Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-05-10

who had on a former occasion been
handed one of his missiyes by mis-
take. Neither he nor the elder Miss
Foreman was a French scholar, but
the young lady was, and SO 1t had
struck him that it would be quite
original, safe and proper to make an
instrument of the count in the affair
He did not for moment attribute
the disastrous result to any connec-
ton of the Frenchman with the note
and when the latter did not reply to
his forced pleasantly. he mentally
called him gentleman for not ask.
ing questions, and began his note OF
inquiry. ss-s~
His lines were few and not alto
gether lover like; his love could not
wholly conquer his proud and indie
pendent spirit.
The note was never answered. On
the following day he received from
Miss Foreman the half dozen presents
he had given her, without word ac-
companying them, and he concluded
bitterly that all was up between
them.
Misery now claimed him for its
own, and for few day she was as
disconsolate as a widow, and avoid
ed one and all of his friends. He
saw by newspaper that Major Can
mann and Miss Forman had occu-
pied a prominent box at the opera,
and he expected every day to hear of
their engagement.
Sure enough one morning he read
a paragraph announcing the immedi-
ate union of the Major and Miss
Foreman There were but two or
three lines, making the bare state
ment without any establishment or
comment.
Wellman paced his room in agony.
"My life is ruined" he muttered
over and over under his breath. 81
loved her SO fondly, and now she has
broken my heart My OWN Jeanie
she one week ago put her arms
about my own neck and kissed me,
my own Jeanie-she did not love
me she has ruined my life She has
played the hypocrite and firt. True
l had not yet formally asked her to
become my wife +; but she understood
we both understood, 1 thought
and as l intimate her in that French
note, meant to ask her that night
to set the day for our marriage My
God, Jeanie why did you treat me
SO? Ga, why were you false p
The post brought him an invita-
ton from an old 30 ton friend to
attend reception at her house, and
that night he rushed off to the Hub,
glad of chance to escape the posi-
bility of meeting her. He felt that
he could not look down on her face
now without completely breaking
down.
Strange fatality Almost the first
woman he saw as he entered the
reception room of his old friends was
Jeanie Forman /! And who was that
bending over her with such devoted
mienl Count Marat Every move
ment and look of his eyes told that
he was madly in love with her |
Loves jealous eyes are keen, and
Wellman was quick to discover the
counts secret. He looked at jean
les face. She was seemingly alb
sorbed in painting in distant cor
ner of the room, and displayed little
interest in the count and what he was
saying. She had not seen him
Wellman.
The latter felt faint and dizzy, and
went into the library. Passing
mirror he caught a glimpse of his
face. He was pale as death. He
would quit the house at once.
He didn't, however. His hostess
just then captured him, and before
he could utter a word of remon-
STRANGE, had him acknowledging an
introduction to Miss Decker, or Miss
name, he just remem-
bered, was that of some kind of piano.
He did not trust him to look at
Miss Forman again. Ifshe saw him
he knew it not.
The hour grew late, and the guests
were leaving.
Wellman had just told his hostess
good night, and was hurrying toward
the door, when he came face to face
with the one of all others he sought
to avoid.
Her face became as crimson. and
she was painfully embarrassed.
He felt his whole frame trembling.
This is-ah-unexpected,n he
stammered. " I did not know you
were in Boston,"
"Nor l you,n she replied. Her
tones were low"
"I-I congratulate you," said Mr..
Wellmsn.
''For what reason, pray?' said
Miss Foreman.
"Yeur marriage-ah-on the eigh-
teenth. Isn't it-ah-a trife sud
den 2"
"But you are mistaken" coldly.
II could not accept your recommen-
dation, Mr.. Wellman."
"Could not-do what?n
II refused him this night. Your
suggestion was very. reru kind but