Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-11-18
TWO At THAT GAME.

i1bob vi ktIE tIuE c1Ci Ad9 SpCAb III
the company Of Mr. MAXWELL, the
gentleman Miss Elsworth's old
friend, Ned Whitaker, had intro
dueed to her one morning on the pi-
aZza. She had sailed with him, had
strolled with him, or ridden with
him along the shores on the moon
light evenings, and she had danced
with him in the thronged drawing
rooms.
Miss Ellsworth was not hirt, who
distributed her likings among many
gentlemen but she had found her
ideal well nigh realized in Mr.. Man
well. Only the evening before, their
talk had withdrawn itself from gen
eral topics, which to each other had
been congenial, and in her admira~
tion of his intelligence and manli-
ness, she had encouraged an approach
to that personal sort of conversation
which relates to love and matrimo,
ny.
And now, to find Mr. Maxwell this
morning, with his coat off and
Smiths apron on, engaged in mend
ing a lock He was doing it public
ly. The lock was on the door that
led to the middle of the front piazza,
where the fashionably- dressed ladies
and gentlemen were sitting or prom
enading.
His back was toward her as she
approached, leaning on the arm of
her friend, Annie West. She recog-
nized him, looking intently at him,
gave her companion over to a party
of young ladies near, and then stop
ped and spoke to him.
do you like that sort of work,
Mr.. Maxwell ?"
81 do, Miss Ellsworth. l believe
[ am a natural mechanic. "
sit appears odd to see you do this"
cit is my trade" he replied, rising
from his work and turning to her.
Her cheek blanched a little. "Your
trade ?" she said family.
"My trade, Miss Ellsworth. The
proprietor said the lock needed
mending, and / told him I could
mend it for him."
The party of girls came along just
then. After wondering at Mr.. Man
well awhile, and laughing at him,
they proposed ride. There were
three carriages among them all;
these would take the party.
Ned Whitaker here joined them.
"What the deuce are you about
here ?" he exclaimed to Mr.. Man
well. "Ah, " he added, as the latter
turned and glanced at him "but
while you are here you might as well
enjoy yourself"
Mr.. MAXWELL excused himself from
joining the party, and they all went
away, leaving him to complete his
work.
Miss Ellsworth left him without a
word at parting.
at is well" he muttered to him
self. IF she cannot take me as l
am, she is not worthy of me. The
woman that marries me must take
me for myself"
He stood and looked after her UNI
til she had disappeared. She did not
once turn to look back.
He gave his shoulders a shrug,
compressed his lips, uttered cyni-
cal "humph ~ and turned to finish
his work.
"Let it be so, he muttered, when
he was through, and was putting on
his coat, Il thought, perhaps, | had
found woman after my own heart.
Let it be so. Amid this world of
wealth and fashion, she, too, has
lost her soul. Let her 60"
He avoided her hereafter. He did
not seek to catch her eye for bow
of recognition. When she entered
the drawing-room where he was, he
would go out by another way, But
he was more than ever in company
with Ned Whitaker. Ned in pass
ing to and fro between Miss Els
worth and him, served still as sort
of link between them.
"You are a cynical fellow" said
Ned one day. why don't you take
people rs they are? You win find
good enough in them"