Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-03-04


There was much buying aud selling.
and .Jennie's table was very popu-
lar But as the new church WAS
large, and not yet furnished, IL was
not very warm. The girls at the
table were shivering all day, aud by
the time evening came, Jenuie's feet
were 50 numb and cold that she
could hardly stand.
A hot supper, however, bad been
prepared at the hotel just across the
street. Dr. Chester waited on Jen-
ME at the table. Glad enough was
she to get something warm aud near
a fire.
But DR.. Chester, though Kind aud
polite, was not what he had been.
He seemed strangely cold and dis
tant, and Jennie felt as If her bright
day was spoiled. But girls know
how to hide these things and Jennie
was the gayest of the gay. She had
to return to her stall again immedi-
ately after supper, and, oh how tie
cold struck her as she stepped out
into the night.
DR.. Chester left her at the door of
a small room, designed for a vestry,
but now used by the ladies as dress
ing room. Jennie ran in to put off
her wraps, land while doing this heard
her name spoken in the narrow pas
sage without:
Its all settled, suppose, DIR. be-
tween you and Miss Carson" was
what she heard.
mo, Fred. I've seen the folly of
that to-day" The voice which an
swered was that of DR.. Chester.
"You astonish me "replied Fred.
don't mind giving you the rea-
son, Fred, F." said the doctor. Just
look at that young lady's feet and
you will have it. In spite of this
cold day. she wears nothing but a
pair of flimsy blue silk shoes. |
have more than fancied Miss Carson;
| don't deny it. But you will see at
once that a girl who can so utterly
sacrifice her reason to her vanity, is
not the wife for poor, struggling
doctor, with his fortune yet to make.
But enough of this. Let's go in. 1t
is chilly here"
Poor Jennie Fortunately there
was no one in the dressing room but
herself She flew to the furtherest
end of the room and hid her burning
face on pile of clOakS. But, after
brief struggle she rallied. 1t would
never do to cry. 1t would never do
to go to her table with red eyes. 1t
was very erect, firm mouthed lit
tie lady, who walked to her table,
presently. The heels of the pretty
blue boots came down upon the
floor with a sharp. resolute click; for
Jennie had made up her mind to do
something very odd.
81 am little FOOL" she said to
herself, "but don't deserve to lose
a good mans opinion, and | won't if
can help it,
1t was late before she was ready
to go home. Just as she was about
to start, DIR. Chester, who was her
escort, handed her pair of over
shoes, saying quietly, as if it were a
matter of course.
"Miss Jennie, please put these on.
1t is too cold night for such thin
shoes as / see you wear"
Poor Jennie Her face was scar
let with modification. She made
out to utter "thank YOU" and put
on the overshoes without saying
word. Then she took the doctors
arm and they went out together.
Jennie's heart was beating so fast
that it almost choked her. But she
was as determined as ever. Before
ten steps had been taken she said:
doctor Chester, do you think it
right to condemn person for sin
gle fault 20
Certainly not" said the doctor,
promptly.
"Then why do you condemn me 2"
81 do not understand you," said
he"
II heard every word you said to
Fred Somels, tonight" rejoined
Jennie, quietly.
Miss Jennie !" He stopped, start