Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-09-30

ring still. And she hates the very idea
of marrying Doctor Darrow-only-
only mamma has made her feel that it
was her duty. Oh, don't look so stern
and white at INC, JiT-dear Jiml It's
dreadful thing to have to tell you, but
l think you ought to know. Please,
please don't ever let mamma or Ethel
know that said this to you'll But if
you could make them believe you were
engaged to somebody else," said Milly,
with sudden flush of hope dyeing her
check, "then think Ethel might learn
to be happy with the New York man."
Engaged to somebody else, chr" said
this unknown confidant "But to whom2
To yourself, for examplc2"
"Ycs. Why notl" said Milly, with
the utmost gravity. "Mcrely as blsi-
ness matter, you know. Well call it
mc-only you must go away, Jim, and
not sec her again"
"Stop the horse" he said, quietly.
"Wait until can lift my valise out, and
goodby, my little fiaucee!"
"You are really going7" rapturously
exclaimed Alilly, clapping her small,
gauntlcted hands. "Oh, Jim, how good
of you-how nobel 1 almost do think l
love you now. And remember, this is
for Ethel's sake"
"For Ethel's salc2" repeated her COM
panion, ana he smiled and nodded. az
shall reach the station by this cross-cut
through the woods" he said, sin time
for the next down train, and"
The close Of the sentence was lost in
the clattcr Of n tinware wagon that just
then joltcd along, melting the Moore
pony to mad emulation, and, before Milly
could check his enthusiasm, she was
nearly at tho tumbledown gatcs of the
old mansion itself.
Ethel herself was in tho tangled rose
garden, gathering white and cream col
ored and royal red roses-Ethel, more
flushed aud lovely than any princess;
and beside her, under tho full radiance
of the June sunshine, strollcd tall,
handsome young man, carrying the bas-
kct and the scissors.
"AIilly, come here" cried Ethel,
springing brightly forward. "Hcre's
your Cousin JIM"
The girl stared blankly at him over
the wheel of the village cart.
"No," said she, ''hc's IN imposter.
He's not my cousin. The real Cousin
Jim rode half way up with me and
jumped off at Beach Corners"
'But, nevertheless, said the Spanish
faced young fellow, mildly. az am Jim
Elliott, and l am your cousin. Ask
Ethel, here, if it isn't sol"
He looked down into Ethel's blue,
sparkling eyes; he drew her slim, white
hand under his arm, with sort of ten
der proprictorship that startled poor
Millicent.
''If you are Cousin Jim," said she,
slowly, 'who was the handsome man
with the gray suit and the dark blue
eyes, and the little scar over his left
eyebrow"
"ls the child drcalning2" said Ethel,
with sweet burst of laughter. "She
talks as if she had seen Doctor James
barrow himself"
Milly never stopped to greet this hand
some, unwelcome kinsman of hers; she
rushed frantically TO her own room, and
burying her face in the pillows of her
bed, burst into tears.
"Oh, what have done2" she sobbcd.
uscl"
The next day there came :. letter to
Ethel Moore.
She ircwncd little as she recognized
the handwriting of her aflianced hus-
band-then she broke it ooen and read
its contents.
"Jim," she murmured to the young
| man who lounged in the cushioned WIN
dow seat.
"Well, my queen2"
ut isn't necessary for us to clope now.
IL almost believe / love James Darrow
after all. A man that can be as chival-
rous as that"
She laughed-an1 then burst out Sob
bling as she flung the letter to Cousin
Jim.
"Oh, he is so good-so good!" she
faltered. "He gives me back my troth.
But mamma IS to have the settlement
just the same to rebuild NIoorc's Cliff
with, and there is thousand year for
me, as long ms live. Oh, jim, don't
deserve it. won't take it,
Eyes, you WILL" said busincss-liko
Jim-''you'll take all you can get. We
can i've on air, you know, darling, and
my income is rather slim as yet. He's n
good old duffer-"
"Old2" half angrily interrupted Ethel.
"NO older than yourselfl But what
does this mean-about the ring2 He says
am to give it to Millicent for herself.
She will know what it meansi Well, if
this isn't the straugest riddlel"
Milly looked defiantly st her sister
when the message was delivered to her.
"But won't take the ring" said she,
half historically, resisting Ethel's effort
to slir the superb diamond solitaire on
her finger.
"You mustl" said Ethel. "Jim's tur.
quoise is deal more precious to me thnn
this great gem. The wedding is to come
oil just the same, but Jim is to be the
groom. Oh, what are diamonds to met
am SO very, very happyl"
"And this is all you care for Doctor
Darrow's noble generosity" said Milly,