South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-02-20

cd with silver. for tie moon was Young
and the night perfect. The PERTH
mansion was ablsze with light, tbs
! long drawing.rooms crowded, and a,
, he farther end q temporary stage
Ny dress was only white swiss over
pale blue si.esis, but the swiss Wa,
hand embroideEed, and there vas no
prettier dress IN the room.
After time found myself before
the curtain singing Kathleen Ma
vourneen.' Ny voice Is the one eft
that ] possess, and i .revel,d in my
power that night.
When the concert was over Nellie
Perth came to my side and after the
congratulations over my success were
finished she aided slyly:
You have made u conquest, Char.
ny. The catch Of the season-youug,
rich and handsvme-is quite seriously
smitten, and has been begging me to
present him.
Shortly afterwsrd the catch of the
season made bis bow before me. 1
glanced up with little start, 10 zee
my hero of the churchyar,.. Allan
Morrison was The name thai fell upon
nv ears.
He offered me his arm, and q long
promenade followed. Thep tho dan.
cling began, and Erie Perth claimed
me for lhe first waltz. ! like Erie.
| have always liked him !; but some
how l did not feel inclined to dance
just then. But as we whirled away
together Erie's dark head was bowed
close to my flushed face, and beard
him whisper: Charity >idarlicg-my
little wife.
Il felt my fsce blazing, but I made
no answer, and we foated away to
the sound OF the sweet waltz music
until tue dance wss done. Seating
me upon satin divan Eric went to
procure an ice, when close to my side
Mr.. Morrison started up like spirit.
How happy you lookr he ex-
claimed.
3D. E | returned lightly. swell,
who wouldn't be happy dancing tue
'Manola' with a partner like E ic
Perth ? His step is perfection! No.
body else suits me so WE'LL
OF course | alluded TO the dancing
qualities Of my late part ner. Mr.
Morrison seated himself deliberately
a. my side, . cynical expression upon
his handsome face. thought of the
episode In the churchyard aud drew
involuniarily away. | have no pity,
no pardon for the man who yields to
the G rec lures Of tue wine cup. He
glanced into my face.
Erie is to be envied, Indeed. Miss
Wayne, l have to thank you for an
Get OF charity he was going on TO say
but at that juncture Eric appeared,
followed by a black coaled waiter
bearing a silver trey.
Il know you must be hungry, Char.
typ be cried, in his gay, innocent
way.
Erio and had grown up together,
and he had never honored me With the
superhuous title which be felt bound
TO bestow upon other young ladies'
J Mr.. Morrison arose al once. 1t WAS
evident TO him there MAS al under.
standing between Eric and myself.
Soon after saw him in the neigh
boring bay window, merrily chatting
with Nellie-fIirtlng, OF course. Some
how, | felt I did not love him as Of
yore. Was IL jealousy Bah
slipped my arm into Bric's and we
went of for a stroll in the moonlight.
Morrison looks rather bored, com
mented my cavalier. But must con.
fess that failed to perceivs it, by
the way, Eric Bent on swiftly, that
came young man came near having 9
suDstroke last Sunday RecoIleci
what . terribly warm day it Was
Charity ? lie bad foolIshly walked
sll the way-at Doon-from tho steam
boat landing at our place. We did
! not expect the boat TO arrive until the
next day, 90 never sent the carriage "a
the landing. Allan undertook u
walk 1t, got so far as the church and
jast gave up. He went into the
sburchyard and lay down ia the
} shade. Mr. Lynne found him there
, and he says that he was suffering
from the effects OF the sun, and thai
IL was q pretty close call. ! have
1. koown Allan all my ife,' added Eric
, tie is the very best young man whom
baYe ever met
felt my cheeks burning, my hosrl
J beating With a strange unaccouotsble
} feeling Of relief, but there vas moth
log for me TO say. 80 held my peace
: The ball over, | went homo In the
early dawn with Eric Perth. wbo took
} this opportunity TO tell me that he
loved me, aud wanted me TO ne hi.
{ wife. 1 did not love h,m, and told
him so as kindly as possible. hut /
] did not c0nfde to him that / had
learned TO love another
Days aud weeks went by. I was
ia the garden 1t my oil home one
evening 81 sunset--a sweet, old.fash
. Toned garden, full Of old-iashioned
} flowers. ] vas busy tying up q clumr
Of white lilies when voice make ms
start, and glancIng up saw Allsr
! MORRISON.
Charity, he began a once coolly
ignoring tho fact that I vas Miss
Wayne. / have come 70 say good.
byP
, ! dropped the twlne With which
had been about % secure my lille,
Rnd turned piteous face toward him
Who rouaN wass 90. o.