Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-12-12
NED.

stared at Ned, as he lay comfortably
stretched out on the grass Then l
began to laugh, and laughed until the
tears came.
You find it amusing, do you?"
ouoth Ned, coolly. well, it is fun
nv, and l became hilarious myself
when the idea first struck Inc. ran
against 1.-THE idea that / loved you,
YOU know-last night. and it really
knocked me over. Such an une1pect-
ed blow was enough to fell an OK,
much les. a delicate individual like
myself. But no more laughing, Vivi-
an: this is a serious talk, and laugh
ing is inappropriate to the occasion -
Whereat l laughed more than ever,
and exclaimed:
"Oh, you ridiculous fellow"
Yes, you are right; you show your
usual sound judgment in pronounc-
ing nv conduct ridiculous. 1t is re-
ally madness to bestow my affections
on a person SO unable to appreciate
their value. But, vi, l have discov-
cred that no human being is exactly
sane on all subjects, and l am Just
now developing the conviction that,
strong as my mind is, it has its weak
points. "
"Oh, yes, certainly" l said, laugh
ing still. II thank you very much
for so honoring me, Mr.. Wharton.
Not at all, my dear girl, he an
swered, calmly, raising himself on his
elbow. "Of course, am aware that
could do a great deal better than to
marry you. But l am tSnder-hearted,
YOU see; and, being certain that II l
do pot take you, you are likely to be
left. Oh, you needn't glare at me
you know very we'll, Vivian, that
vour nose is awfully freckled, and it's
not every fellow who is willing to bur-
den his life with freckle-nosed wife
Not to mention the color OF your hair,
which, il not the true and unadulter-
ated red"
There am tired Of your imper-
tinent nonsense" | interrupted.
You can stop out here under the
trees, and smoke as long as you as
wish; l am going in the house"
He started up and caught my hand,
saying solemnly:
Remember, Vivian, no more flirt-
ing with Father Gregg. will not
permit it. AS you are my betrothed
now, have and will assert my rights.
You must bid him leave you forever;
such is my command. Now you may
90 into the house, while / will remain
here and console myself for the sacri-
flee l have this morning made by
smoking a cigar"
He raised my hand to his lips and
would have kissed it, but, snatching
it away, while a blush covered my
face, l exclaimed
Really, Ned, you are carrying your
nonsense too far" and, turning, l
walked with great dignity to the
house.
1t was a warm, bright June day, so
| seated myself in the veranda. From
INV position / could see Ned stretched
At full length near the great oak that
was the pride of our lawn. He was
lazily smoking and gazing in a con-
templative way upward. Looking
for birds nest in the tree, perhaps,
thought; yet, smile as might, the
foolish fellows declaration, ridiculous
as it was, would haunt my mind.
Ned Wharton and / had known
each other since our babyhood. His
parents lived just across the street,
and our house was second home to
him. We had been friends all our
lives, and had quarreled and made up
almost every week. Now he was %,
and | not yet 90, and to-day, for the
first time, he had declared he loved
me-but in such fashion And yet
| fancied there was something more
than his usual careless fun in his
words. or course, didn't love Ned
certainly not-in that way, and !
wished he had not talked in such a
silly manner.
Just then, Ned rose and came to,
ward Inc.
See" he said, "here comes Mrs
and Miss Gregg-they probably in
tend to reproach you for trihing with
their son and brother. l don't wish
to witness the distressing scene, so III
depart"
He took few steps forward, and
stopped. "Oh, have set the 25th oi
October for our wedding-day; don't
forget"
So saying, he passed through the
hall and left the house by the back
| door.
| did not see Ned again that day
but early the next morning he came
in to give me some wonderful tidings
His sister Kate, who for the past
three years had been studying music
in Boston, was expected home, and
would bring a friend with her.
Kate writes that Miss Lillian Marks
lovely name, isn't tits most fas
cinatiug creature, and warns ME o.
the danger l run Of becoming desper
ately smitten with her. So, Miss Viv
ian, you'd better beware how you lac
crate my feelings, or may fly to Mis-
! Marks for consolation
when will Kate get here!" l asked
disregarding his closing remark.
The sixth of July is the fatal da,