Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-12-31

GluS Olln SOuue LILIES u D6tCH-
haven-a favorite objective point fol
both pedestrian and equestrian ex.
cursi0ns. 1t was rather a remark
able and picturesque eminence, slop
ing gradually on n side and easy
of access, but when the summit wa
attained it overlooked a perpendicu-
lar descent of many feet down tx
where the fields spread far beneath
and a babbling, willowy brook, the
water from which turned the village
mill, glided in and out among the
rocks.
Harwood, standing on the rocks.
hadrepeated Longfellow's Bridge
and after admiring for a time the
varied scenery of the place the party
started on its return homeward
Their horses were splendid animals,
and they cantered away in silence
over the upland toward the rising
moon, just appearing over the gray
church-tOwer of Beechhaven.
Refining in his horse to a walk as
they fell somewhat behind the party,
HARDWOOD spoke, saying: "Mary there
are moments given to us mortals,
which have less of earth in them
than heaven, and they come to us
all sometimes, it matters not what
our daily life end practice may be-"
"Yes, and we are the better for
such moments; they come asian oasis
in the arid desert OF deceit and folly
in life, and are as refreshing as rain
from the clouds of summer she
replied.
"Just as we meet some persons"
he continued, ''and feel that there is
something gained from knowing
them, we are stronger and better
able to bear life's burdens.n
BY this time they had reached the
house, and, d~ismounting, they walk
ed up the avenue. As they reached
the steps of the piazza, Harwood
suddenly ceased the gay story he
was relating and turning to her
said, quietly: "Mary, do you, can
you, love me ?"
She laughingly retorted: "I'll put
that question to you, Sir knight.
You ask me first to declare my love
before offering your own. Man-like
presumption! And, woman-like, Ill
answer your question by asking an
other"
He threw back his head, laughing
ly, at this ridiculous position, but
being thoroughly in earnest this did
not stop him, and he went on:
"Mary, you know | love you. Yes,
l have fondly loved you for a long
time, but you never allowed me to
tell you. l wonder now at my eff
frontery after all your wet-blanket
remarks c%oncerningS 'spohns' and
'spooning expressions your con-
tempt for eternal devotion and
marked preference for firm friend
ships I've dared for the first and
last time to speak out"
"Ha! ha !" she laughed, tossing
her %nut-brown hair, and mercilessly
whipping to atoms the red and white
roses which he had plucked for her
but Il few hours before.
Il cease to be surprised at any
thing you say. A man who begins
by asking me ii 1 love him, next
laughs over it, and lastly declares it
it is the first and last time
They often had these passages at
arms" and she usually triumphed,
but despite her propensity for bad
image and She really loved
him The bright face softened, the
misty eyes met his and the low voice
continued:
Harry, | love you!"
AL that June night those words
rang in his ears, and he repeated
them over and over again, 81 love
YOU'D Next morning they walked
together to the old stile, as he was
leaving, and they had never met
since.
n X X y
What did it all mean? She did
not understand as she read a note
from Harwood.
"A firm friendship" he had not
asked for and did not desire. But
soon her woman's pride solved the
enigma. 1t was a very transparent
method he had taken to terminate
the relation existing between them,
and so far as she was concerned, 1t
should be as effective as though the
| seas rolled between them.
He asked the meaning.
She simply wrote in reply: 81
meant just what | said, sir; and | do
not think it necessary for you to
draw upon your imagination to fully
comprehend it,"
At least she stood even. She was
not so gullible as he had imagined,
and returning with the note his let
tiers and a dainty solitaire, she closed
that book in her life's history and
sealed it. If, in her thoughts, she
ever referred to it, it was only as
her folly"
She was as much admired as ever
for her brilliancy and sparkling wit,
but her cutting sarcasm nipped in
the bud any tender passion which
sought to betray itself among her