South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-03-08

IL have too good q reason to ever
/ forget it, I answered bitterly.
I saw her face flush. She went on.
4 answered that letter the next
day. II was OF vital Importance TO me
that il should 60 then as there would
be TO other mail Tor several dsys.
was troubled wien wrote it, and
( stamped IL at my unc'e's desk while
tue messenger was waiting to take it
TO the Office. l found, 100 late. that
I had mis-stamped it. have been
utterly wIeiched for the psst few days
on account Of that mistake. l knew
too we'll what the fate of my letter
would be. Judge then how relieved
! felt when my uncle brought mo
tbis'--taking from the mantel-piece
The letter that had come that morn
iug. 'Ifit escaped your keen obs r.
walton how did my letter pas, tho
eyes Of the New York officials unde-
tected.' This is my question:
Her eyes searched my face.
Itook her hands in my own.
Annie said !, Il believe I
could make no one understand what
it cost my jealous heart to reclify that
mistake, bat l did 1t. lknew 1t must
be an answer TO that letter you spoke
OF . few nigbts ago. 1t ought to
prove to you how unsel6shly loved
you. my darling, when l restamped
! it and sent il ON its way TO him. !
| never thought you would find il out.
did it to spare you moments uns
easiness. If the man you love cares
for you as much as do he will make
your life happy one.
How can Irepay your generosity?
she asked with voice tremulous with
feeling. sYou could not have acted
better If you had had q peep at the
contents of thst letter. But your re.
ward may be claimed when you lead
tLis.'
| She handed me the letter and gil.
ded out Of the room. took 1t over
to the shaded lamp and read the
following:
Dear Annie: When beside your
fathers dying bed We entered into
an engagement Of marriage; felt as
he did that the interests of the firn
of which he aud were partners would
be best sustained by cur Union. Z
wrote to Jon notifying you of my
readiness 10 fulfil my part Of the
engagement, and requesting you TO
be ready 10 return with me on Sa,ur-
day as my wife. You say to me
that must not come There lie but
one explanation in this refusal, and
that is that you have seen some one
who pleases you better than your
humble servant. 1t is but natural,
child; l cannot blame you. The
young should mate with the young.
and am too much your senior to
expect TO awake in your youthful
heart feelings that have long been
lifeless in my own. 1 release you
from q promise that am now aware
was made by you under The pressure
Of the sad circumstances. But this
fact can never affect the falherly re.
gard that have ever entertained for
the only child OF my dear old friend
Tread no further. Here was INV
reward. And how nearly had lost
it by the desire Of gratifying an un-
generous impulse. Annie has since
assured mo that had Joseph Norris
arrived on the day designated, 30
great was her awe Of her fathers old
partner, that she never would have
had the courage to contend against
her destiny. Indeed, the circum,
stance of having made the error she
did N mis-stamping the letter. seem.
ell to her troubled mind significant OF
deep meaning, and that even be.
yond the grave OF her father sought
to control her actions,
Annie did not return to The par
Tor. found her seated in the doc
tors office apparently interested In
the game which just at tie moment
of my entrance be brought TO vic.
torious conclusion,
Check
Mate cried. finishing the word
for him, and catching Annie in my
arms, needless OF the establishment
Of the elderly pair, demanded my
reward.
Well. Joseph Norris, grey.haired,
common place and unde nstrative,
came TO Greenwell TO other nuptisls
than bis own. He gave away my
dear one with the best OF grace, and
after the marriage congratulated me
on my admission into the firm. My
| ignorance OF h's meaning was so ap,
parent, that with a grim smile he en-
lightened me. With my bride / &C
CURED the hall interest in an Eos.
India firm in New York and Calcnts.
If Annie bad chosen to appear as an
orphan. dependent on the bounty of
her uncle, she had the satisfaction OF
knowing that the love she won was
offered TO her alone, and not TO the
golden store that attracts go many
suitors.
! MY dearest, sometimes say 10
( her, who would think that In great
measure VIC owe our happiness TO a
little postage stamp
a a.