Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-11-05
AUTUMN LEAVES .
BY GUINEvERE.

girls red lips, and her black eyes
rested earnestly on the face of the
man before her. Harold Trenton
stopped and kissed her.
"Of course l WILL" he answered.
"Do you doubt me, Rubie 20
Rubie's slender fingers toyed ner-
vously with her crimson scarf, and
her eyes dropped.
81 thought you might for-forget
me-" she faltered, "there are so
many fair ladies'"
"None fairer than yourself" in
terrupted Harold.
"And l am poor girl" she add
ed; "but," with sudden passion and
a kindling of her dark eyes, "you
won't Harold; promise me you
wont ~
The young man laughed careless
ly.
81 PROMISE he said.
"And you will write often ~ Ru-
bic asked.
every week." was the prompt re-
ply. "And now, good-by, my little
love, must go. Good-by."
He kissed her smooth cheeks and
quivering lips; then turning, walked
slowly down the woodland path.
Rubie Aston stood motionless for
a moment, then sprang after him,
and laid a OBTAINING hand on his
arm.
ooh, Harold" she said, cit is SO
hard to let you go. Must you go !?
Can't you stay here %
"No, Rubie, it is impossible"
Harold answered. "Be calm, darl-
ing, for your entreaties pain me-"
"Tell me, at least, when you will
return ?" asked the young girl.
Harold Trenton glanced around
him; he saw the surrounding foliage
glowing with the brilliant hues of
autumn, and the loose leaves whirl-
ing in the sportive breeze. AS he
looked, a stray leaf, magniicently
colored, huttered to his feet, and
STOPPING he raised it in his daintily-
gloved hand, and rendered it to the
young girl beside him.
"When nature next decks these
woods with colors like that, 1 will
come," he said.
Once more he kissed her aud babe
farewell; then he was gone. Once
he paused and looked behind him.
Rubie was standing where he had
left her, her lustrous black eyes fol-
lowing his retreating form.
He viewed the scene as one would
view a charming, bright-colored
picture. The gorgeous autumnal
woods; the dainty, girlish figure
standing in it's midst; the dark bril-
liant face which the rays of the set
ting sun, cleaning through the foil
age, illumined with rosy glory; the
quaint, bright-hued costume; the
crimson scarf fluttering in the even
ing breeze, aud the appraised hand,
holding in it's clasp the autumn
leaf.
1t was charming, harmonious
scene, and Harold Trenton, with
the soul of an artist, appreciated it
fully. He fingered an instant as
though 10th to turn his back upon
it. Then Rubie bent forward and
waved her scarf, and the spell was
broken.
\ moment later his form vanish
ed from the sight Of tie watcher,
and with IA saddened face she wend-
ed her way homeward.
The days passed by-long, weary
days to Rubie, who watched and
waited for the forest trees to again
deck themselves in colors correspond
ing with her cherished leaf.
Harold's letters came frequently
at first, then suddenly ceased.
Was he dead or false Rubie
could not realize the one, and would
not believe the other.
Autumn came once more, bright,
glorious autumn, and one day Rubie
took out her precious leaf from its
hiding place and compared it with
one that was fresh from the woods.
1t looked withered and dull, the
bright colors had faded, and Rubie
sighed as she thought what a per-