Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-12-24

come to no safe conclusion. vi
Duncan, his old friend, was in
trouble. They had played at keep
ing house when children; he had
called her little wife then, he be-
came ''her shadow" as Madame
beautifully observed. He even went
so far as to propose to her upon one
occasion and strove vainly, to feel,
that life no longer held an interest
for him, when with one of her ring
ing laughs she told him to ''hush his
nonsense" Later on, he met the
little fairy whom he had subsequent
ly made his wife, and then he be-
lieved that vi knew what she was
talking about when she had assured
him that she knew him better than
he did himself, for surely until now
he had never dreamed of the full
ness and the strength of love.
Now she came to him for help in
a dilemma, for proud, gay vi, had
learned to love at least, a very i'm
pecunious young man and failing to
gain her fathers consent to the
match, had determined to take the
matter in her own wilful young
hands and trust to time and her old
parents affection to set things all
right in the end.
"You must lend me some money,
Hugh. / can't ask papa, so you
must" she had said that morning,
while her stately old father cantered
on in front with young Mrs. Seyden
and they were left together.
81 must have it Hugh" she reit-
Grated, bringing her riding whip
down on her pony's flank to en-
phasize her words. "Pshaw, l was
sure you would understand, for l do
believe you love that pretty little
thing you have made your wife,"
"Love her ! l would die for her,
he calculated with a fervent glance
toward the little blue habited figure.
"Well, / wouldn't die for the best
man that breathed, but I'm bent up
on living with him-with a bright
husband how am | to do that with
a hundred miles of rail and my faith
er's prohibition between us ? Think
it over Hugh. l know you will not
refuse to help your old play fellow
Let me know tomorrow night.
Thereupon she joined her father and
so / have accounted to you for the
queer mood in which Hugh left his
fathers dinner-table on the day ia
question.
X X x X
II shall not finish my letter to
mamma until Tomorrow" said the
little bride to her husband when
they went to their rooms to dress on
the evening of the fete.
"And you will tell her with my
love, "said her husband, ''that you
are still uncertain whether your
husband is a trustworthy person or
not"
She laughed gleefully. 81 shall
tell her that I have found Sultan
Sohinamis' shirt of happiness, and
that l trust you fully !"
Then she ran away to don the
marvellous pink gown and pearls,
her husbands fairy-like wedding
gift.
"What a little beauty !" was the
verdict of the county, and the little
beauty, o~erhearing, felt the roses
glow in her cheek until a gentleman
mythologieally inclined, said she
made a charming an glowing edition
of a Bacchante, with her joyous
eyes and smiling countenance.
But there was another remark
overheard, and this time the bushes
paled somewhat, although the smile
did not relax. 1t was slightly scorn
full however, for this young Bac-
chante had a husband and she trust.
ed him. Madame Passie and her
companion were sitting on the hall
sofa and Mrs. Seyden's escort hav-
ing gone to the dining-room for an
ice for her, she awaited his return
in an angle of the stair case.
mo love like first love-" said
Madame Passie, and Mrs. Seyden
will believe always that she meant
to be overheard, for as l have told