South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-04-20

By ROSE yrRDEx.

tom, why have you never mar.
/. ried?' suddenly asked DIR. Mathews
of his old friend, Tom Lcnnox, at
their first meeting after ;ome years
separation. which had been passed by
the doctor in perfectiny himself in
the medical profession, and 10y his
friend in bringing all his energies to
bear on the practice OF law.
We'll, really, I've never taken time
to think about it, declared he. in an.
swer TO this rather abrupt address; but
as he said it the QUICK eyes OF the doe
tor noticed u flush that spread for a
moment over the dark, handsome
fuce
Nonsense, Tom! If you have ne /.
Yer thought OF it before, it is high
time you begin now. ann so happy
myself III my married life that
should like TO see you similarly sit.
uated'
Very kind of you, am sure said
his friend, gayIy. But am afraid
that you will never be gratifed.'
'But whatever induced you to
change your views? l remember in
the old days at college, you were
particularly fond of the society OF Ia
dies
We'll, perhaps I was then. But
you ask what change has come over
the spirit OF my dream. THEREBY
hangs Il tale. Ii you like To listen [
don't mind relating toyou my expert.
ence OF the per.idy of woman. But
first settle yourself comfortably in
that armchair and try some OF these
llavanas; | datter myself they are
rather good.
You must know that | worked ra
Their hard ut my profession for q year
or two after leaving college, until
finally | began to feel tie need of rest
One day whilst | was trying to make
up my mind where | could spend a
few weeks OF my enforced vacation,
IAN against Frank Harding-you
remember Franli?- who first eXcl.tim-
cd at my worn appearance and then
declared That he should take me
down home with him. where, 10 quote
his expression l should be myself in
no time.
Well, to GET rid Of him promised
to go; aud one fine morning in June
we left New York, AMI after Il pleas.
ant journey reached the little village
or NJ, where carriage was IL wait,
ing TO convey US to Franks home. l
| found 1t to be large, Old fashioned
stone.horsc half buried in shrubbery,
situated about two miles from the vii.
lage. Old Squire Harding, splen.
did type OF the gentleman farmer, wei.
coined me heartily aud then introduc,
ed me to his wife, i; pleasant.fuced
lady of about forty five years.
Where is Nell, mother?' inquired
Frank, after we had refreshed our.
selves by partaIling of the luncheon
Mrs. Harding's forethought had pro.
vided for Us.
Here, brother said voice at this
moment at the door, and the radiant
vision just entering was Introduced TO
me as Miss Nellie Harding, the only
daughter OF the house, and for this
reason petted aud INDUCED to her
hearts content.
'She was of medium height and
perfect blonde she had the brightest
meriicst face, and the gloomy Old
rooms seemed to light up rs soon "a
she entered them.
1T is needless TO tell you Of my rap.
ID improvement; of the walks and.
drives | took with the charming Mel
lie, and the moonlight rows on the
lovely little lake that lay about quar-
ter of mile from the house.
Il had not been at Mr.. 1Iardine's
house a week before | was in love
with the beautiful Nell Harding. /
tremble sometimes when | think of
my sheer folly, and the treachery by
which one woman betrayed my trust.
But | ain anticipating. Sometimes /
would flatter myself that she really
cared for me, but her moods were so
variable and | a'ternated between
hope and fear. AT last, however, aus.
pense grew intoIcrabIe, aud / deter
mined to learn my Fate.
it was tie last night Of ms stay
with the IIardings. and they had Vi.
ven a lawn party in my honor. The
grounds reminded me OF iairy.laud
with the Chinese lanterns lighting w
the scene, and the brilliantly attircd
guests fitting here and there. / had
been dancing with Neil, who looked
Iovelier than ever, to Que OF Strauss's
dreamy waltzes, and mt its close pro.
posed that we should walk down TO
the lake. She cOusented and bcinc
intoxicated ] suppose. oy the moon
light and tie brilliant scene we had
just left, ! could restrain myself no
longer, but told her the old, old story
that IS ever new, aud was made I'M
speal<ably happy by her consent to be
my wife
we were so engrossed with each
other that we had not noticed the
flight OF time, aud returned to the
house as the last guests were leaving.
AS we were crossing the lawn rag.