Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1886-07-09
ONLY A COMPANION. {.

IL SCeiilS 10 llc uOI Z look rs well rs
usual tonight; ,aid Mrs. Major Dart
burg. 1
She shook her jct-black curls in a ser
pcntinc cataract about her face rs she
spoke, and critically surveyed herself in
the glass.
Mrs. Major Durtburg had been young
er, and she had been prctticr, but she
was surprisingly well gottcn-up for all
that BY gaslight you could scarcely
have told that she was n day over thirty
years of age. And, rs she invaribly took
the prccaution to be accompanied into
'..socicty" by her companion, Miss Orms-
by, whose special duty it was to observe
and correct all mistakes of costume, COM
plcxion and curls before other eyes could
possibly take note of thcm Mrs. Dart
burg felt tolerably safe.
Mrs. Dartburg was widow in search
of a rich husband. The deceased major
had been inconsidcratc enough to die
and leave her without an income which
was decidedly incompatible with her
wants-and the only thing left for her
was to marry some one who could supply
the awkward deficiency.
So Kate Ormsby was taken every year
to some gay watering place or brilliantly
throngcd springs
Kate was very unlike her patroncss, rs
she sat there pale and quiet in her blue
dress. Her face was oval, with limpid,
hazel eyes; features pure pnd straight,
and masses of raven black hair coilcd in
heavy braids at the back of her head.
'Tnsipid looking" Mrs. Major pdrtiItitg
declared. Kate cared very little fol, the
verdict, as long as her Salary" rs Mira.
Dartburg preferred to phrase 1t, sufliced
for the support of her two little orphan
brothers.
NO" said Mrs. Dartburg, querulous-
ly, 81 don't look rs we'll as usual and if
Mr.. TruXton is TO be there 1 want to
look better. Mr.. Truxton has estates in
the West Indies, owns yacht and drives
four-in-hand. tell you what, Kate,
you must put on little more rouge on
the left cheek And, Katc-if you
would only leave off wearing those dow
dy black dresscsl really am beginning
to be ashamed of you when VIC go into
the ballroom. Do get something new
and stylish-a black iron-g -grenadine, or q
China Grape"
'T have others to provide for besides
myself" said Kate, quietly. "I cannot
afford the new decorations of which you
, speak, Mrs. Dartburg."
'But I'm not aware that am called
upon to support all the beggars and or
phans in crcation!" said the widow,
sharply. "Herc-put this spray of pur
pie pansics in your hair-thcy are quite
mourning enough, Pm sure"
Mrs. Dartburg's scarlct-lippcd smile
was unwontcdly sweet that night, as she
courtesicd low TO Mr.. Truxton, the ricf
widower
Giles handsome" thought the ans.
band huntrcss. "Dear me, he can't bt
over forty, and as straight as an arowp
And she chatted away in her most fas-
cinating manner rs she walked through
the rooms, leaning on Mr.. Truxton's arm
ga very agreeable woman" thought
the millionaire, Though not as young n.
she has bcenl Knows everybody, ant
seems exceedingly amiablc. If 1 should
marry .again-and, really, little Ton
needs woman's care when he is at hom,
for the holidays-it certainly is worth
thinking aboutw
These were the disjointcd meditation.
that passed through Mr.. Truxton's minG
rs he politely listened to the widows
chit-chat, and asked questions about the
various occupants of the crowded room.
'Who is that tall girl by the Window
he asked, "with the black eyes and tht
pretty hair?"
GLOW strange that you should motto,
herl Why, she is my companion, Kate
Ormsby, a sort of poor relation, whom
keep with me out of pure charity"
every kind of you, 1 am sure" sait
Mr.. Truxton, and he thought again tha
with such an amiablc parsonage as thi
his motherlcss little boy would hardly
fail to be happy.
'It's trial at tines" went on Mrs
Dartburg, who was determined to n,
tralize the admiration which beamed il
Mr.. Truxton's eyes, rs he glanced back
over his shoulder toward Kate's quccnly
form, "for her temper is exceedingly un
certain"
Mr.. Trpxton felt himself moro apt