Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-03-10

Margaret, l study only TO be
more like you; | love you-will-n
There Joseph Tregear, you say
you study to be like me ? am sure
| never set you the example of talk
ing such rubbish All, alb Good
BY"
SO saying, off she tripped into the
house, to his intense discontinue.
But was Margaret any more happy
than the lover she had left so dis
consulate in the street That eve
ming her parents noticed great
change in her, but could not discov-
er the cause. She did not talk nor
take any food, but soon retired to
her own little room, complaining of
headache.
Do | love him ?" she muttereu,
to herself. Poor fellow! he studies
hard for my sake-to be like nae, |
suppose he calls it. All, Joseph
why did l leave you so abruptly ?
What worthless thing / am" She
could not sleep that night, until she
had decided upon future course of
action.
The next day being Saturday, she
spent at home in household duties
which she shared with her mother,
but she scarcely spoke word the
whole day. In the evening she went
to the Diapers and bought a few rib.
bons and other little articles, for
there was some object in now being
pretty.
On Sunday she appeared at church
dressed with more than usual care,
and she may be forgiven, if she was
not quite so attentive to the ser mon
as she should have been, for there at
distance sat Joseph Tregear, look
ing at her with his great blue eyes,
causing her to blush, and inspiring
her with desire to sink through the
floor.
On leaving the porch after dismiss
sing her flock. Margaret found Tom
and Joseph pretending to read the
inscriptions on the tombs. AT the
sound of her step Tom raised his
head and advanced to meet her with
a friendly nod, while Tom remained
still, but fixed those great blue eyes
on her.
Good morning, Tom," she said,
indifferently, how are you ?"
Polgaze was replying as they near
ed Tregear, when Margaret stopped.
Tregear still held back, trembling in
his heart and apprehensive of his
rival. Margaret was, however, so
apparently calm, that he was begin
ming to think her heart as hard as
the native rocks, when, nodding an
adieu to Polgaze, she very naturally
and very quietly put her band on
Tregear's arm and said
81 am very sorry | kept you wait
ing | can only spare you an hour
for a walk"
1t was the first time she had ever
shown preference, and Tom knew
that he to was out of the race His
face turned to an ashen hue, and he
tottered off with detected looks, but
with clenched fists.
Tregear squeezed the small hand
that had so UNEXPECTEDLY been put
on his arm, and led Margaret away
for the promised walk, which itneed
scarcely be said was heightened into
an hour and half. When Marga-
ret once more arrived under her par
ents' roof it was not alone that she
came. Henceforth another had
right to join her there.
Tregear knew the price that must
be paid for Margaret's love. He
knew that Polgazs would not give
her up without contest. Nor was
it long before the battle was COM
menced, for that very evening, as
Tregear left the home of Marga.
ret, he was attacked by his rival. 1t
was with him buta word and blow.
"Joe Tregear, you've crossed my
steps and now I'll be revenged on
you !"
So saying, Polgaze struck a blow
which would have felled an ordinary
man. But Tregear was quite
match for him, and the two fought
long and desperately, until separated
NV tho rural pnI;oapoo, ., xr,h~ <braok