South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1888-04-13

. nursery COVER nose and music teach.
or in great house 10 che city. Inc.
yer have tune TO be lonesom>, and 1
am % very. very happy.
The woman turned her eyes 70 the
fire again, and she steadily and si-
lently watched the dancing flames I:
Lotto seized the opport anlty Of look.
ing at her closely, when the woman
turned, almost sharply:
You we're studying me. What do
you think ? -
if@you Rad siways teen 90 very poor, !.
stammered Iottie. honest but EN-.
barraSsed.'
hsvomau laughed. and not un-
unsteady. .'sa
No. she said. Z wus not. Bot
you are young and I an old, there.
fore, let us talk OF you aud not OF me.
Tell me; do you slways intend 70 live
90 a!one-don't you want 10 marry 2
A wave of color. like the warm tint
to q sea.shell, covered tottie's sweet
face. sf". as.a
Il am going TO marry very soou>'
che said, after moment.
Are you? And'do you mind telling
me about it-and him7' questioned
the woman.
He is teaching German and French
TO the children ] AN nursery-govern-
ess to, and we meet there very often.
know he is good and noble, because
-becsuse l do. He shows It in eve
ry look and ac..'
And you love him 2
'Ah yesl Yes indeedP
Something in the sweet purity and
rapt expression OF the girls face made
the woman turn suddenly and wipe
hss eyes. And then nothing more
WAS said bv either until the dainty
supper Of tea, toast and eggs wac
cooked by Lot.ie. and placed before
the woman ON tray, covered with a
worn but snowy napkin.
What are you going to do with me
to-night-turn me out 2
oh. no iu Iced. You shall sleep
on my bed, and I can make a pallet
here by the fire. My bed is ont OF
sight now she added with q laugh,
as the woman looked around inquir-
ingly. Il like - have my room o
sitting room; SO, II any one comes to
see me, I fold my bed into lounge,
and put all my toilet things behind
that pretty curtain, and that leaves
me little parlor, you see. Isn't it
pleasant P
The old woman''s face was mys.e.
ry as she looked and listened. The
thin lips wore continually twilched,
and the eyes, with all their sharpness
gone,filed again and again with tears
But sho asked no more gu esiions.
Lottie ate her own supper, then
went iuto the closet, took down the
tiny dish.pan. poured out her water
that had been heating viii lie they ate,
then put out and set back the little
stove. and quickly cleaned up all
signs Of supper, working quietly. as
she supposed the weary woman was
dosing. when, on the contrary. she was
intently watching every act of the
young housekeeper. Work done, q.
prom was removed, clean cuffs put on,
the soft curls rushed and tastefully
tied then Lottie came to the lire,
and seeing her visitor awake, said,
with smile and blush:
Ny Robert is coming this evening,
and you will see If he is not good and |
noble looking
He 10 coming this eveningp' tx-
claimed tie woman. starting up.
Then must go al once
Indeed, no! Where would you
go2 You will stay right here said
Lottie, with decision.
And at that very instant steps
sounded on the stairs, and she added,
With quick smile:
Here he is now
Trembling and evidently at her
wits end, tie woman sank back into
her seat; and now while LottIe went
To tue door and greeted her lover in
Q. Few Iow.spoken words, she sat STAR
ing into the Ere, . smile gradually
breaking over her face. as though
Consideration had given place TO a.
musement.
Laying bis hat and coat over q chair,
Robert Ciaxton came round to the FIRE,
and looked down at the old woman as
she looked up at him; and there was
q moments silence.
Grandmother be exclaimed at
last, in a voice OF stupefed amaze
ment. Grandmother, am l dream
mgr
Well no, think rot. You don't
appear TO be- answered she, as though,
after all it was a great joke.
But -whal-I-'
Didn't | say | was going to?' ask
ed she, shortly.
No. you didn't say what; and
never thought
No. | suppose MOI; but did.
See here, Lottie!'
Like one doubling Der senses, Lott!e
bad stood listening to this strange dia-
logue, and even at this peremptory
order sue had not the power TO move.
This Is my grandmother, Lottie,'
began Robert, as il ut loss how to
tell his story.
But she interrupted him briskly.
III tell you about IL myself, Lot
tie, said she. Il am his grandmolh-
er, and am not poor; and DO more
- :. 10 a - I