South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1885-04-03
FOR HIS MoTHER,s SAKE.


Unmarried at twenty-five. / was
rich, entirely my own mistress. and
considered more than pretty; and still
in spite OF many excellent opportuni.
ties to change my condition, I was
rapidly drifting toward. old-maiden.
hood; no wonder people called me
hard to please. @
/ bad admirers and suffers in plen.
~; where 10 the heiress who has not {?
And two men loved me.
! shy stwo men, There were ma
ny who made professions, and Of whose
sincerity l have no means to Judge.
but these two can answer for as for
myself, and 1 know they loved me.
Nevcr were two people more un-
like each other, in locke, in taste, die
position, temper, everything. It Seem
led the StranGast4 thiaG. In the world
that both should fancy me.
Even their respective circumstan.
ces and positions in life offered a strik.
ing contrast. George Redeem was q
wealthy and influential banker, forty
years OF age, grave, quiet, and rcserv.
ed IN manner, and with an indisputa.
bio and enviablc standing in society
"a man against whom no breath OF
reptoach or blame had ever stirred
while Robert Deuc-my Robert, whom
loved was comparatively poor,
having only his salary as confidential
clerk in the Redfern bank tout of
which he supported widowed moth
err, and Was one OF those merry, cheer
fui. light.hearted fellows who somo-
how-perhaps from their love of
company and pleasure-got the name
OF being wild without deserving it.
Certain.i it is that Robert merited no
word Of evil, though there was time
when it looked otherwise.
Mrs. Dene had been my dear dead
mothers friend. Naturally often
won't to visit her. She as a great
invalid, and hardly ever went out. ex.
cept for an occasional quiet drive with
her devoted con, who idolized her {;
so much 80 that l grew positively
jealous.
For Robert and I understood each
other, as lovers will. He was very
sensitive aud bigh-minded. l thought,
at first, that because | was an keiress
he would never speak the love knew
he felt, and which / longed to hear !;
but the welcome declaration came ut
last.
And I had Mr.. Redfern to thank
Tor it. | met him ct Mrs Dene's cot
tage one evening, when he had stop
ped to speak to Robert on some bust.
ness, having CHANGED 10 sec him in
the garden AS he WIS riding past.
l was at the window, leaning out,
and he saw me. l knew, afterwards,
that that was the reason be astonished
Robert by accepting his invitation to
come in.
He was very quiet retiring man.
going little into society. and bearing
the reputation of confirmed old
bachelor, but after that evening he
changed.
seemed to meet him everywhere.
He made the acquaintance of people
whom 1 visited. lie took to go NC to
balls, theatres, operas; and whom I
had met him good many times, he
requested permission to call on me
Robert heard of it, and grew jeai.
Gus. Quo evening he came to me,
his dear handsome face looking gloo-
my aud sad enough.
We have been friends for cara
said he, 'and | belive you like me well
enough to grant me favor. l love
you, Kate. That's no news TO you;
is it? Well. | never should have told
you so---never should have asked YOU
to become my wife, because you are
rich and l am poor; but, my girl, |
can't staud quietly by and see another
take what I'd have died to win; so I
want you 10 tell mo truly if you in.
tend to marry Redfern, and if it's yes
| shall go out of the country, and stay
out until j can get over it,
Oh, the happy girl ] was when |
heard him The precious words |
bad longed for were spoken at last
He might have seen the 10, in my
face. felt my cheeks burn, and my
eyes grow bright with happiness; but
he kept his face gloomily turned a.
way.
So l stole MP to him. half shy, half
bold, all joyful, and slipped my hands
about his arm.
And can you get oe er it, do you
think 2 l askeH demurely.
He looked at NE then. and olsen
gagged his arm. lie thought | was
trifiing with his pain, and was vexsd
at me.
This is no jest with me, Miss Graz
ven, whatever it may be to you he
said a ite sharply; i did not expect
that you would make it one Yes
very coldly Il am not love-sick
fool. do suppose shall get over it
| looked at him reproachfully.
felt the tears spring to my eyes st his