Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-03-13

beiide them If their needs exceed
The stiI ulations of their agree,
meIt. All the attention they con.
tracted for they receive, bur not
one iota more.
Ada highly approves Of Han.
nah's independent proceedings,
keeps herself entirely aloof from
the 'intruders," as she calls them,
her sole intercourse with them be-
ing the slightest and haugh,iest oil
bows when they chance TO meet
on the staircase or in the hall.
The Misses Frimp do not make
a very heightened sojourn at Fair
shore. After a stay of few weeks
they took their departure. How
ever, the vacancy is soon filled up.
This time the dodgers are quite
"another ilk." They are young
people who have been married
about three years. Mrs. Beau
champ is in the last stage of con-
sumption. She is a fair, fragile
creature, with pale golden hair
and pensive blue eyes. She is
somewhat older than her husband,
to who she is passionately attach
ed. He, on his part, is most at
tentive 10 her, studying her every
wish, anticipating her every want
and sacrificing his own desires
should they interfere, with her re-
quirements
They win Hannah s heart, She
waits upon them untiredly, and
concocts all sorts of dainty dishes
to tempt the invalid's dainty APP
petite.
"Such sweet lady she is; and
as for him, he's the incest and
handsomest gentleman | ever set
eyes on"
This is her verdict upon them.
They deeply interested Mrs.
Chantry-the poor wife. with the
signs of nearly approaching death
written Enthusiastically on her
pure, lovely face; and the young
husband so self-sacrificing, so self
forgetful. Many excuses does she
make 10 go and sit and chat with
them; and often does she propose
that Mr.. Beauchamp should go
and walk awhile, and she will
keep his wife company during his
absence; not often does he take
advantage of her offer. He glances
at his wife, and though her lips
say go" her eyes say Stay
and he stays. M IL
Ada, who is gifted with fine,
keen perceptions, speedily diyines
what her mother and Hannah fail
to perceive, namely, that there is
some lacking in Mr.. Beauchamp's
feeling toward his wife.
"He is very good to her, very
patient with her," she soliloquizes,
standing at her bedroom window
staring out at the moon-streaked
sea; 'but no, he does not love her;
not, / mean, as she loves him. He
is fond of her in a mild, brotherly
fashion; but he does not love her
as husbands ought to love their
wives-as my husband must love
me if ever l marry. No, he does
not; and wonder why he mar
rien her,
The days pass away, and each
as goes leaves Lille Beauchamp
weaker. She has taken q wonder
full fancy to Ada. and likes TO have
her near her. There is a bright
pacc and ct,pns =, oco q hO,.f hnr that
seems to come like whiff5 of fresh
air into the sick room; and Ada,
whose womanly pity, is all arous-
ed by the sight of the thin face
and wasted form Is ready at all
times to render every service in
her power. She forgets her pride,
she remembers not their relative
positions; she Is simply the tender
nurse, the watchful attendant.
There comes day at last when
Lille smiles pitifully up from her
pillows. and says, with tremble
in her voice; ~
Il don't think | will get up to-
day. / don't feel quite well
enough"
Ada chOkes back lump in her
throat and responds, cheerfully:
Don't you, dear? Ali well,
you'll feel better tomorrow"
But Lille gives a pathetic shake
of the head, and two large tears
roll slowly down her cheeks.
Ada makes no remark, but
busieS herself In arranging the
bed-clothes and smoothing the
pillows.
Presently Lille taxes her plump
white hand between her two
wasted ones.
"You have been so good and
kind to me" she murmurs. ooh!
what should / do without you?"
Hush! hush - interrupted
Ada. II am not good and kind at
n l. n n. -