Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-06-02

al don't believe you have any heart %
I cried, Indignantly.
"Not the tiniest, tiniest Bit" she
said, with perfect good humor; "but,
Bessie, if there is another can't have
Mr.. Gordon2"
"You ridiculous baby" I said, "you
need not ask my permission. wouldn't
marry him if had never heard of IAN
other"
But, after all, it was rather notifying
to my vanity to see how readily she
could make my lifelong lover her slave.
She was so pretty, and her mourning
was the merest pretcnsc-just enough
black to set off her dazzling complexion,
aud she knew we'll the power of beauty.
Then her childlike, innocent ways were
attractive to the elderly adorer had
always kept at u distance. She sang for
him, waltzed with him, devoured his
bon 0ons by the box, iattered him, and
when he threw his fortune aud himself
at her feet, she accepted him.
think papa was secretly delighted.
He was accustomed to my quiet ways,
and this dancing, singing fairy fitting
about rather bcwildercd him. We were
rather old fashioned folks, papa and I,
and my cousin had considerable "girl-
of-thc- period" about her.
1t was just before Lent that Lizzie
told us of her engagement, and IS Mr..
Cor don urged an early wedding day, it
was decided that the week following
Easter should make him "thc happy
man" of gorgeous wedding.
Papa was liberal, and my Leuten du-
ties wore sadly upset by the preparations
for grand reception after the church
wedding. 1t was a perfect delight to
Lizzie TO throw of her black dress and
try on the pretty iinery that papa gave
me permission to provide. She was not
exacting, accepting what selected, but
had orders to be generous, and between
US we had ready a trousseau of which
Mrs. Gordon need not be ashamed.
Eut On Easter Day, when could not
quite detach my heart from earthly mat
tiers, l watched eagerly for IIerbert's
present. l had made no secret of this
little ray of hope that came to me, and
father only gruntcd when 1 displayed
my triiling presents.
was Ill tOOat tlOuC WllCu luis OuC
camc-a little box, such as had twice
before opened. And on the pink cotton
dainty crystal egg. Two lay in my
jewel box; one with n tiny locket, one
with golden cross, inside. 1 opened
this one! My heart gave one sickening
throb, and the whole room seemed to
reel about me. When my sight was
once more clear, | saw on the pretty
pink cotton the ring had given Her
bert Wilson! There could be no mis-
take! There it lay, mocking me with
its tiny clasp hands aud entwincd mi
this. He was false to me! Some fairer
face had won his heat, and he had sent
my ring back to me!
1t had never been my habit to show
my feelings on any occasion, SO closed
up tho pretty crystal egg, locked it
away in my jewel box, and went down to
dinner. Father motto, ed that was very
pale, but accepted trilling headache rs
an excuse, aud l. zzc made no comment.
She was deep in the study of our visiting
list, and adding few cards to those al
ready sent out.
The next week was all whirl. Some
how did manage to push back my per-
sonality and give myself to my cousin.
The duties OF hospitality were pressing,
for we had hidden all our "dear five
hundred friends to tho wedding, and
to the reception afterward. I had es-
capped bridesmaid position by pleading
that of hostess; but was very busy, and
only at night could ! let my sorrow have
its way. How much had loved, how
perfectly had trusted Herbert, learned
in those days, when all my love and
trust seemed thrust back upon my own
heart. The last drop was added to my
cup of misery the very day before Lizzie's
wedding. Father came home earlier
than usual, and came to my room.
"Bessie, my dear" he said, ar heard
some news to-day that will como to you
sooner or later, and l thought could
tell it more kindly than any one ESQ.,"
ebert is married." thought, but I
could not speak the cruel words.
"Hcrbert Wilson has come back, my
dear, and taken q partnership in the firm
for which he has been travelling agent
for two years. lie had legacy, not
very large, but sufficient, with mis- own
value to the firm, to give him place.
He knows, my dear, that 1 only wanted
him to prove that he could take care OF
n wife, and he should have come to me
ut once, after what he has said, both to
you and to me. Bessie, it is hard
thing to say, but l am afraid he was
counting upon marrying you for my help.
ing hand in business. Now that he does
not need that-rhere, therefor 1
broke down at last-sdon't cry, dear; il
is better for you to know him as he is. ;"
Then he took me in his arms, my dear
father, and gave me such carcssing ten
derness as my mother might have done.
| had my cry out on his breast, aud then
/ faccd the truth, and knew l could
never be utterly miserable while my
father lived.
We agreed to say nothing to Lizzie,
and dressed her myself to go to church,
thinking no fairer bride had ever been
seen, nor one that was more carelessly
entering upon the new, solemn duties
ho nha A.