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

ictt a. fittie saiIt.
Just then Mr.. Harding joined us,
and Nell. saying she was tired, babe
us good night.
Feeling in no mood for sleep in
my present state of happiness, said
something to Frank about taking a
smoke, and telling him not to sit up
for me, passed out of the open wind.
ow and wended my way toward the
lake. There was a large willow near
the shore, and under this rustic seat.
where had often sat with Nell.
Throwing myself down there, l be.
gan to muse upon the great blessing
that had fallen to my lot, when the
stiffness of the night was broken by
voices, one Of which / instantly rec
ognized "a Neli's. Looking. through
the branches, | saw the figure OF a
man beside her. but could not distin-
guish bis features. The blood seemed
10 freeze in my veins rs ! saw him
stoop and kiss her twice. aud heard
him say
MY darling, / ,honght I should ne.
YER see you again
Il waited to hear no more, but has
tily re.iaced my steps, cursing The
faithlessness of women, and of this
one woman in particular. This then
was what the note had- meant-an
appointment 10 meet her lover. And
l bad thought her so pure and good,
so far above the generality of her sex
| vowed that / would never willing
ly look.upon her false beautiful face
again. Even ut this late day the bit
terness of that night comes back to
me.
II explained to Frank that l should
be obliged to leave on the early train,
asked him to make my adieus to the
family, and in short time | had
left the place far behind me, and was
being whirled toward New York. =
Before | left wrote n note to Nell,
telling her that thanked Heaven had
discovered her perfidy before it was
too late, and that | never wanted 10
look upon her face again.
1t is five years since this all hap.
pened, and ! have never heard from
her since. | saw by the papers that
old Squire Harding was dead, and
that the place had been sold Aud
now do you wonder that never mar
ried, or why | shun the society of
women?'
You are wrong. Tom; you make
your case the rule and not Tue excep-
ton. There are many pure and true
women yet in the world and | pro.
phesy, thatyou will find one in whom
your heart can trust
Never, Hal. Time shall prove
what q false prophet you are
WHO ever lives the longest will
see, the most declared Doctor Ma
thews with wise shake OF his head.
But Tom, want you to come up 20
dinner on Wednesday; you have ne.
yer yet met my wife, who has heard
so much about my old chum that she
Is quite anxious for an introduction.
Say YOU will come
Yes, L will come
VERY we'll ; at six sharp. And
now as have an appointment, | must
be off
Wednesday evening came, and al
six o'clock Mr.. Lennox was ushc"ed
into DIR. Mathews cheerful drawing
ROOM. The doctor came forward to
welcome him, and introduced his wife,
who made soma pretty speech about
any friend of her husband being more
than welcome.
ALLOW me to present you TO my
friend, Misc Harding. Mr.. Lennox :;
Mr. Lennox, Miss Harding said
Mrs. Mathews; and tuning, Tom
was confronted by none other than
his old sweetheart, Nell, who return
ed his rather stiff bow with slight
inclination OF the head.
Her surprise ut meeting him SEEM
cd quite as great rs his own. After
he had time to observe her, he motto.
ed that she was greatly changed she
looked pale aud thin, and doubtless
her mourning drcss accounted for the
sad face. Tom felt az! his old love
returning as he looked at her, so
changed from the bright Nell of 9th.
err days.
Presently the hostess asked Miss
to cling, and as she rose to
obey, Mrs. Mathews turned to To IN
aud said,--
1T seems so good TO have Nell with
me. We used TO nc room mates and
fast friends at Vasear, but somehow !
lost sight Of her, until about month
ago. / found her teaching in the iami
" Of a friend OF mine ;sshe looked
and after much persuasion
on my part | induced her to give ny
her situation and spend month or
two with me IN order TO recruit. Her
people were formerly quite wealthy,
but the eldest son, after plungiug his
father into debt, completed the list of
BIS erormities by forging check for
4 large amount, and then quitting the
COUNTRY. The disgrace killed bis mo-
Their and old Mr. Harding followed
shortly after; and az Frank had mar.
red aud settled in u different State,