Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-01-18

The effect was most unexpected. AZ
the conclusion of the hymn she sprang
to her feet with look Of amazement
almost of indignation.
"How came you, stranger" she de-
manded. imperiously, ito know my sto-
ryr'
Twas astonished In my turn. but replied
calmly:
~ know nothing Of your story. Miss
Ives
"Then, how came you to choose n
hymn to fit it so exactly Ahl seel My
aunt has told YOU"
"Your aunt has told me nothing. as
sure you, Miss Ives; but 1t Is easy to see
that you are unhappy, and selected o
hymn that I hoped might comfort YOU"
II understand" she replied, sitting at
the side of the piano. ~ thank you for
your sympathy; and since I have be-
trayed that have story-will you
hear itY'
"Gladly-most gladly" l answered,
inwardly rejoicing that, by an accident
In the choice of hymn. I had induced
her to bestow upon me her confidence,
believing that one should
Give sorrow words;
The grief that does not speak
weispers the o'erfraught heart y.
And bids 1t break.
II am desolate, bereft, alone" she be-
gun. "My desolation was wrought by q
man who came into my life only TO
wreck it. Twas an orphan, with no. ela-
tives but my aunt, who has not strength
enough of character to control or guide
so obstinate and headstrong girl as j
am. The-the-man"-she paused, grew
white, shuddered at the recollection;
then by an effort mastered her emotion
and went on--"was cashier in bank
where had on deposit considerable
sum of money. We met frequently, and
I was fascinated by him. He protested
to love me, and we became engaged. My
aunt did what she could to prevent my
marrying him; but as she could urge
nothing against his character she was
forced to fall back upon the time hon
ored and to me contemplate platitudes
that he was my social inferior-'only a
bank clerk and poor paid no heed
to her. loved him, and love levels all
barriers. Our wedding day drew near;
and as I wished him to make good ap-
pearance and not to feel hampered rs to
means to make himself presentable, T.
gave him blank check, signed, and told
him to fill II up for three thousand dol
lars. he filled it up for the entire
amount I had in the bank and fed to
(,...J. ~o,.aotaJ l,ta ftaPt ord al
lowed the world to think that from pure
caprice, coquetry, fickleness-what you
WILL had broken off the match almost
at the foot of the altar. 1t was readily
believed that, heart broken Mt my treach-
cry, he had gone away to try and bury
his grief"
"Try to forget him-forgiveness win
follow"
"How shall set about it," she asked.
"Begin." said, "by casting aside
those emblems of mourning which you
wear. Go out into Gods sweet air and
sunshine, and you will soon return to
healthy and normal state Of mind"
81 thank you." she said, simply. IT
will try"
AhC ntAt blttlnOOil, Will rOiiC
givings as to the answer, proposed that
we should make a sort of family party
and visit a few places Of interest in the
neighborhood. To my surprise and de-
light the invitation was accepted. lob
served with great qualification that Miss
Ives no longer wore mourning, but n
suit of delicate pearl gray
Mother could hardly conceal her graft
fication at my success, and Mrs. Morton
fairly bubbled over with joy.
September came, and still our city
boarders showed no inclination to leave
us. Emily's cheeks had resumed their
pristine bloom, the roseate hue of health.
had loved her from the first, and, as
the charm and beauty Of her mind and
character unfolded themselves to me,
adored her. The social difference be-
tween us, my country breeding, above
all, my poverty, held me tongue tied.
And 80 October came-that loveliest of
all months in the country-and with it
a not altogether unexpected windfall for
me. A suit which for years had been
dragging along in the courts was at last
settled in our favor, and mother and
divided the snug sum of $4,000 between
us. The homestead was partly mine,
and would be entirely SO at my mothers
death. Why, why, / was richl laughed
aloud in my glee; and Miss Ives was
poor. Now, why should not speak?
Come what might, j would know my
fate, and end the suspense which was
eating my heart out. And at last my
well guarded secret escaped me. told
her that 1 loved her, and-appalled too
late at my temerity-waited for her to
pronounce my doom or lift me into para
disc.
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE.