South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-05-06
A LEAP YEAR STORY.

1t was very small house In the
heart of crowded city, and vet as
small as it was, three families made
home there. The first floor, and
the one that brought the most rent,
was occupied by James Saunders,
retired sea captain, who was sup
postd to possess gold mine, at the
very least, and who had undoubted-
ly 'feathered his nest" we'll in ma
ny years of prosperous voyaging.
The basement floor was distin-
guished by a sign over the door, and
a shop window, wherein were dis
played the wares of a grocery
George DAWSON a very small
scale; a grocer who bought by the
basket and box. and sold by the
half peck or pound.
Up stairs-there was only one
story above the first foor-Nanette
lived with her mother, Madam Hill
lien. Nanette had been ten years
In America, and was employed by
a milliner, who made good use of
Nanette's nationality when her Gus
toners suspected her of being any
thing but French mil'iner. Mad
am Hillien was yellow and W inkled
and wore an sacque of dingy colors
over black silk petticoat, and a
cap Of elaborate construction over
very rough, gray hair. Nanette
was clear brunette, with eyes black
as s.oes and soft as velvet, checks
like the heart Of crimson rose,
teeth like pearls, and the triggest
little figure ever balanced on two
pretty feet. With scant means and
her French tastes Nanette was al
ways well dressed. Her print gowns
fitted her to a nicely, her hair, CLOS
sy and abundant, was always ar
ranged becomingly, and there was
never anything tumbled or soiled to
mar Nanette's toilette.
Two men, at least, adored Ma
nette. George Davis in heart-sick
silence Capt. Saunders with the
audacity of wealth and position.
Captain Saunders sent always to
Madame Hillien such preserves
and fruits as opened wide the eyes
OF the favored few invited to partake
of them. He had always a friend
in port, just arrived from Cuba.
from Liverpool, from China, from
any point where the long arm of
commerce pushed her vessels anG
these friends would always have
foreign dainties to tempt the gold
from the purse of the generous cap
tain. IT was whispered that fabrics
only suited for feminine wear, lew
els, fans, trinkets, also came TO the
captains room, but Of these he said
nothing. Boxes Of oranges, jars of
ginger, boxes of macaroni, tempt
Ing morsels from all lands were car
ried up the fight of stairs of Mad
anne Hilien, but Of India Muslins.
Canton grapes, Pon's silks, rings
and bracelets the Captain never said
a word.
Still the face Of George Davis
grew longer and paler day by day,
ag the sight of his rivals prosperi-
ty was forced upon him. 1t was
true that Eanette loyalty purchased
every pound Of tea and peck of DO
tatoes at the grocery in the base
ment and presented her cash with
the smile of an angel. True, too.
that she never passed the grocer
without smile and sometimes a
little blush.
For the grocer was only three.
and twenty, with a blond beard and
eyes as blue as a patch of summer
sky, while the Captain was nearly
sixty, with grizzled red hair, a skin
like mahogany, and eyes Of no es-
pecial tint unless it was sea green.
But the Captain had a long bank
account. and could WOO gallantlv
and loudly, while the grocer only
spoke with his eyes, and wondered
vaguely how long two could live
upon profits that we're half star "a
ton for one.
"She is so pretty - the poor
young fellow thought, with sigh,
ono wonder she likes to ride with
the Captain in the Park, while /
am tied to the counter aad cannot
even afford to hire a boy 70 roll in
the barrels. ] could not send a
basket homo If a customer ask
cd It."
But, FORUM ately, the customers