Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-01-15
A Dangerous Experiment

might be, fer their feminine love-
illness. A trying position, certain
ly, yet one which it would be do
ing Jack Harrington grievous in
Justice not to acknowledge that he
took to it most kindly.
A trying position, even when
the latest fashion, the newest
thing in hats, the last couture, is
being discussed; but doubly try
ing when four feminine tongues
are waxing both shril and elo-
quent, 10 The utter drowning of
any bass notes-one Of the tongues
in question belonging to thefdace
of the poor martyr, and the sub
ject- another man
Yet again nay patty betrays
poor Mr. Harrington into the in
justice against which | have just
been striving 10 protect him. If
all the martyrs went TO the stake
with such kindly smiling faces,
surely our pity has been utterly
thrown away, Tney might bet
ter bsstow it upon US, so Jack
doubtless thinks-we might be-
stow it upon the "other man.
"a regular heart annihiIator,
my dear!" exclaimed little Ella
Burrell, addressing them all piu-
rally by the singular adjective
They say the walls of his room
are literally lined with his tro-
phies-a picture here, slipper
there, glove somewhere else,each
suggestive of battle and victo-
ry. Doubtless over his doorway
he has metaphorically inscribed,
"See the conquering hero comes"
and permits no one to cross the
threshold, lest the mantle of fame
should fall on undeserving shout
ders ~
Peals of laughter greeted this
last sally, in which Jack Joined,
murmuring the air of the verse
suggested.
"But it's all true" broke ia
Agnes Wait; tits no use trying
to resist him. Each one in turn
thinks. up to the time of meeting
her, it has been mere pastime: it
has been left for her to subjugate
the invincible. My sisters, be-
ware! It's a dangerous exper-
ment."
Nevertheless, 1 should like to
try it," said another voice, almost
as though the words had burst
from the speaker without consci-
BUSINESS or volition of her own.
"You!' exclaimed the three
other voices, in one breath.
The masculine tones were silent,
but his eyes had turned with the
others in the direction of the dar-
ing speaker, and in. their depths
was a sort of panied surprise.
eyes, - she retorled, with q
musical little laugh. "Why not?"
"What does Jack say?" said
one of three. "He is here to an
swer for himself. Why should he
care? Jack, may | tlirt just lit
tie with General Keene, and beat
him with his own weapons. if l
can ?"
Very lovingly the brown eyes
looked down into the wonderous
blue depths OF those upturned to
meet his gaze.
81 shouldn't like to see you
worsted, Kate" he said, very
quietly. "I'm afraid, in that case,
somebody would be more hurt
than either of the contestants"
Don't anticipate such catas-
trophe, my lord" she retorted,
saucily, sweeping him courtesy.
II have no intention of returning
you your freedom; only want
the loan of mine for little time.
Give it TO me, Jack! l shan't
have it long even to play with"
This last sentence won the day.
True, he was 10 have her all for
his own soon, this bright, beauti-
full, bewitching girl-it was after
all, but child's whim; but he
withdrew active opposition with
an ominous shaking of the head,
and a sinAlng of the heart, which
he declared TO himself both weak
and foolish. pn
Again the din of voices rose
higher; but one Was silent-One
from the first. In three pairs of
eyes was mirthful fun ia one pair,
lurid CLEAN of malicious envy.
But at last the little group dis
persed. She alone was left within
the room. Then the thin lips
moved.
81 have lost him, Kate Rush
tom" she Authenticated, under
her breath, but you shall never
aUin Gerald Keene, though your
half-hour's triumph might grow
into life time"
The battle had begun. Was it
to the weak, or to the strong.
Even now that Miss Rushton
was engaged, she could not refrain