Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-12-13

him Of the case of Lewis versus Lew
is, and the comments he had made
on that case.
aAnd is that all?" asked Nellie,
when he finished. She smiled little
as she asked the question, and close
observer would have noticed that q
sigh Of relief passed her lips.
"All? Isit not too much? Know
ing that your father holds this view
can l do otherwise than give you
up?"
II thought you had more pluck"
said the young girl, just suggestion
of scorn in her voice.
ssIt is not matter of courage, but
Of conscience, of honor. Can | go
to the man who gives me such adj
vice as ] have received, who tells me
never to marry a woman who is be-
yond my station financially, and ask
him to give to me his daughter who
is dearer to him than all elseg | am
poor. / have none but the most
problematical prospects; while YOU
well. / need not say more; you can
readily see my position.
aBut cant sec it in the light in
which you place it. ! thought you
had sufficient faith in me not to be-
lieve that I would do as that dread
full woman did of whom my father
told you. Your prospects are GER
tainly better than you represent them
Furthermore, my father would yield
to my wishes"
II do not lack faith in you; Heav-
en- knows how strong that faith is
it is because would feel that had
acted treacherously toward one who
has been my best friend if I held you
to your-your promise, that ! have
decided to do that which will take all
happiness out of my life."
aProbably it never occurred to
you that the happiness of anyone else
might suffer; it seems that / am not
considered at all"
"You will soon forget; you will be
happier than I could ever make you."
sOhl certainly, we woman forget
SO easily; i is only the men that re-
member; Ehly the hearts of men that
are broken. However, since you
wish it so, it is not for me to object
1T is not what wish; it is what /
must do"
But suppose I should refuse to ac-
cept your decision; suppose | should
insist at least on your trying for q
term of years to bring your financial
condition to what you consider the
proper standing"
cit would be wrong to keep you
bound by a promise to one who
would Eye to struggle perhaps for
years and might fail at last"
81 see it is vain to reason with one
who is unreasonable; it shall be as
you WISH"
Just then Judge Sharpe entered
the room, and the painful meeting
was abruptly ended.
A few moments Letter, Judge
Sharpe's clerk came into Walter
Lossing's office one day and told
him that the judge wanted to see
him.
1t seemed to Walter that the judge
looked unusually stern, when he re-
sponded to the latter's summons a
few minutes later "Come in here
/ want to talk to you," said the
Judge, as he motioned to Walter to
follow him into his private office.
"Sit down. / will come to the
point at once. / am instructed by
client of mine to bring suit against
you. We have the clearest kind of
a case and should certainly win in
courts; but we desire to give you an
opportunity to compromise the mat
ter. You may wish to escape the
no:oriety."
"a suit?" Why, who could want
to sue me2 ! owe nothing; there is
no cause, no grouud-you must be
joking
"Never was more serious. There
is cause, and good one as you
will learn presently. My clients
case is fawless, She
"Shel Ali see, some blackmail-
ing scheme: some advent"
"There, there, don't get excited;
1t is nothing of the kind. The
plaintiff in this case is eminently re-
spectacle, as you yourself will adj
mit.n
Who is she? What is the cause
of action? Why don't you tell me
at once instead Of beating about the
bush.n
"The cause of action is breach of
promise said the old judge impress
sively.
Breach OF promisel Why |
never
Perhaps Walter suddenly remem-
bered something; perhaps he detect.
ed peculiar expression about the
old gentleman's eyes; perhaps q sort
| of revelation came TO him; at any
| rate he checked himself very sud