South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1885-02-13
A snowy Jnnnsr. afternoon.

Nai III Wutuuk'tO<Uh WI UNSSjeF0 saw
lie snow bio wi K acs oss the " Liteued
ticiLs. and heard ih- sweel ofthe wind
among the leaaess branches und
agaihst the window-panes.
A gentlemou of about 81 stood by
the window. one arm resting on lit
tie shelf, aud eye. bent on the glrlish
face beside him. He was not baud.
come. vet his was face one would
look at with as much or with more ln-
teres: than it the features were a, per
feet as Apollo's owl.
The eyes and mouth were full of
power, the former especially, wonder
fully expressive, aud. AZ he pose
now. full oil easy. qu:zzlcal regard.
Arc you afraid of me, Miss Mar.
ion. DO yOu think l shall prove u
,yranical or lcnient guar,lian?'
Il am not the least bit afraid ot
you, irP the young lady called Mar.
ION answered, in a u colo. business
like voice, looking him in the eve.
Not afraid? How str nigel" lie
said, the smile around his mouth
deepening.
DO YOU generally inspire those who
meet you with awe, Mr.. Vann?'
4 am law, err he replied, there
fore blessed with second sight. ,f
course Not only do we Judge Dy the
outward evidence of the client heart,
but the inner workings the vital
organ is an open book to ns. Your
tic lights Low he pan-ed.
'H e IL she asked ,nipltiently.
Are not Httrering to- ,..e Tor
cons der me an unmitigated bore,
very cold aud professional mot good
looking. You long TOR the school
let behind in the South, where days
like this were unheard OF, and where
the college students svrcnadeI YOU
and dedicated tlowery sonnets to your
beauty
The girl flushed and darted qricS
angry glance at HIM from The dark
eyes under the little tissue veil strap
ped across her nose
'1on are p ea-ed to he sarcastic
she said, with little sneer and shrug
but OF what matter is il? Ii il
az uses yon. sir.lt amuSes me infinite
| ~ moro. | am not afraid at yonr
satire-nei her do like vor!'
Jerome Vann raised his brown eyes
in nnfeigned surprise.
She Was 60 Petite, 90 childish IN
appearance. despite her l. years, and
the open aniniuslty she expressed vas
80 novel. " was all refreshing, aud
he wIched her IDLY as sh went
t. u distant corner and buried herself
in n novel. to the complete exclusion
Of himself.
All he could sec beneath the book
was a pair Of extremely red lips, and
these he watched steadily scarcely
aware OF it. Five minutes passed,
tucked slowly off by the clock in the
empty waiting room. and II brown
curl appeared above the edge OF the
book. then one curious and brig htIy
angry eve, which met his and dlsap-
pcared like fash
Jerome laughed. lie knew nv that
on,burst of mirlh he had totally lost
all vantage ground with her, but he
couiu not heiplt.
Sill smiling, lie walked slowly to
ter side.
DO not freeze me! he said patbet-
icaily. holding out his hand: we must
he friends, you know"
Not at ALI she said, coldly. 81 am
absolutely sure we shall neyer agree
Better begin as we ball surely cni !
'Yon dislike me?' i have said SOL
she answered, tLrning the leaf
And whyS Because | have been
unfortunate enough To Ia unwit-
tinglv off ended you?
'Yon have laughed az me I do noI
know what name they give that IN
the North; in irginia We should ca
that unmannerly.'
If | have been so, Mas Romero.
sincerely beg yonr pardon Jerome
said. stifflv. and retired 10 the window
to- whistle the Exile of Er.n.' in most
disiractng discord, until the train
pulled Slowly in.
Jerome sat by the libra y fire
cigar bctw, en- his lips. his hands
elapsed Idly, h's eyes n most closed
lie WAS listening to a story " hich
interested bin.
A younger man was also sitting by
the fire, IA cane III his hand, and his
chm resting ON the ;op OF it lie was
a very handsome Young fellow, aud
the tireligh., playing ON his mead,
turned hts hai' to gold. and made the
intense. earnest blue eyes seem BLACK.
4 have loved her from the be kin-
ming he said slowly. Through. all
the past moths have loved Marion
silently now will tell her of it, with
your PERMISSION, and learn nv tate
Better ultimate rejection than this
suspense.
Ned Burlington. you love my
ward? Jerome a.ked, calmly, aud no
evidence that his heart was heating
lilo a. I1x,.sa .,,,,t 4 H., -. A.