Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1896-01-31


before. And all who witnessed this
attempt OF hers were wonder-struck
by the extraordinary powers of fas-
cination which she could discover at
VIII. Poor little Bob's simple, CON-
monplace talk stood no chance against
the new and attractive brilliancy of
Alice's conversation. Armleigh list
ened to her with delight. He was
clearly impressed. An intellectual
man himself, he could app eciate in
tellectual talk, especially when il was
set off by a sweet and musical voice.
Then, too, the whole expression OF her
face seemed changed. The calm i'm.
mobility, which usually had graced it,
was there no longer. It had given way
to n new and radiant vivacity. In her
/ eyes, when she addressed Armleigh.
shone a brilliant something, which
! almost looked like a challenge. To
meet that look from such quar-
ter, and not 10 feel the pulse quicken
and the heart leap, would have de-
marded superhuman restraint. Ronald
Armleigh had many fine qualities, but
restraint of this description was not
/
fascinated by this new development in
Alice's charms.
What ''people" say is not always of
much moment. They are given to
speaking without knowledge and eriti-
cising without judgment. But what
people said upon this particular
matter did have some groundwork Of
reason and good sense. They asserted
that if Alice Baines had taken this line
IN the first instance, nobody could
have found fault with her. 1t would
then have resolved itself into
contest between the two sisters for
n prize to which neither had greater
claim than tho other. But to have
no pains originally to strengthen her
hold upon Armleigh, to have let her
childish sisters affections becomed deep
ly engaged with him, and then, when
he was on the point Of making that
childish sister happy by a declaration,
to use every effort to draw him back
to herselt-at tho risk of wrecking
poor Bob's happiness, and, perhaps,
breaking her heart-why, this was as
cruel thing as jealousy, in its most
extreme form, could devise. Such
conduct toward friend would have
been odious; toward a sister it was
shameful, objectionable. Heaven
grant the effect might meet with that
failure which it handsomely merited
Heaven, however, did not grant it.
The effort proved successful. Bob's
white face and miserable expression
/ betrayed that, loug before Armleigh's
! engagement to Alice was announced.
/ Bob's little dream of happiness was
over. Alice had dissipated it finally
and forever. But twas not merely
the loss of her lover. though this was
chief, but also her sisters conduct in
/ the matter, which cut Bob to the
heart. Until this unhappy affair, Bob
had experienced nothing save the ten
, derest kindness, the most carcssS--r..
> ay9 nom Alice. And thep-<on q
Alaen-to be 50 treated by aer. Il was
..s.m--a---s 4SorSi2le % it was un.
I natural and cruel.
Only once had Bob ventured on n
timid remonstrance. Alice had an
swered her thus, hardly, and almost
with scorn:
"Why were you not happy and con-
/ tent with Gerald Gerald is far mora
suited TO you tn i Ronald Armleigh.
You would never have made Ronald
happy"
Bob had burst into tears at this un-
feeling retort, and, without apology or
any attempt at solace, Alice had left
the room. No other word on the sub
iect passed between them.
The Gerald of whom Alice had
spoken was an old admirer of childish
Bob's, and, until Armleigh's appear
ance, had been that young lady's first
favorite. He lacked all Armleigh's
brilllance OF manner and distinction
of bearing. AS love maker he was
has hopeless inferior. Many people
called him stupid. That he was not
If rather slow Of speech and silent of
temperament he had plenty of good
sound sense, and, withal, possessed a
kind. true heart d,loyal disposition,
which far outweighed ms external dis
qualifications. Everyone could see
that he was devoted to Bob. Bobhad
liked, had even been very fond of him.
She might, perhaps. have thought that
she loved him, had not Ronald Arm
leigh taught her what love really was.
But now her eyes were opened. She
knew love now. She knew, also-how
many have known it thus?-that with
the loss of her beloved had gone from
her the capacity OF that first sweet
sentiment; that It's sublime inspira.
tions, its deep intensity, its pure de-
light, would never throb in her quick.
ened pulses again.
Bob did not feel bitter against her
sister. She scarcely felt indignant |;
she was simply crushed and broken.
All who saw her hollow eyes, her sad
face. her dispirited bearing, were
struck with pity for the poor child.
Alice alone remained obdurate. and.
so far as could be seen, unfeeling. 1t
was unlike what Alice had ever been
before. until this miserable affair. But
her obduracy was easily explained.
Those Of US who have wronged orr
dear ones arc the last to betray pitv
fOr them In their sufferipos. For tbosa