Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-11-13

unu TIC COu5C4 0G1SO Woo th0s
Chauncey had asked the girl to
marry him and she had not said
him nay.
In all the wide world there was
not happier, prouder man than
Ralph Cnauncey as he paced the
piazza of his home that warm
July night.
Two hours before he had fair
Christie in his arms, as he bade
her good night at her father g
home in the city, and the remem-
brance of her::kiss, light and dewy,
as the touch of a flower, fingered
warm with him.
II will be so good-so good to
her y he was thinking rapturous-
ly. "She shall have everything
in the world she wants-there
shall not be a wish unqualified
that ] can hear her express or
imagine she thinks. My bright,
bonny little darling. she has flood
ed my grave, quiet life with such
blessed sunshine My little Chris
tie! / wonder how it ever, ever
came to pass that she could care
for me?'
1t certainly did seem somewhat
strange, when a purely disinter-
ested party took it into considera-
ton. Christie Layne, young
twenty or more years younger
than he; she was radiantly beau
tiful, gay and girlish, while her
betrothed was grave, quiet, al
most retiring in his disposition,
and possessing very few claims to
being considered a good-looking
man.
But he was so thoroughly good.
He was as gentle as a woman, yet
every whit manly and resolute in
| whatever he did or said; and with
a might and force that sometimes
half amazed himself, he loved the
girl who had promised to be his
| wife, who had let him clasp her
to his heart. and received his ar
dent kissing on her smiling
mouth.
Yes. he was happy-undeniably
| happy; and into that rapturous
peace, that brooded like blessing
over him, a friend of his entered,
that same summer night-St Ell
mo, honest and true, and sarcastic
and plain-spoken, but his out and
out freeness Of speech had never
touched Chauncey until this occa-
sion, when so very apturally,
| Christie's name was mentioned.
| 81 haven't said anything about
| your engagement, for l didn't
really think 1t would amount to
MUCH" st. Elmo said, in his Off
hand way.
Didn't think 1t would amount
TO much - Chauncey repeated, in
sort of amazed, mechanical way.
mo, / thought ii wouldn't and
hoped the same. I don't approve
of it by any means, Ralph. That
girl don't care straw for YOU"
| Chauncey looked at him in as
constituent for a second, then a
slow red stain came in his face.
"That sounds rather rough, old
fellow. Don't forget it is sacred
| subject to me-"
"Stuff and nonsense! It's a SUBJ
ject that can't be too highly il
Illuminated with all the common
sense that can be brought to bear.
l tell you you are in love till you
are blind as a bat, and 1 shall do
my duty to you. That pretty lit
lie girl doesn't care that for you.
Ralph; and / hate to see you make
| such an Idol of yourself"
"See here, st. Elmo'-and
Chauncey's low, cool voice was
ominously low and cool, despite
its impatience-''you must not ex-
pect that / will permit any one
to speak so of my affairs. YOU"
Don't get obstreperous, Ralph !
I've known you. boy and man,
a-many year. and you don't sup
pose do you, I'll shut my eyes and
mouth when see you allowing
yourself TO be married for your
money, and nothing but your
money? Just another minute,
Ralph. Let me say my say, and
l swear it Is my first and last say
on the subject; but subtract your
fortune, your fine house, your
horses, your servants-and pretty
Miss Christie would give you the
go by! Try ito prove my
TRUTH"
Chauncy had listened with a
visable effort .t
"Afier this l decline any inter-
ference or advice on the subject of
my marriage. Have cigar,
Sanity? / conscientiously recon-
mend them-L'Espaueros brand,
imported them myself
And st. Elmo, having had his
say, was silent forever, while
Chauncy. in his perfect love and