Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-01-28

"Win that do you any goods Hurry up
than
He was an honest faced young fellow, and
little better dressed than most of the group
sIat waited about the mill yard gate.
"What you want to walk round here with
ne for can't see. They can't work you very
hard, Tommie, if you want so much extra
exercise
1t was rather contemptuous laugh she
had for him. but she showed row Of small
white teeth that poor Tommie thought were
very beautiful.
II wanted to say somethin' particular,
Jennie And he reached down his big dingy
hand for stalk of grass, and began pulling
it nervously TO pieces, as he kept up with her
quick feet They were just passing MIR.
Ellingsworth's house, and father and daugh-
ter stood in the doorway. No doubt Mr..
Ellingsworth had just come home to tea. He
held his tall hat in his hand, while he waited
with his beautiful daughter to enjoy the soft
spring mildneSs. Jane Graves could see in
behind them. How could they bear to stay
outsidel She saw a white spread tea table glis-
tening with silver and rare china, soft tinted
carpets and pictures in rich gilded frames,
far prettier, she was sure, than anything
nature had to show The girls face, as she
shoulder, was as calm as the twilight itself
"How has she deserved it all more than n
She was never tired in her life, and never
lie down at night but my hands and feet
ache. See what she gets for being idle; see
what get for my ten hours work, every day
since was child
"We've known each other pretty long, Jen-
ME, and-andn-he had pulled the grass all
all to pieces" and s'pose you know how I've
II mean how I've felt am doing little
better now" The young mans eyes bright
ened. give got a little money left me, and
you know I'm just made second hand.n
"What is that to me, Tommiep she said,
impatiently. Her woman's soul was longing
for the beautiful life of the rich, whose house
she was passing, and she felt, too, the admir-
ing glance Mr.. Ellingsworth had given to
her graceful figure. Why was this awkward
boy by her side to spoil the effectl
Tommie Bowler WINGED, but ducking his
round head to avoid the sharp look he feared
was in the beautiful eyes, he went on dog
gedly.
81 sposed we'd been agoing together quite
while, Jennie and / was goin' to ask you
when you was willin' to be married"
"Married-to your
All, Tommie Bowler, what were you think
ing of to want to marry girl who had such
q tone as that for youi
Tears of shame started into his eyes. ~
aint so low; never thought but what you
would before"
She gave him look half curious and half
pitiful He might as well have cried for the
moon. Could it be the lad thought that just
because she was pretty she could make his
home happy for him--hsi
srm not going to have hand at making
another poor mans home. People like us
had better DO single; there's only half the
trouble that way, Tommie."
The broad shouldered young man, who did
not know what was good for him, fell back
from the woman his heart hungered for as if
he was shot. And she walked on, with hard
ly another thought for the foolish lover who
imagined they two could be happy together.
Why couldn't she be richs They had al
ways told her she was beautiful. If she only
had chance They say men are fools over
pretty women, and that is the only hope a
woman has of winning her way. If she only
bad chance.
A delicate gray mist hoated over the river
below the village, and the green forests and
fresh meadows on the other side smiled
through it, like a fair woman through her
tears. A tired soul might have drunk in its
beauty and been rested, but Jane Graves cast
her eyes down ON the dusty road before her
and walked along with set bitter curl on
her bright red lips, and did not once look at
the gift of Gods mercy to the poorest of his
creatures. For her part she despised the
poor; she didn't pity them; great strong men
who submitted to be trodden ON and ground
under the feet of the rich; whose blood and
muscles and quivering flesh were weighed in
the balance against a few dollars of the spec
ulators. 1t was good enough for them as
long as they submitted to it. She didn't
blame the rich they were the only wise peo-
pie; she only envied them They did well to
take all they could get and walk over as
many thousands as would fall down before
them. Oh if she could only win her way to
their ranks. But the rich men do not come
into the weave room for their ensavers
Suddenly she heard step behind her; a
step she knew from all others in the world,
and the whole air seemed to tremble with a
new, strange, heavenly impulse.
Good evening, Jane"
She turned with new, sweet shyness. II
was Curran, the agitator who was beside
her. A soft flush was on her cheeks, warm
light in her eyes that had grown larger for
him in delicious surprise.
"Who is that young fellow who just left
your
"Oh, one Of my lovers" she answered
coquettishly, dropping her eyes before his.
'He your lover!" repeated Curran in his
imperious fashion. "Youre not for such as
he, Jennie"
Her heart 1uttered in sweet fear at the
meaning she thought in his words. She was
trying 70 walk very slowly, but how fast
they seemed to pass the houses.
$50 told him." she said
"You did well, then," and he looked down
admiringly on the girl. "You are a fine wo-
man. don't suppose you know it,"
Jane Graves tried to look as if it was news
to her, and Curran went on. "Few women
are prettier. There are fine prizes for such as
you in this world if you win only wait. He
continued thoughtfully, "Men have to work
for distinction; pretty face brings it to
women