Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-09-25

looked at q book for two days -
this last, it must be owned, with a
slight air of triumph as she contin-
ued, penitently: 81 am afraid l
have been to blame, but tomorrow
| will leave you free to spend the
whole day with your books, for
Cousin Joe has promised to drive
me over to Dapleston to do some
shopping"
"Hang cousin Joe -
"Mr. DOrseyw form Martha's
astonished lips.
81 beg pardon, | really hope
you will have a delightful time,
Miss Duncan. | assure you ! shall
a-cnjoy 1t immensely being left to
my books and-confound it! Ex-
cuse me /"
And before Martha could reply,
Paul Dorsey had left the room.
GLOW queer he is" soliloQuized
Martha, as Pauls departing foot
steps echoed through the hall. 81
don't see why he should dislike Joe
so Joe is always such n favorite
with every one. | hope | haven't
offended him. | am sure | didn't
mean tor And with rather u puz'
zled look upon the fair face, Mar
tha closed the organ.
That evening as Martha stood
down by the meadow gate caress-
ing old Doxey, the mare, her quick
ears caught the sound Of a famil-
lar tread advancing toward her,
and a moment aftera voice exclaim-
ed
q am an idiot, Miss Martha, but
II hope you will forgive me. !
couldn't bear the idea of his monop'
olizing you all day. | know you
could never think of an old book
worm like myself-still II have
been very happy, and | forget
sometimes that-that there is such
a difference between u.s.
Martha's cheeks had been grow
ingrosierand roster, while astrange
wild ioy surged through her veins
as she answered, her tones tremb
ling slightly.
sSince can remember COusior
Joe and | have been playmates
and since father died he has beer
SO good and kind to mother, help.
ing her about the farm and in every
way that he has become like a sol
to her, and as dear as a brother tt
me. Dear Joe l don't know wha
we should have done without him.
She paused, the tears gathering II
her pretty eyes. Paul drew near
er, then hesitated, as Martha con
tinued:
Joe is engaged to my deares
friend, and they are to be married
in Just six weeks
Il am awfully glad mean
wish them joy, and all that sort o
thing and Paul Dorsey advanced
still nearer the little figure int
whose eyes a sweet shyness ha'
stolen.
Martha, do you think there is
ghost of chance for mef As IT.
my first attempt at anything of Tho
kind, perhaps you will sum it uI
leniently, and make my sentenc
as easy as you cam then gathering
courage from Martha's half averte'
| face, and the extreme pinkness O
the one visible ear, he laid hi
hand caressingly upon hers, add
ing;
Martha, do you think you cal
forgive me for-for loving you 7
Why should | forgive you 70
what | have done myselfp cam
the low answer, followed naivcl.
by, But | did not know it until tC
day, when thought ! had ofiende'
YOU
And and you don't mind IN.
being odd-or anythingY stan
mered Paul, in his excessive JOY.
You are not bit odd,' was tn
indignant reply; Il wouldn't hav
you any different and Marth
touched shyly the coat-sleeve l
close proximity to her waist, where
upon she Immediately disappeare
from view, and from somewhere i
the region of Paurs waiscoat pock
ct a muffled little voice might hav
been heard calculating:
ooh, Paul ! suppose somebody
lookingT
q hope they are was the AUDI
cious reply, succeeded by a secon
disappearace on Martha's part.
, A week or so later a stylish.dres
: ed middle.aged LAZY was sittln
tete-a.tete with Mrs. Duncan, wh
, was observing;
Dear me, Lucindy, you've Il
call to thank me. / had nOthin
to do with it. Not but what | al
/ real pleased that your son and IN
, daughter should come together
but I had no more thought OF
than YOURSELF
A slight smile stirred the lips
Mrs. Dorsey as she remarked:
'You are just the same as eve
Mary. Well, II Martha only turn
, out half as good a woman as you
! self, am satisfied that Paul ha
; won a treasure
: sAnd hell never forget, mothe