Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-10-22
MISCELLAN NUS.
From the New York Mercury. !
ACCOUNTABLE.
EY GEORGE MARTIAL.

first observed Edith Lawton's preference
at picnic. She had been flirting with Jack
West-shaiIow, but taking fellow, you
know. The day was warm. aud was bored
| was looking at Jack and Miss Lawton, won
deriug what was the tun of Irritation
All of L sudden, MIR. Naples" said Edith,
will You give me your arm Z"
l was astonshed, but | thought nothing
about it specially; gave her my arm, Of
course. She Leaned GU it aud looked up in
my face
she said. and her manner was positively ten
der Why did you stand away there by
yourself?"
l don't know what said An appalling
thought had occurred to me. Girls do fancy
men sometimes, You know, without any PROV
ocatIun, and then what can u fellow do -
\ woman can send man off if she don't
like hrm. but man has got to be gallant and
gert!emlnly; and then girls are such ner>
vouS creatures and drown themselves | de-
clare. all the way down the hill, | was think
ing how an account Of an inquest on the body
of Edith Lawton would read: : Pound
drowmed-a beautiful young girl, age nine
teen, black hair, large black eyes, splendid
colUr-nO, she wouldn't have any color
dressed in white, ct course willow wreath,
for all | know; paper pinned fast in her
pocket, saying:
Whoever may find this is earnestly en-
treated to forward it to William Naples. No
ll.G15 Twenty-third street, New York;
Inside i; would read something like this:
'DEAGEsT-In the awful presence of
Death, cOnvemtiouality must give way, and
for the first and last time in my life, | ad-
dress YOU 10y that endearing title, that al
ways gave You in my heart. Farewell -
Your indifference has made life worthless to
me. On YOU rests all the blame Of this rash
act. EBITU"
Pleasant subject Of meditation wasn't it
just think Of the responsibility; and the
more ] thought OF it, the more | was con-
WINGED that Edith was just the kind of girl
to do such a thing! One Of your girls that
is afraid of nothing! \ young lady once
asked NE if did not find it inconveuient to
be very fascinating, ond modcsty prevent
ed me from replying; but here | can state
the truth and declare that have often wished
that had been as ugly aud unnteresting as
some Of my sex, who no doubt regard me
with envy. To come back, however:
"Mr. Naples" said Edith ''how silent YOU
are | do believe you are in love"
/ was hOrror-stricken. thought she was
going TO lead the way to an avOwal of her
own feelings at once.
Not at all l answered briskIy; q have
never been III love, and never mean to be-"
DO you think that is matter within your
control ~ asked Edith and | am sure she
sighed
1T has been, SO far" was brute enough
to answer.
Miss Lawton looked at me in surprise and
then over her shoulder ut Jack West, who
followed. but made no effort to join us
Mr.. Naples, want you to sit by me in
tic boat she said very low.
! might have pleaded another engagement,
bu; | was So surprised that forgot to say
anything. When we were in the boat, Miss
l.awton would have me put the shawl about
her then had not folded it right; then |
put it on roughly, and must take it off and
learn to do better. Somehow my stern reso-
lutiop to cure Edith of her folly by pitiless
GOODNESS vanished. What is Il man to do, with
a handsome laughing face looking up in his.
and two little white hands ever and anon
touching his own, but smile ? Edith was not
exactly my style, but she was good pretty
girl: and, after all, what right had u fellow
to be so very critical?
On our way home, Edith asked me to 90
with her that evening to see Mary Ellis, aud
| consented, though might easily have plead
ed previous engagement. 1t was not alto
gctEcr disagreeable, and then had a feeling
of resignation about it.
At Miss Ellis's house we found Jack West,
looking gloomy. lie had no lady with him,
and he nodded at us very cody Turning to
speak to Edith, l discovered that she was very
pale.
She was little faint, she said. I ran. of
course, for water and smelling bottle and it
struck me that Edith had never haaD 50 oL,r,,,
ing. Helpless Low eness had always been nv
idol began to be more than grateful to
this sweet girl who so artIcssly manifested her
preference for me.
Jack brought her some water, but she
would not even pretend to see him.
'Mr. Naples, that glass, if you please" she
said. with her sweetest smile
Miss Lawton recovered from her fainting
ft and was as gay ever; but for inc, be-
gan to consider my position serious. OF