Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-08-26
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that have filled the world are true :"
Iasked a little triumphantly
"Not true in all their details and
combinations, Of course" said he,
"but whenever you find any incident
really affecting, you may be sure
that it actually happened. Now, in
this story, which | have read at yonr
recommendation, there is no such
incident. The characters are not
alive, and the events never occurred ;
at least within the writer's knowl-
edge. I can tell you a dozen, real
true stories that would beat it all
hollow
Doubted.
"What will you bet ?"
"Who Will decide ~
"You shall decide yourself Come,
/ will tell you one to begin with
and if you don't say it is better than
this mandy -pamby affair have been
reading, III pay for the supper"
SO l sat myself to listen.
II took the night train at Colum-
bas,n said Harry, settling himself
back, to spin his yarn more comfor-
tably.
"Then you are the hero of your
own story said |.
Don't interrupt me. Who said
l was hero? You will see. The
cars were full but found seat be-
side lady and gentleman, who had
appropriated couple to themselves
and were wrapped up in shawls,
sleeping very comfortably.
"The light from the car lamps fell
on their faces. The gentleman, who
seemed a foreigner and proved to be
a Mexican of some distinction, was
Of middle age-a dark, fine looking,
somber, quiet man. But the lady,
young enough to be his daughter,
was of dazzling beauty. a pale
complexion, flushing with the slight
est tint of the rose; an oval face !;
features as regular as those Of q
Grecian statue-wasn't she beauti-
full ?"
~ suppose she was" said |, wish
ing to beamiable when thus appealed
to.
II don't want your opinion on that
point. l had been among rough
people. | had seen few that could
be called refined or beautiful, for a
long time but, making allowances
for all that, she was certainly oneof
the lovliest women | ever beheld.
"When she opened her eyes in the
pale morning light, they were of that
tinge of violet-gray, shaded by long,
dark lashes, so rare and exquisite.
Her little hand, with its long, taper
ing white fingers, tipped with rose
her slender, delicate feet her form
and movements Of perfect grace, all
held me in kind of enchantment
The cars ratified and roarCd along
down the Little Miami, and we were
nearing Cincinnati when l heard her
speak. 1t was some triiling ques-
ton. 1t had the petulance Of some
spoiled Child and a spoiled beauty
but there could be no installing the
pure. high.breeding Of her articula-
ton. BY the time it was broad day
light had studied her well, looking
over my newspaper, 1t was Sunday
morning, and no train left Cincin-
natl until evening, We rode up
town from the depot in the same
omnibus, and ! sat opposite, and so
quite near her,
As l looked, what | presumed
must be my last look at her, and
must have expressed in that look all
the admiration and interest | felt
saying with my eyes, "who can you
be, o beautiful one ?n-she appear
ed to see me for the first time
Something must have told her what
/ was thinking A flush came over
her face-yery Slight indeed, but still
perceptible. 1t was a little surprise
and something that was indigna
ton.
l had given my checks for The
Burnett House; it was with a pang
that l saw my new acquaintance