Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-03-21

ings,' Lizzie. If / had, should have
spoken before this, for there has been
enough said about you. But 4 never
needed idle tongues. j thought they
were envious because you were pref
tier and smarter than the rest, and |
gave no heed to what / heard; but
when friend thought it necessary to
write me a word OF warning, / came
right over, intending to talk to you.
The first thing that / saw as I came
up the road, was What do you
think it vast"
| knew well enough, and my heart
smote me, but my temper was up; so
tossed my head and said didn't
know what he had said.
"And,n / added, whats more,
John Arden, l don't know as j care
either.n
an tell you, however,all the same"
he went on just as quietly. 81 saw
you, Lizzie, walking with your new
lover, and his arm was around your
waist That's how / knew you were
false to me, and not for anyone's tell
ing. As for you caring-no, | don't
think you do care for me or yourself,
either, else you'd have more regard
for your own good name. But I've
no more to say. came here intend
ing to tell you that my wages are
raised, and we might be married at
once; but after what I've seen" his
voice broke down. He walked to the
door, and there turned. "Good-bye,
my girlv he said brokenly. "May
God forgive your falsehood to true
heart, and-may you never have bit
ter cause to repent of it p
And with that he was going, but /
stopped him. All my wicked pride
gave way when heard the tremulous
tones, and saw tears glistening in his
honest, brave, blue eyes.
"John,' said I, going up to
him, "don't you be too harsh
with me, or too hasty. / am a
giddy girl, John, dear, but I'm moth
ing worse. I've felt fattered by Mr..
Radnor's notice; and as to his walk
ing with me this evening, he said he
had business up this way. Az to his
arm being round my waist ooh, how
ashamed of myself did feel, to be
sure cit never was so before, John,
upon my honor; and if you'll only
forgive me this once, it never shall be
SO again. Won't you forgive me,
John ?"
| tried to put my arms around his
neck, but he kept me off, still looking
at me sternly. Certainly I had never
realized hon much did love John
Arden till now, when 1 seemed in q
fair way of losing him.
"Why do you ask me to forgive
you ?" he asked.
I burst into tears.
Because I love you!D 1 answered,
passionately, land however much I
may have firted with others, my
heart has been always yours. And
because, if lose you, all the Mr..
Radnors in the world, and all their
wealth, couldn't make amends to me
for such "a loss ~
At the very mention of such mis-
fortune my tears flo we'd faster, and /
sobbed most bitterly. But John
clasped me in his arms, and kissed
the tears away.
"My darling!' said he, 81 was too
hastyl Let us forgive each other! !"
And so we made up our first quar-
rel; and mother, being taken into our
counsel, advised that 1 should leave
the factory to-morrow-being Satur,
| day and devote the next month to
preparations for our marriage, which
was to take place at the end of that
time. John was to take pretty lit
tie apartment over in town, and I was
to superintend the furnishing SO
there would be plenty to do, and ]