Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-11-24
BELIEVING HIM FALSE.

could have found \ prettier place If l had
searched the world over"
l paused, and looked with approving
eyes ut the retreat | had chosen for the
summer. 1t was q rambling picturesque
house, standing quite i distance back from
the road, and half hidden by the thick TO-
liage of trees around it. There was gray
clrd path leading up to the front entrance,
on either side OF which were beds OF iiow-
ers in full bloom; back in the distance
caught glimpses Of green fields and or
chards laden with half-ripe fruit, aud L
line of low blue hills bounding the hori-
zon.
| walked up the path and knocked at
the door, mt first moderately, then, as no
one answered, more impatiently. But
my summons brought no one, aud after
about ten minutes of inpatient waiting,
stepped back and viewed the house; the
blinds were all closed-there seemed to
be no trace of life about it. Yet had sent
word to Mrs. Morris, the lady who had
advertised, saying she had 'homelike ac-
commodation for one or two summer
boardcrs," that was coming. What did
she mean by going away.
! gave another laundering rap at the
door, that met with no more success than
the preceding ones; then l was turning
away in disgust, wondering what | could
do with myself, when the sound OF
sweet, full voice, singing, broke on my
ear.
[ listened eagerly. The sound came
from the rear of the house. l fastened in
tLat direction, delighted to find that there
was some one at home after all.
a wide portico extended across the back
OF the house, tangle of honeysuckle
vines growing over its columns and the
lattice-work ut each end.
Sitting in 4 low chair just in front OF
the open door was Il young girl, the
singer whose voice had guided me.
Such pretty girl. The fresh blooming
face made me think inyoluntarily OF Il
wild rose. The sleeves Of her light calico
dress were rolled up, showing pair of
white dimplcd arms and the pretty fin
gers were stained red from the berries she
was picking.
could have stood for an indefinite Pc
riod admiring the picture she made and
listening to her song, but the loud bark
ing of 4 dog that had been lying at her
feet blinking in the sunlight, made her
raise her eyes.
stepped up on the portico as she look
ed at me, and raised my hat.
"You must pardon me for intruding,"
| said. 81 knocked at the front door for
long time, and no one answered; so l
came round here, guided by your singing.
am the gentleman who engaged apart
men.s here for the summer-Brlan Hath
away"
care you Mr.. Hathaway? Auntie did
not expect you until tomorrow" she ex-
claimed, putting the dish of berries on a
little table beside her, and rising to her
feet.
"I wrote that 1 was coming to-day"
declared.
"Then it was her mistake. She has
gone to spend the day ut 81 friends house,
but will do my best to make you COM
Portable until her return"
smiled secretly, very mach pleased at
having to be entertained by such charm
inc little creature. Then she led the way
into the house and up stairs to a large airy
room with three windows, overlooking
the green fields, orchards, and narrow
river that looked like silver ribbon
stretching across the country.
Ny hostess left me, and going to my
trunks, that had arrived the day before,
| proceeded to remove the traces of my
hot, dusty journey.
Occasionally, during the task, | could
hear the sound Of feet crossing the hall
below, and snatchcs Of song fioated up to
me. smiled contentedly to myself.
After my toilet was completed went
down stairs. A door on one side Of the
hall was open, and entered a cool shady
little parlor. The room was tenantless,
but after a few minutes OF anxious wait
ing, a light step sounded in the hall, and
nv little hostess entered.
She had changed the calico dress for
" uhite muslin, and washed the pink stains
from her fingers, and now she sat down
in chair near me, and talked TO me in
the dainty, gracious way that sat so we'll
upon her.
In n little while we were the best Of
friends; she played for NE on the piano
that stood in one corner, and sung to me
favorite songs in her clear, sweet soprano.
| was an author of some little fame In
search of change, yet did not add sim
gle sentence 10 my story that night when
| went to my room. Instead of writing
extinguished the light and sat down at
the open window to breathe the dewy,
fragrant air and think of May.
Her face, with its luminous grey eyes,
wild rose color, and the deep dimples that
came in the left cheek whenever she was
pleased or amused, seemed TO ME the
sweetest had ever seen, and determined
that, if it were possible, would win her
for my wife.
"Come, May, let us take walk; here