South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-05-13

ON dame in madder-rcd calico and
frilled white apron, came to sum-
mon the guests to dinner. :,
"We'ye only q roast fowl, with
bread sauce aud . little cranberry icl-
ly," said MIRA. Mkt ''but it amt
often az folks stop here over meal,
and hope. ladles, an you'll kindly
pardon any shortcomings"
But Miss yervain stopped short
on the very threshold OF the dining
room.
al should prefer o table to my
SELF" said she, haughtily.
"Ma'am J" said Mrs. Mkt.
Dear Clara" pleaded Lucy, in
an agony OF distress, as she saw the
red flush rise to the forehead of the
old man in snuff .colored suit, who
sat at the head Of the Widespread
board.
81 prefer dining with my sister,
only" insisted Miss Vervain, de-
lighted with an opportunity of as
sorting her exclusiveness. "Real-
ly, ! cannot imagine how people
can obtrude themselves in this sort
of way"
The old man rose quietly.
''Do l understand, young wo-
man." said he, "that you object
to me ~
eyes, sir, l do object to you-if
You compel me to put it in that
way" said Miss Vervain.
"Indeed ~ The old man lifted
his griRzled brows. 81 may not be
one of your fashionable tops"
"That is easily to be seen," con-
temptuously interpolated.the young
lady.
"But / am clean and decent"
added the stranger. However, ]
dare say Mrs. MKT can aooommo-
date me with a plate and knife and
fork in another room, if my pres
ence is really obnoxious to these
young women"
young ladies, sir, if you please"
said Miss Vervain, with toss of
her head.
lie smiled shrewd, sagacious
smile.
"As to that" said he, "opinions
may perhaps differ" And he fol-
lowed Mrs. Mkt into the kitchen.
Clara Vervain took her seat COM
placently at the table.
"These people will begin after
awhile to comprehend the difference
between lady and a shop-girl,"
said she. cit is quite evident that
they are not favored with many
Travellers"
Half an hour afterward, as the
old man in the snuff-colored suit
was stepping into his plain, little
carriage, a soft hand touched his
sleeve, and turning, he found him.
self looking into Lucy Veryain's
troubled brown eyes.
"Well, my DEAR" said he, kind
~, "what is it 20
W-I only wanted to beg your
pardon, SIR" faitered the little bru-
nette. 81 am sure my sister did
not mean to hurt your feelings,
and"
81 am sure, at ali events, that
you did not" said the old man,
kindly. "And / dare say that your
sister will be wiser one of these
days ~
And thus speaking, he nodded
goodhumoredly, and drove away.
1t was nearly dark, however, be-
fore the clumsy carryall which was
to convey the two New York ladies
to their destination arrived, and
they entered it.
"To Cliff Hail." said Miss Yer
vain haughtily, rs she leaned back
in the seat, and settled her skirts
languidly around her.
"Cliff Hall 70 said Mr.. Mkt
staring.
"You don't mean as you're 90
ing to Cliff Hall ?' echoed Mrs.
Mkt.
"I think we have considerably
astonished these good people," said
Miss Vervain, with smile, as they
ratified away from the door.
"I only hope our Uncle Cliff
will receive us kindly, "sighed poor
Lucy.
Cliff Hall was substantial old
mansion built of gray stone, with q
succession Of terraces falling down
the mountains side, and exquisite
groups Of statuary half-hIdden IN
the forest trees and the lights
were already beginning to CLEAN
Hospitality along its front as they
droveup. An old manservant open
ed the outside door just far enough
to reveal the CHEEKY glow Of a wood
fire, and the deep tints Of q Grim
son Administer carpet within.
els my Uncle Cliff at home ?"
said Miss YervaIn, with an air and
a grace.
"Mr. Cliff is-Ay, men," an
swered tho servant, with q strong
Scotch accent.
"Tell him his nieces from New
York are here, the Misses Vervain,"
said Clara, as she swept into the
As she entered, an old man dress
cd in snuff-brown rose from before
the blazing logs.