Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-08-19

Va - ~
which the road winds, stands fac
ing Walter Crosbie and Sara, his
black-eyes, olive-brown counte-
nance fully visible 10 them both.
Under his dark moustache there
playes a bitter, cynical smile.
Sara utters a little scream of dis
may.
"How unexpected" she falters;
and then there Is a silence among
the trio, which lasts until Walter
Crosbie harshly breaks it.
"Very unexpected" he ex-
claims; s'and yet, after all, scarcely
inopportune. /, for one, am glad
that it has occurred. 1t gives me,
at least, the opportunity of asking
you, in Mr.. Curtis presence, Miss
Sara, how much longer you desire
that this absurd masquerade shall
continue. With whom-to make
a sort of epigram out of the situa-
ticn' (while ne laughs a low, dis
corded laugh)-"do you wish to
walk home with MI. Curtis or
myself?"
And then Ralph Curtis speaks
promptly:
81 echo Mr.. Crosbie's question"
Whereupon poor, weak Sara
bursts into tears.
"Please both go away" she muir
INJURED brokenly.
81 can walk home just as we'll
alone by myself"
Silence.
This time it is a silence that
Ralph Curtis ends.
"That is no answer, Miss Sara,
"Right,' states Walter Crosbie,
with stern emphasis. at is no
answer"
Ell can't help it," laments
Sara. "Please go-both of you"
Suddenly a fierce flash shoots
from the night-like eyes of Ralph.
"Let there be some decision" he
cafes, addressing Walter. eff
Miss Prescott will not make it
herself, it is for us to do So"
81 do not understand" replies
Walter.
Ralph draws near to him.
81 beg your PARDON" he COM
mences, speaking to Sara; and then
there follows between the two
men an inaudible whispered con-
ference which she, who witnesses
it, watches and wonders at. The
conference continues nearly five
minutes; and at last Ralph Curtis
turns toward Sara.
"Miss Prescott, MI. Crosbie and
1 have formed a compact together.
Do you see where yonder road
emerges from those clumps of
shrubbery ?"
EYES," answered the puzzled
girl, in right puzzled tones.
every we'll. We desire you to
wait here. We will disappear.
When you next see either of us it
will be as " advance toward you,
doubtless at fullest running speed
along that same road. One will
in all probability win the race
which we propose to run, but if it
proves a neck-and-neck race, then,
then"
"Then?" questions Sara, with
trembling voice.
"Then," Walter Crosbie here
breaks in, "you will walk home
alone. Do you quite understand,
Miss Sara ? Think, for a moment,
and l feel sure that furthersexpla-
nation will be useless"
.,I-I-have thought" quivers
Sara, ''and-and-I think l am
sure, indeed-that L understand"
"Very WE'LL" exclaimed Walter.
"Do you consent to such an ar
rangement, strange and wild as it
seems? Reflect for a moment be-
fore replying"
Sara covers her face. impulsive-
ly, with both hands, and remains
in this attitude for a brief while.
Then she uncovers her face again,
with an equal impulsiveness, and
cries out, in tones almost fierce
from intense excitement.
81 have reflected; and 1 con-
sent"
Sara is standing quite alone
now, in the clear, perfect moon
light. Around her CLEAN the
shadowy lawns, broken with their
| great, dusk masses of foliage. Her
eyes are fixed intently upon that
fragment of opposite road which
its skirting strawberries allow her
to see. She is MISUNDERSTANDING
with strained anxious ear, and
with every nerve on the Qui viue of
expectancy.
Presently there is the distinct
sound, at what seems a considera-
bic distance, of rapid, advancing
feet. Sara's eyes fairly dilate ,und