Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-08-01


the bonnet strings under her chin. She
stood quite still during this performance,
the dlmplos appearing In her check, but
her eyes demure and downcast.
Then I opened the gate and we passed
out into = path leading through the or
chard to pretty rustic bridge spanning
the river.
The day wss dying, but dying In regal
splendor over land radiant with summer
beauty. May leaned on the railing Of the
bridge and gazed with rapt eyes down the
river, that reflected the sunsets hues,
until st the horizon IL seemed to be lost In
the crimson glory.
And well, there's time In every
mans life when he appreciates one fair
face more than all the lovsliness OF ma
ture, so contonted myself with the deli
cate profile beside me.
At last, as the clouds lost their vivid
tint, she turned toward me with little
sigh.
at Ia over" she said softly. "Lst u.
go back to the house."
"Not yet" l exclaimed, catching her
hand, my voice trembling. 81 brought
you here 20 tell you something. May
darling 1 love you! Do you think you
could ever care for Ine?"
For one brief instant her eyes met mine
and my heart thrilled, for l thought the
light In them was love. Theh the lashes
dropped OH her cheeks and she turned
shyly away. was waiting breathloSsly
for her answer, when a hgurc emerged
from the orchard path, aad Matt. the
hired boy, came hurrylng toward Us. /
dropped Mays hand and impa.iently de-
msndcd his errand.
"Please, Mr.. Hathaway, you're to come
to the house right away. There's tele-
gram there for you"
With IN expression OF disgust at this
inopportune intrusion, drew Mays hand
within my arm and followed the boy to
the house. Upon reading the telegram, l
found that my immediate presence was
required In the city to attend to some i'm
portant business affsirs.
Tho next train left Overton In half an
hours time, and / had only time TO make
some hurried preparations. | did not get
a chance to say word to May in private,
and SO left for the city with my question
unanswered; but this did not troHble me,
for I thought | knew what that answer
might be.
After week later, returned. IL was
dusk ss l walked up the road, and by the
dim light could descry white figure at
the garden gate. l hurried gladly to-
wards 1t for it was May.
took her two little hands eagerly In
my own, and scanned her features as well
rs I could by tho faint light.
1t seemed to me that she looked very
pale, and there were heavy sh adows un-
der her eyes.
"Haye you been III, dearr" asked snx-
ously.
"No, am quite well, Mr.. Hathaway"
"Mr. Hathaway" l exclaimed re-
proshfully. Then l bent forward and
tried to put my arm around hsr waist.
care you ready to answer me now" /
said. "Do you love me Msy2 VIII you
be my wife?'
eyes, am quite ready TO answer you.
do not love you; never dreamed Of
such a thing. l will not be your wifo."
l staggered back and stared at her IN
credulously. 1t was cruel shock for
had been confident that her answer would
be eyes" All this summer had been
spent trying to win her, and she had Ger
tainly encouraged me-for this! A sud-
den furious anger filed me, and accused
her OF deceit--heartless coquetry. She
answered my hot words with little taunt-
Ing laugh.
at Is the old story reversed" she said.
"Tnstesd Of handsome gentleman from
the city spending the summer In the coun-
try, and amusing himself with country
girl, country girl has amused herself
for whole summer with q city gentle
man." t..r.-
Then she turned and went Into the
house.
And the next day went back to the
city changed man. The thought that
May whom had deemed so sweet and
womanly could be capable Of the part sho
had played, raukled in my mind, and
resolved 70 forget her. go time passed on.
"Brian, I have engaged a govsrness for
Nellie. Such a pretty, dainty little crea-
ture-I like her immensely. She has
delicious voice, and / am going to send
for her and ask her to sing for you"
was laying back lazily on a comforts
BILE lounge in my sister-in-lar's pretty
parlor, putting away at r cigar. 1 had
come that afternoon to pay my brother
long promised visit, but found to my
chagri7 that he was away attending to
some business, and things promised rather
dali for me.
In answer to her words, said careless
ly:
"All right, sis. A little music would
not 20 badly just now. think II would
suit my mood admirably"
She touched bell, and directed the SER
want who answered il TO tell the govern
ess TO come TO the parlor.
In few minutes light tap sounded on
the door, and In answer 10 my sisters
words the governess entered the room.
For brief instant everything seemed