South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-07-06
A Little Coward.

trembled and turned pale because the
black mare reared with her. She
begged Sir Robert to take her off, and
stood i'll ignominious safety, while
Agatha Merivale mounted Stella and
rode off triumphandy down the av-
enue.
She was q coward. She did not
deny it. and was sometimes very much
ashamed of it. But no one had seem.
ed to mind it until Agatha Merivale
came, with her bold, dark eyes and
her dashing ways, her riding and
hunting; and everybody admired A
gatha SO much, even Sir Robert.
She almost hated Agatha! You
see, until Agatha came they had been
so happy at De Rossett. Little orph-
an Madeline Leigh hadnever been 80
happy in her life as here at the hall
with sweet Lady De Rossett. who was
her guardian, and her son, Sir Robert.
fhey were so kind and good TO her.
They petted her and loved her So
And now Agatha had come, and for
two weeks had monopolized Sir Ro.
bert. and kept the house in u turmoil
OF gayety, and laughed at Lima and
made her life wretched.
Llna's maid reported that everyb,.
dy said Sir Robert was to marry Miss
Mr,vale. Lima made stern re
solvo that she would run away from
the hall when that event took place
Run away! She would run away now .
Not far though-she was too much of
q coward to venture far into the world
alone; but she would go away across
the fields to Aunt Margarets,' rs she
calico Lady De Rossett's widowe! ss
ter-in-law, who lived in quiet, com,
Portable house a mile away from the
hall
Mrs Harrington WAS an invalid,
paralyzed and confined to her bed
She was rather grim old lady, and
most were inclined TO shun her. But
ut the little gate that led from the
park into the fields, Lima was greatly
disconnected by an unexpected en-
counter with Sir Robert and Miss
Merlvalc. who came laughing and
talking along the path, both looking
bright and handsome in the golden
rays OF the scttiL e sun.
She brushed past them with a has.
ty good evening" but Sir Robert turn
ed back to speak TO her.
wv here are you going, Lina? he
asked.
TO Aunt Marearct's,' she answ cred
not looking at him.
Alone. Lina2' are you not afraid?
If you will wait a littlc while will GO
with YOU Sir Robert said, looking
down kindlyI~at the girls flushed
cheeks and syorted eyes
No, thank& Lima answered hasti-
ly. Il will not.trouble you. Leo will
take care Of me. Aud you wonld
be late for dinner if you went with
me-
MAY come for yoa, then, after
Dime" Sir Robert asked.
Thanks | am not coming back.
shall stay all night was the hurried
answer and LIMA Turned to go.
But Sir Robert detained her for n
moment.
Lima he said in a Low tone, what
makes you avoid me so lately? What
have | done to offend your
Lima raised her blue eyes hastily to
his for one moment and then dropped
them again.
Il have not avoided YOU she said
coIdIy. you have been much occu-
pied with-other people. There l
will not detain you
She waved her little hand haughti.
~ and walked away from him. He
watched the pretty, whiterobed fig
ure tor moment and then Leo came
and fawned OH him
Leo, Leo! called Lina's voice.
go, Leo said his master and the
obedient dog trottcd OF down the
path after the girl.
1t was rather dreary at the Iolge'
that evening. Miss Harrington was
out OF humor because her agent had
failed To call that day TO receive e1.-
900 that she wished him to deposit
for her. And Parkius, her nurse and
bouse.maid, let all the male servants
go off to q fair iu the village whore
they will certainly get into mischief
Mr5. Harrington said.
But when Lima had talked 20 her
and made her laugh little. she for
got her grievances and chattel away
very pleasantly. st 10 O'Clock she
declared she bad laughed til she wac
tired, and Lima must give her her
drops and let her go to sleep.
There! The spoon Is gone. Where
could Parkins have put it? Child
would you mind running downiu'o the
pantry 4 bringing nc a spoou2 / would
ring for ParKlns but she told me she
wanted 10 get up some musios this
evening, and would come ~ "a soon
as she had finished
Lima did not altogether Ike to- pass
down the long stairs aud silent entries
leading to the pantry, but she went
and Leo trottei after her. As she