Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-06-03
ILLS FOLLY.

I'll DooC, ran llghtly down the steps or
|# her beautiful new home.
E She had been married month,
and was very happy as the darling
III of an old man, who, while fortunate
II enough to surround her with luxury,
was also more fortunate to possess
/ the utter faith and love:of his young
wife.
Major Lawney had never regretted
the few years of tried fidelity and
experience which made his breast
haven of rest and peace to his other
wise lonely girl. 1t was Lillian who
grieved that her brief twenty sum-
mers might separate so far their
now united lives.
But the brilliant winter day pos
sesssed for her no introspection. She
only knew that her happy heart
seemed to be reflected from the daz-
cling streets and bright blue sky.
Her content seemed to make all
the world content about her, until
she came suddenly upon knot of
boys, in tbs midst of which was
poor miserable dog, crouching ami
NAL, over which her heart melted.
She stopped.
"What are you doing with that
dog ?'' she asked, somewhat severly.
The boys had paused, at her sud-
den appearance on the scene, with
the air of detected criminals.
h One, revealing that he had heart
b in his breast finally answered: &.
II Med Rollins, he turned whole
u bottle of kerosene over him, and
II they re going to set it on fire.
n "Is this true p'' demanded Lillian
of one of the older boys.
"He's my dog, and I've a right to
do with him what l please" he re
h turned, insolently; and he arose
from his crouching position and gave
the poor dog kick, which actually
caused Lillian feeling of physical
faintneSs.
The other boys looked somewhat
cowed at the indignant flush of her
beautiful eyes, but the bully stood
sullen and defiant. -.
"You don't want the dog, 1 un-
derstand ?" she said at length, ad-
dressing him.
"No. 1 am going to kill him ~
Y he answered, brutally.
Il "He said he'd sell him to me; and
now he WON'T" spoke up another of
the boys. ... ....,
Will you sell him to me ?'' ask ed
Lillian, quickly.
"How much will you give ?" de-
manded the young ruffian.
Lillian took out her little azure
purse, with its gold rings and turned
/ the coin into her hand. Only a few
pennies and gold sovereign, which
latter she had kept for pocket
piece for some months. Her hus-
band had dropped it into her purse
one day, playfully, proposing that
she should make some wise invest
ment of it. She turned the coin in
her palm regretfully. There was no
help for it.
II will give you this" she said,
taking out the sovereign.
"You may have him."
Transferring the coin to the boys
hand, Lillian bent over the new pur-
chase, patted him, and took the
string which was tied about his
neck
The dog was only puppy yet, APP
parantly of a large breed of animal,
was of good size, with a shaggy,
rusty coat; but Lillian observed that
his head, with its dropping, silken
ears, was really pretty, and intelii-
gence shown in the appealing brown
eyes. Still the forlorn starved crea-
\ ture was ludicrous appendage to
the elegant young lady, and as she
rose up to lead him away the boys
set up shout of derision. Lilian's
cheeks burned; but she continued to
lead and coax the animal through
the quiet square to her own door.
With a breath of relief she finally
shut the door upon him. In the
vestibule of the elegant house the
miserable dog looked more misera-
BILE then ever by contrast land Lillian
looked at him thoughtfully, faint
smile of humor relieving her excite
ment and compassion.
At that moment she heard her
husband in the drawing room.
"Major ~ she called gaily.
Darling ~ was the response.
81 have invested my sovereign.
Come and see."
Major Lawney, with handsome,
manly face and curling gray hair,
appeared in the hall.
With q dramatic air of mock tri-