Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-06-20

times to like him well-very we'll, and
she was certainly very handsome girl,
and he, well, he was undoubtedly in love
with her, and there was the money! It
appeared outrageous to the young man,
whose own patrimony was less ample
than he could have wished it, that a
mere girl and y STRIPPING should each
have inherited such wealth. That was
the STRIPPING riding by now, and the tall,
dark fellow with him was his tutor. 1t
occurred to Tom Revery to wonder, in
passing, whether the tutor ever saw much
of his pupils sister.
"Must be rather rough on the poor
chap if he's susceptible at ALI"
1t was week later, and Miss Brock
ton was not only Mt home this time, but
had been sitting with Mr.. Revcry for
nearly an hour.
There had now fallen over the room a
heavy silence. 1t lasted only few sec
onds, but the pause seemed an endless
one. Miss Brockton had risen suddenly
and was standing with IN elbow against
the mantel. As her visitor seemed help.
lessly to tumble for the fitting word she
repeated little nervously:
81 am sorry-vcry sorry-for this
misunderstanding. But-I-cannot mar
ry you, Mr.. Revery. shall never mar
ry at ALL"
At this unlikely statement the sutton
rogaincd courage.
''Aliss Brockton! Geraldine"
70
ever marry. Of course, many men might
be tempted to propose to me, thinking
me rich. But my property will soon, by
my own desire, be so disposed of that
shall have only n moderate income.
Even should I marry, my will is so made
that nothing have,in case of my death,
would so to my husband SO you see,
such considerations may act as deter
rents"
"hliss BrocSton, you-you cannot
think, it is not possible that you would
believe NC" Revery was turning,
in rapid succession, from red to white,
from white to red The girl pitied his
"Not at all, Mr.. Revcry. I suspect
you of no interested motives. But do
not care for you-in the way you
mean"
Five minutes afterward she was sit
ting by the fire alone, scornful smile
on her lips that presently faded away
and into sigh. Some one came in at
the door us she sat there, but turned
again, retreating. At the sound Geral-
dine glanced around.
Don't go, Mr.. Severn let me tell you
of All interview have just had"
Sine had started to her feet again and
stood III the attitude she had assumed a
little before, with her arms resting on
the chimney top. Dusk was coming on
and the room was in pcnumbra, save
for the freight. These leaping flames
the face above them. Such
y face! Arthur Severn iclt dizzy for
moment. He had never seen her look
like that. She had never flashed that
smile, that cycbcam, upon him. She had
never addressed him in that friendly,
jesting tone. She was suddenly all life,
all softness, all charm. She seemed to
wish to atone for her sullenness, her
What n will O. the wisp she
''An interview" said the young man
guardedly. He would not let himself go.
He kept tight rein on himself.
"With Mr.. Revcry; yes-fancy! 1
have all mt once come to the conclusion
that wish to be married, if am married
At all, for myself. The heiress, Miss
BrocSton. will in short time have prac-
tically ceased to exist and there will re-
main only Geraldine Brocktoa, with a
small income. Well, l told Mr.. Revery
this. And would you believe ita He
did not propose TO Geraldine Brockton,
though IL moment before he had offered
his hand and heart to Miss Brockton, the
hciressw
She was laughing now. Her eyes con
tinucd to flash upon him with that
strange, lambert persistence. 1t was al
most like Il challenge. What could she
mean? Again Severn seemed to turn
dizzy He kept his outward composure
by Il tremendous effort.
IF what you say is true, Miss Brock
ton, you will regret it, perhaps"
''Rcgrct giving nearly all my fortune
to charitable institutions All, you judge
as the world judges, do you' had
thought differently of you, Mr. Severn.
Why should wish to he so rich2" she
cried, with a sort of ficrceness. "Other
women may be able to stand the test I
could not. Twas making me hard, sus-
picious. 1t was making me doubt the
whole world. 1t was sitting me- I
shall have enough left for all the deccn-
cies and comforts of life. And l am
free Yes, am free now. Before
was II slave--a slave to ilatterers, to for
tune hunters, to every form of human
hypocrisy. Other people may feel them
selves exalted by such position. felt
myself degraded"
She stopped. She almost seemed to
pant. The blood rushed to Scvcrn's
brain. Hc took step forward. What
was he about to do-what to say? What
ever it might have been the PORTER was
drawn aside and, Mrs. Gwynnc came in.
The words remained unuttcred on his
lips.
But Miss Brockton spoke. A strange
spirit appeared to possess her, urging her
on, goading her to abrupt disclosures.