South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-06-22

said to her mother, who came to- ths
door OF the parlor moment abou,
some affair strictly OF u family ma,
ture. that Dir. Clinton was entirely
different to what she had imagined
him to be.
But tue major did not know all
this, and after the bu.iness of the Q.
vening ended he began to feel the old
familiar colo sweat that had been his
torment in the swamps OF tue Chick.
ahominy fifteen years before. Con.
versation had dropped to the dead le
vel OF the National Academy, the last
new novel and Browns last volume
OF poems. all of which were very bad.
Miss Nell looked interested. pretty
and sentimental until tho major hall
wished she would be her natural self.
Tor he had at last rouscd himself to
the combatativs state and he wanted
tctak WITH her In the most serious
manner. abou, her, sister. AT last lie
made desperate effort and said
Miss Wallerson, l called this even.
ing only on business, aud l have for
a long time wanted to say something
to you about matter
Excuse ME, just for an instant in.
tcrrupted Miss Neil, the gas IN hiss.
ing dreadfully. Won't you be good
enough to sec which burner it is
I'm just too short to reach any of
them, I'm sorry to say
The major FASTENED to the rescue.
lie heard Kissing noise as of the es
cape OF too much gas, but could not
be sure which OF the six burners was
at fault, So he turned down one aftor
another until the noise stopped aud
the parlor was almost dark.
'1ou are very kind murmured
Miss Nell, az the major resumed his
seat near her. the blowing of gas is
dreadtully annoying to the ear. BY
the,way you were saving that
The major resisted a temptation to
say: Oh, nothing of any consequence
and said:
i have been long the most rover.
ent aaorer OF 4 certain young lady
who
oh, major! exclaimed Miss Nell :;
'the idea OF You being in love Did
you
Excuse me, Miss Wallerson,' said
the major. hastily, but no one is com
petent to pass an opinion on my con
dition of mind but myself. / fully
know my own fee!ings, and merely
wish an opportunity to explain them
III such manner as may be most re,
spoctfal.'
Il beg your pardon, major said
Miss Neil, now entirely on her guard.
Please continue, and believe no one
here can doubt Your sincerity
The majors heart. gave mighty
bound evidently this mischievous
girl suspected something aud was will
ing to suppress herself.
4 have long been worsliiping q IL !.
dy whom would have been glad to
make ray wife,, continued the major.
If / had not feared that my love ard
what else l had to offer her would
not deem compensation for what she
would be obliged to give up
Your thoaghtfulness does you hon
or, major.' said Miss Nell, in the Kind
est way in the world.
Thank you-thank you said tho
major, hastily. Perhaps, then, you
will understand why / speak with
more than customary freedom. Miss
WallerSon, / was trained in my youth
full days TO such unqucstioning rover
emce for woman, that / feel almost
like ata:cfwhen 1 think OF asking any
woman for her hand and heart
Again, major, | must say that your
thoughtfulness and dclicacy do you
honor said Miss Nell, as demurely
as If she had mover teased any one in
her life.
Il hank you-thank yon,' said the
major again. Il would like first to
explain myself. if may trouble you
for a moment. l am, / believe. an
honorable man ! have a good bust
ness aud good bank account.
want TO devote both, and my lie be-
sides, TO the service Of the sweetest
woman that ever lived. / caunot ex.
pect her to love me "a I love her, for
she is All angel and | am ouIy-well,
only man.
a true nan, said Miss Nell, still
as demure as parsou, is as good as
anything else in the wo,ld-even "a
good as true woman
DO you really think so?' asked the
major. i must believe you against
my viii, but entirely according to my
inclination. Well, the woman whom
| love you know very well no one
can know her better; she is pure.
good, sweet, noble, TENDER
'Major--mJor2' exc lamed Miss
Noll.
please don't contradict me on this
particular point, SAID the major; Il
really think l know am sure do. ,
Then, SAID Miss Nell, 1T would he
very impo!ite in me to contradict, but