Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-01-15
HIS ROMANCE.

IL was two years since Joe Bentley
had left his home in quiet little Ohio
town to seek his fortune in the west.
For two years each working day had
found him at his desk in large mrr.
camille house in Chicago. lie had been
fortunate in securing position nj once.
through brother of his town postmus.
ter, who was now chief clerk in the Of
flee. Joe will never forget those two
years--lonesome two yenrs they were.
the more lonesome, perhaps, because he
had never been away from horne and
nmong strangers befoia..
When he first came TO Chlr ,go the
worlds fair and other attractions made
the city wonderful place for the coun-
try boy, but these soon pnied or PASSED
away, and the loneliness settled upou
him as he felt himself n stranger in
strange land.
For time he attended church. as had
been his habit at home. but they were
such large plnces, aud the congregn.
ton and young folks dressed and acted
70 differently from the church folk "a;
home that he finally got in the habit
q
town ncqnnintanccs. the companion-
ship OF his sisters and brothers and the
bright smile of Cousin Fan. who use.l
TO pop In so unexpectedly and leave
such volume of sunshine behind her
when her father would come to town to
do his marketing. The girls with
whom some of his fellow clerks associ-
nted. and with whom they tried 10 make
him at home. somehow failed to llI the
bill. Somehow it didn't seem right for
the fellows TO greet them on the street
with familiar slap on ile shoulder
and Hello, Kit. old girl. how yon is?"
and in spite of himself lie felt too much
of an aversion to them to enjoy himself
or make himself entertaining. and
dropped them.
At last change came-grndpa,ly. to
he sure, 80 slowly that Joe hardly
| knew there had been a change till Il
vas there. For several days the seat
Mt the opposite end OF the table In the
restaurant where Joe ate lunch had
been occupied 10y modest-nppearing
little woman. whose long lashcs fr:ngcd
lie darkest OF blue cyes. and who's"
slightly pouting lips and rounded
which can never be duplicntcd by nrt
md which only country air can give.
The next day she was in the same seat.
and the next and the next. and Joe soon
came to look forward. nnthingipgly. tn
see the bright face of the unknown.
One day the chair was vncnnt. and
Joe. with sense Of deep d:sappoini-
nent. knew why ii was lie looked for
ward so eagerly to the MONDAY r,ea!
The next noont;me he took particular
pains with his toilet and was so i'm.
patient that he was Mt the table fvc
minutes before his accustomed time
She was not there. and his heart sank
y minute later It bounded again as br|
saw the well-known figure coming dow,
The aisle. As she pulled back her cl:n'r
preparatory to taking her seat. some
! how or other. Joe never quite knew how
IT happened. the big blue eyes fasheA
for moment into his ard I've waa ol
his feet, blushing and bowling
This was the beginning. md IL lc
came customary TO bow. latcr to sit sid.
by side and talk during Iurch. nrd. IL
time permitted. to wink Wit, her ns fai
: rs the Monalnock building. where sl,,
was employed. lie had rainly tried (,
discover her name. but when he hn,
naiveiy informed her that il was avk
ward 10 call her Say" she had uskct
him to call her simply Miss Margaret
,, adding That this was what she was most
, generally called and was most nc
custoined to.
This went on for several weeks and
Joe had several fines been on the vcrgp
of asking for her address. that lie might
call. or asking her.t to accomrany hin,
to the thcoter. but lie kept delaying. fear
ing that he might rupture the growing
friendship ard be left rpail, TO himsel.
and the lonesomeness OF feeling TINT he
knew almost 60 enc.
One noontine land Joe will aiuayi
remember iD she was net il her nccns.
toned riacc. although thc day before
she lad been Specializing what tic hill
! of fare would be. Ile ate us slowly as
he could and spent his whole noon hour
in the restaurant. hui WHOM nc left the
chair was still vacant. Tie npxi ,ny
fhe same experiences Tie rcprcachcd
himself for not findirG out more about
i,er-perhaps she was s.c's or lad met
! with an accident. Atany ratc s,rlsner