how utterly self.saciiiicing! There
are good Samaritans yet left in the
world, thank heavenp
When September came, with its
yellow leaves and It's clusters oe vivid
blue asters on the edges Of the woods,
Mr. Browne prepared to return to the
city.
You are sure you are strong enough
TO resume work. said Mrs Troop,
anXiously.
Mother said Barbara, 'hc isn't al
all like ali invalid. Either old Mr..
Fanshawe was mistaken, or else Mr.
Browne has made an almost miracu-
Ious recovery
Just at THIS instant Jane came to
tell Mrs. Troop that neighbor Jackson
was at the door waiting to borrow a
drawing of tea.
The gentle widow hustled out; Mr..
Browne turned to Barbara
Yes SAID he, i am going to return
to New York. But [ shall leave
something behind me-
eve shall be very happy to take
charge OF anything for you said Bar
bara, who was sorting over rod.cheek'
ed pears for preserving.
Shall you? But you don't know
what it is, Barbara suddenly lapsing
into extreme gravity, 1T is my heart,
| am driven TO confess that / have
lost it--and to you
You are ioking!' cried Barbara,
coloring and hslf-disposed to be in,
dignant.
Il never was more serious in my
life,' asseverated Mr.. Browne. Il do
love you, dear little Barbara, truly
and tenderly. Do you think you
could dare to trust your future to met
Poor as | seem, I could yet give you
a good home
ooh, | am not afraid Of that, said
Barbara, with rising color and droop'
ing oyelashca u have been brought
up to be independent, You know, and
| believe could earn n little money
BY art work, if ever / had the chance.
Tiff you really care for me
My own darling =
Then yes | do love you 2
So Barbara was wooed and won.
'Of course, the dear little mother
must live with us, said MIR. Browne
L