Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-09-24

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his nearest friend to recognize, him.
I He is thinking of old times row;
and, CHANGING To look into the mir
ror opposite, smiles at the brohzed,
bearded face revealed there as he
contrasts it with the smooth, boyish
one of ten years ago. lie is aroused
from his reyerie by the voice of his
companion, saying:
II say, Cary, have yoa seen the
new arrival young widow, with
no end OF fortune Worth look
ing aftr, | tell you. There she goes
now"
Kenneth glanced out of the win
dow in time to see a slender figure,
attired in deep mourning, pass by;
but her head is averted, and he does
net see her facs.
"Handsome too" continued his
friend. II got an introduction last
evening. I'll present you tonight. =
That evening Kenneth Carrie, for
by that name he is best known to
us, meets the young lady in the par
lor and is introduced to her.
"Mrs. Ashly, Mr.. Cary'o
The widow bows low, and softly
murmurs a few words of acknoNl-
edgement. Kenneth chances at her
face and draws a long breath of sur
prise, for beneath the dainty wild
owls cap he recognizes the blue
black hair, the dark grey eyes, the
piquant features of his old love
Grace Ellsworth.
"Shall / reveal myself to her ?" he
asks himself; and after a moments
hesitation decides he will not, for
the present at least. She does not
recognize him; let her know him on
ly as Ellis Cary.
The days pass by, and slowly the
conviction dawns upon him that he
is falling in love with Grace Ashly
over again. Yet, is it over again ?
Is it not the old love that he believ-
ed dead rising like a phoenix from
the ashes ? He cannot tell; he only
knows that she has grown very dear
to him, dearer than the maiden,
Grace Ellsworth had been.
AT last he determines to know his
fate, and, without revealing his
identity, he asks her to be his bride.
Grace's fair face does not flush, nor
does her eyes droop as she places her
hand in his and replies:
"Mr. Cary, let me tell you my
story, and then if you will claim me
will consent. Ten years ago met
Kenneth earle and loved him. He
was not wealthy, and in my desire
for riches [ cast him off for another
who | knew could give me every
thing my heart desired. Every
thing, did | say ? Oh, no he could
not give me happiness. Since his
death l have travelled from place to
place, until l came here and met
you. l can never love again. If
knowing this, you are willing to
make me your wife, l have nothing
more to say"
"And if this Kenneth earle should
return and ask you to marry him,
would you do it z" asked her COM
panion.
mo, no." replied Grace, sadly;
''that is impossible
1T is not impossible" Kenneth
says, passionately. Don't you
know me, Grace ?''
Grace looks up into his face with
a dazed expression. The resem-
blance has puzzled her, but it is all
clear now.
Eyes Kenneth, l know you now,"
she replies. Kenneth, after wrong
ing you so much, can you still love
me ?n
81 can and do, 'he replies. "Grace
my darling, is it yes 2"
He looks down into her pretty
face, with its flushed cheeks and
shyly dropping eyes, and there reads
! his answer.
And on the following September,
Grace dons the wedding robes for
the second time and ere the merry
bells have ceased pealing she has be-
come the bride of her first and only