Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-01-04


comes great change. When at "a
looked back on my childhood and
thought how careless I was of the feel
ings of others, was surprised. Yet ii
must be confessed that what had gained
in one way had lost in another. l had
acquired polish and prevarication; ! had
learned to say pleasant things to young
ladies, and was considered quite an adept
in this respect. Besides, did not scoru
to practice petty impositions, to fattei
them to gain their favor.
soon became tired of society, which
was unfortunate for my mother and sis
tiers, for whom was the only available
escort. Still, was occasionally dragged
by them into the gay whirL One nigh
had been unwillingly appropriated to
escort my sisters to dancing party. 1t
was Christmas night, 1851. l had given
up dancing, and stood looking on with
my arms folded.
''Tom," said my sister Mary, coming
up to me with her cheeks all aglow-
she had just finished dance-"you look
too blase for anything. want to intro
duce you to young lady"
tried to beg off.
"She's a beauty, and SO unusual a
beauty" Mary urged. She put her arm
through mine and led me to the girl in
question. After introducing me she
slipped away.
If ever there was case of love at first
sight, it came to me at that moment. The
girl was indeed beauty; graceful fig
ure, fair complexion, eyes dark liquid
brown, hair soft shade of Titien.
Her first remark startled me.
tits long while since we met, Dir.
Irwin"
''It is indeed" scrutinized her fea-
lures; didn't remember to have ever
seen her before.
"That was noble act of yours"
Twas not only surprised, I was amazed.
remembered no act of my life that
could be called "noble."
"You don't know what I'm talking
about or who am at ALL She laughed
with keen enjoyment. while was no
more enlightened than before.
"How do you Ike the shade of my
hair?" she asked.
"It's very beautiful" / spoke in a
dignified tone. / was becoming vexed
with all this quizzing.
"Iwonder if you would know me by
my old NAME" she said.
TRY me and see."
freddie"
upon my world"
looked at the beautiful creature be-
fore me with i'll concealed astonish-
ment.
"You seem surprised"
"Yes-at-at the singular fate that
brings this meeting
AT nothing else?" she asked, archly.
found no words to reply, SO re-
manned silent
"You don't remember my singed doll,
supposed"
81 have reason to especially remember
that doll It makes me quite sore to
think of it."
"You behaved very chivalrously. And
treasured it, of course?"
"Of course"
She looked at me searchingly. 1t was
evident that she knew was prevaricat-
ing.
SIN that whole school there was but
one who was kind to me-" she said, i'm
pressively.
perhaps some of them would be glad
to show you some attention now"
"Only one was kind. And that one
whom do you think"
81 can't tell"
you"
"For heavens sake, Red"-I stopped
short
"You fought for me-
blushed. l had never considered
that I had fought for her, but that was
obliged to fight.
81 got thrashed."
sThe kindness was all the more ac-
ceptable."
"Iwas not especially appreciative when
you offered me your gift.
"You fought for me-"
There was no one near. We were
standing close together. | felt for her
hand and gave it quick pressure, then
dropped it. In another moment she was
whirled away in waltz by handsome
fellow with a tawny mustache and blue
eyes.
After the last dance and we were go
ing home, I saw her again in her wraps
in the hall.
"May go to see you:" asked.
Eyes" Then, with her eyes swapping,
she added; Come and bring the book
mark. Let me see; I'm engaged every
night for a week. Come New Years
eve.p
..And not without the book mark"
She had just time before the door
closed behind her to give me mischiev-
GUS look, and say, mo.
My position was embarrassing. ! had
permission to call with book mark and
no book mark TO call with.
had no intention whatever of fore
going my call for want Of a souvenir