Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-08-19

there is some deep mystery here he
said, with a puzzled air. Ada, why
cannot you marry me ?"
/ am married already" she said,
Il KNOW know" he said, with
a puzzled look; but you are now a
widow"
4 am not a widow, Arthur, she
replied. my husband is still liy-
ing"
ada I" he said, relinquishing her
hands.
cit is not my fault, Arthur To
me he has long been dead, but he is
still living, as the world calls it"
Then she told him all her griefs.
My poor Ada" he murmured.
And | would have cherished you so
tenderly."
do you blame menow, Arthur ?"
she whispered.
NO, Ada, but we must bear our
burdens as best we can, he replied,
sadly. mine will always be less
hard for the knowledge that you
have loved me. And now, dearest,
we part forever
But, will you love me still ~ she
said, with wild, startled look in
her eyes
Forever, Ada" he replied.
When the guests met next morn
ing at the breakfast table, one accus-
toned face was missing. Arthur
Desmond had returned to the city.
"Gone !" echoed gay young girl.
GLOW we shall miss him, shall we
not, Mrs. leighton ~
certainly we shall miss him" re
piled Ada Leighton.
From Boston, Arthur Desmond
hurried to the South where the war
had just broken out, about as indif-
ferent to what could befall him as a
man well can be. Accepting a CON-
mission in the army, he passed thro'
the war scatheless, and returned
home Colonel Desmond.
Fate is a strange problem" be
thought. "An honorable death
would have been a boon to me, yet
how many times have l stood un-
harmed and seen fall around me
those who had every tie to make life
sweet My poor Ada wonder
if she is as heartsick as l am"
It is often harder to live patiently
than to die bravely. And SO Colonel
Desmond found it, while with every
day and week the love for Ada grew
stronger and deeper in his heart.
But he never wrote to her. Once
he received few lines from her
a note that he wore next to his heart
but he dared not risk reply.
Brave soldier, courageous man
that he was, he dared not, lest The
love he was struggling so hard to
keep back, should spring up rebel
lious and conquering. within him, to
urge him to do that which in after
years they would both repent.
1t was a dark, snowy night in De-
cember, when Arthur Desmond en-
tered the express train from Exeter
to Boston. After a smoke and a
chat with his friend, the conductor,
in the baggage car, which was full,
he gazed doubtfully around. One
seat alone was empty; and as he
stood the occupant Of the other half
toward the window took his yalise
off the vacant cushion.
"This seat is not engaged, sir. +"
Arthur courteously bowed his
thanks, and as he sat down glanced
at his companion. 1t was not a face
that he liked, and he was sorry TO
even travel the few miles that lay
before him, with that smooth.faced
william, whose silky blonde nous
tach, shaded, coarse, sinister lips,
and whose blue eyes had such
wandering cruel look.
mot a very pleasant night, said
the stranger, good-humoredly; bnt
Arthur merely bowed his head every
impulse of his chiyalrous nature be-
ing in arms against the smooth face
and insinuating voice.
The journey, however, was to be
briefer than he had any idea of, One
moment they were speeding swiftly
.,1.,E ~, c.,, $780,. a ,r,,, ~,