Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-05-21
A W.-tai LIES Warning.

"A SeUsAtlNP, cuAI MiHs lACos
with eyes of heavens own blue;
hair which cleaned sunshine
above a low, broad forehead; a
tall, lissome figure, with a certain
proud grace ofcarriage all its own
such was Lillian Armstrong
when first / saw her.
She had just come home from
boarding school; and was but sew
enteen; yet there and then Though
she knew it not | lost my heart
to her. But / was poor, and be-
fore long was to leave America
for an indefinite period of time,
having accepted q position in the
East Indies; and SO / set seal
upon my lips, sand though in weeks
that followed met her frequent
~, and we .became very good
friends, / said "good-by" without
disclosing to Lillian how deeply
her image had imprinted itself in
my heart.
"It would be wrong" l said to
myself, "to disturb her maiden
unconsciousness by tales of love
when it might DO years before l
could even think of marrying"
Two years passed, and news
came to me that Lillian was en-
gagged to be married, and that her
betrothed was Merwin Ransome,
my own cousin.
When three more years had
gone by, and, prospered In bust
ness beyond my most sanguine
expectations, | was enabled to re-
turn to my native land, this was
the story that met me: Merwin,
my handsome, talented cousin, was
dying, and it was the falseness of
the one he loved that had caused
the fatal illness from " hich the
doctor had declared recovery i'm
possible.
/ fastened Immediately to him:
but he was delirious and knew
me not.
AS I stood looking down upon
his changed form, which / re-
membered SO full of life and Wig
or, indignant thoughts filled my
mind.
/ met Lillian frequently as the
days went by, but did not seek to
speak to her. In my bitter anger
at her cruel trsachery towards my
poor cousin avoided her as much
rs possible. But one day through
accident, at friends house we
were thrown together. She SEEM
ed to hesitate q moment as she
read the cold aversion in my face,
then coming 10 my side, she laid
her little hand gently upon my
arm.
Once its touch would have thrill
ed me to my hearts core, but not
now. My faith and trust in her
was gone.
"Nr. Waite" she said softly,
"we were good friends once.
Have / offended you in any way?'
Miss Armstrong" l replied,
81 must speak what is in my
thoughts. Once l deemed you
pure and noble, worthy of the ho-
ly title of "woman'-now / can
only call you by the despicable
name Of "coquetts."
"Shs gazsd into my face for a
moment with an incredulous look
as if striving to understand what
/ had said; then her face grew
pale and proud.
II see," she said, 81 have been
judged without a chance of self de-
fence. So be it, have no reply
to make to your unkind unmsrit-
ed accusation"
At the sound of her sweet voice,
the old madness came back to me,
and in that na omsnt realized that
even though ] thought her un-
worthy / loved her still.
But strong in manhood-in my
abhorsDce of the wrong she had
done, / crushed back the impulse
10 speak and soften my cutting
words. .-,----
A week later the delirium which
had held Merwiu in Its chains left
him, although we could all see
that the end was drawing near.
Then for the frst time he knew
me.
$50, Harold, old fellow, you
have come home You little ex-
pec.ed to find me in this way I"
AS / grasped his hand, too much
affected 10 speak, he went on Gag
erly:
Harold, for friendships sake
will you take message from me
to Lillian :? / must see her again
before die. OF course you know
of my broken engagement ?"
81 could not resist the impulse
to say in answer:
eyes, Merwir, have heard tho
story of your engagement, and /
wonder that you can forgive and
wish TO see the woman whose