South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-12-07

\</ExuC6-kzN nuu uOHC6O
falling to the SUBJ
dued gliding of
feet, amid the talk and laughter of
many voices
The brilliant lights cast long shad-
ows over the beach and out on the
tossing waves.
The tide Of humanity surged up and
down the steps and on the beach al
ways the old story of restless feet and
restless hearts.
The candelabra cast bright glow
upon the golden head Of a girl whose
yellow gown matched her hair. A low
musical laugh, a soft. sweet voice,
whose tones occasionally in the lull of
confusion foated to the ears Of q GEN.
tleman leaning idly over the window
seat, added fascination to a presence
OF undeniable beauty. There was the
usual scarcity of men as at every sum-
mer resort, but it was never Miss
Dane who lacked an attendant. And
Julian King. who listened and glanced
toward her from time to time rs the
sound of her low laugh drifted his
way, smiled cynically, distrustfully.
= "a shallow butterfly" he was say
ing to himself. Perhaps Miss Dane
thinks to repeat this summer her tri-
umphs of last year, here at the same
hotel She begins WELL"
He turned toward the beach for q
solitary stroll. Perhaps his thoughts
were not the most cheerful. The pleas
nnt-mouth under the dark mustache
was not smiling 30 agreeably now, and
the frank blue eyes, usually merry,
were darkened till they seemed almost
black. ''You are fool, Julian King"
ne said to himself, candidly.
And he had thought the same thing
last year, also.
AS time passed Julian King was one
day presented to Miss Dane. He had
notsought an introduction-had rather
tried to avoid it, and while they met
occasionally there was peculiar chilli
ness about the manner Of each, an in
tultive recognition of aversion, though
he treated herewith no discourtesy nor
IN any manner unbecoming a gentle
man.
The hotel was ringing with the gossip
of Miss Helen Danes beauty, her
sweetness, her grace and gowns. Money
In plenty was the accompaniment Of
this Western beauty. An aunt from
Boston, intellectual and also wealthy,
-chapeIoned her lovely niece. Julian
King heard the gossip whispered by
the breezes. A favorite at the hotel,
his yacht, his horses and his good
nature were usually to be depended
on. The girls all liked him and the
matchmaking mammas were extremely
affable. But while his amiability was
UNMARRIED, his susceptibility seemed
non-existent. Beyond genial friend
illness his manner fatty declines to be
cosxed.
There was one day in each week
which no spent in town on plea of
business. Nothing would induce him
to forego this, nor to put off his affairs
till next day. Thursdays Were Julian
Kings town days
One Of the last yachting parties ~
the season was got up by Mrs. BurxSh,
Kings especial friend, who Gales ner-
self his chaperone. It was De par
ticularly pleasant and VS., as we'll
planned as usual. Bps. las! on the
Wednesday appoint6T q storm came
ND in the morpinS1nd prevented the
marty. areatec-s the discontinue of
the would, be.ailors.
"NeYaa1nd," said King; go to-
! NOR '1t will surely be clear"
q; 81 Ia you will be here?" nsIed Mrs
Nor he said. "But that need not
Z fht14n9 take the boat anyhow. I'll
20 miss the fun. You had best
fdefy later than tomorrow, for
Etlde ether is getting go uncertain. "
6ain he would not, though they
fSy1ny leased and begged him to
Pfe his town business to others.
~ Helen Dane gazed seward, quiz
;indiferent as to his going or stay
though she herself was included
4Ark Burton's party.
80 the next day the gay yachting
10y went without him, aud they en-.
s1Ged thsmselves very much in spite
f his Absence.
III fhe train, speeding to town,
- Aang was reading q newspaper.
at9afently he put it down at last
% fell to thinking. Coldly his gaze
faveled over the heads Of his fellow
Messengers. In the seat directly in
FONT Of him was a woman closely
e1ied. Her complete black attire
gave her tho appearance of being in
Inourning. There was something fas-
os7nating about the self-possessed still
ness OF the graceful figure in black.
A child across tho aisle was swing
I1ng upon the arm of the seat. She
ened forward and gave King on i'm
Pertinent tap on tho arm. He hardly
noticed it. A face rising from the
inists OF yellow gauze, a sweet. proud
face, was framed upon the background
laf the woman in black. When the
ain reached the station he pulled
nseH up with jerk.
Shallow2" he had been thinking.
And frivolousp"
The throng at the station, and the
s1ttcabjlity of edginR his way
euSh as quickly as possible, put
er thoughts and visions speedily |
of his mind. Had his friends be. |
him about 10 o'clock, they would
baps have wondered at his business
gements. For that hour found |
passing toward the noisy alleys
byways Of the poorest part of the
city, touching shoulders with a
be drunkard at times, past rib
and vice and wretohedness.