West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-08-30
90, slr ann answer n,


conceited OF vain man, he hardly thought
her answer would be no
But their love seemed destined not To run
smoothly, for the note that would have
made Maud 50 happy never reached her
and this is how it happened The aforesaid
small boy having received the box, pro-
ceeded to carry il in the way boys invaria-
bly, do, swinging it from side u side, wrong
side up or any other way, il made no diff
ference. OF course this one came 20 grief
accordingly. Having one finger In the
string tied arQund the box. lac was swing
ing 1t To the best of his ability, at the same
time gazing in open-mouthed admiration at
a boy about his size who was pommelng
one several degrees smaller ou the opposite
side of the street Being occupied in look
ing at them, he did not see the ice on the
walk, and consequently came down with a
force that brought tears TO his eyes
Having sat there a moment rubbing his
head with AN injured expression of coun-
tenancc, he gathered himself up and limped
along to pick up the box. Now the string
had slipped off the box, when Johnnie sat
down with such force, and the poor little
violets slid of the walk into the gutter.
while the note, lying against the snow did
not attract his attention. Taking up the
bouquet of flowers, lac deposited them i'm
them in the box, and tying the string Sc
curely round it, started of at good round
pace, arriving at Mrs Evans door without
any further calamity Detailing him.
young man VINO was talking with some
one had seen Johnnie's fall, aud cspicd tie
note. Picking it mp, he called to Johnnie:
but as that youths heels were Just disap-
pearing around the corner he did not hear.
The young man, thrusting the note i'm his
pocket, forgot all about il, being in a great
hurry To catch the traiu, with only five min
ntes left in which TO reach the depot.
len o'clock saw Frauk making his wav
through Judge BIS lighted parlors.
Looking eagerly, he espied Maud surround
ed as usual 10y crowd, for she had many
admirers beside the young lawyer. lie
could catch glimpse of her now and then.
SO, standing quietly, hc waited till the crowd
parted and he was able 10 see her plainly.
Looking, he could see no violets hc rubbed
his eyes ana looked again but il did not
improve his vision there were certainly no
violets in the bonny brown haIr
He stood there, feeling himself grow
white and cold, till he was conscious that
his face would tell strange tales if anyone
accosted him. Turning, he left the room.
going out on the vcranda. and there sat and
fought the bitter fight out. 4 less manly
man would have blamed Maud, would have
accused her of leading hm ON for her own
amusement; but ne loved her too well.
lie alone was y blame he had thought il
was love hc read in the brown eyes raised
so slyly to his if she did not love him. that
was enough he would never make her un-
happy by alluding TO it, but would try and
be unseIiish enough to be happy when he
saw her 50 in some other mans love.
After time he went back TO the parlors.
knowing he should be questioned as to his
non-appearance if he did not
Now Maud had seen Frank when he en-
tered the rooms first, and missed him when
ne disappeared, wondering what had be
come of him. When he entered the par
lors again, she stood talking with some one.
Looking at her as he passed, he said.
"Good-evening, ," and quietly passed on 10
where Miss FentOn stVOu, and Maud heard
him ask her TO dance
Annie Fenton was a sunny little blonde.
and Frank had paid her more attention
than anyone else except Maud And now.
when She she saw them together, she thought,
what if, after all, he does not love me
lie has acted strangely this evening. Pos
Ably he IS in love with Annie FcntOn II
would be nothing strange if he were. Men
are ever tickle and changcable, " with a bit
ter smile, and the wisdom of her eighteen
years. ''NOt even 20 give me an oppor-
tunity 90 thank him for his flowers But
he seems completely infatuated with Annie
Fenton,' looking at Frank who was bend
ing i'm seeming devotion over the little
blondes chair "But | will show him /
can be as gay as he he shall never know [
love him.
So Maud danced and hirtcd, tim Won
would have thought she was the happlcst
of the happy bat pride will do much. and
pride upheld Maud till the weary party was
at an end.
After that, Frank avoided every place
where nc was likely TO meet Maud. and be
came morosc and melancholy. As for
Maud, she went out as usual. but went i'm a
listless fashion that had become habituaI fo
her now, causing her mother much anxiety.
But If Maud was miserable. Frank was
no less so, though ne, having more to occu-
py his attention, did not feel 10 as kccnly as
she. Still, he was not feeling I'm "a very
cheerful mood, one morning. ~ hc sat in
his office, looking iptcn0y at the fire. and
pulling at his cigar like a whole volcano.
when suddenly the door was thrown open.
and IN rushed the stranger who had picked
uD The lost note
"And how are you l' hc inquired Selling
Frank g hand and shaking 10 heartily.
First rate, replied Frank "Whcn did
you get back
'Oh, this morning thought ! would
drop in and see how you were seems fo
me you arc not looking remarkably ioUv
what 3 The trouble Lost your money or
has some one left you ont Of his win. or ="
with laugh, looking at his friends gloomy
face 'has some one refused You Come.
] guess I'VE hit it This time, hc said. as his
friends face slightly flushed "You were
rather sweet on Miss Evans when left.
You may rs well own mp she has refused
you
Frank was naturally of q rcticcnt nature.
but he never could Withstand Tom Torimer
Why, he and Tom bad known each other
since the time they wore roundabout lack
ets-had helped each other out of innumer
able boy scupos had been room mates af
college, and after graduating, had settled ip
the same place What NOT coufdr I'm
Tom 10 would bc treason 20 the cause of
friendship
So in answer to Toms question If Maud
had refused him. hc answered that che had
relating the manner in which the proposal
had been made