Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-01-18
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MISS Ives 0ld not Beem as surprised az
I had expected. nor did she show any re-
sentiment.
She only seemed to be thinking, but it
was not long before she replied:
81 do not know whether love you or
not. If loved-that other-with the
only real love of my life. then do not
love you; but In
"But tiff what?-
"K that was only passing fancy,
scattered at once and forever TO the
winds by his unworthiness"-
"Oh, tell me that it wasg / inter-
rupted.
This much can tell you, Godfrey"
she said. ~ owe you the deepest graft
tude that woman ever owed to man; and
could the same misfortune befall me as
In my betrothal, and you were the wrong
doer, could forgive you, as never can
him."
"Then you love mel" cried. ''I am
sure you do, for out Of love only could
such forgiveness come"
And, unrebuked, gathered her to my
heart.
asked IL she would be- content to live
at the old country home-she, her aunt,
with mother and me; but. If she would
not, would take her back to the great
city, for I was rich now. A queer look
passed over her features when I said
was rich, causing me to flush and bite
my lip with modification, remembering
how paltry sum $4,000 must appear
to girl who had had $40, 900.
Emily acquiesced in all my PROPOSE
tons and arrangements, and we were
married most unostentatiously at the
old homestead. Emily positively de-
clined to invite any of her friends, so ON
her side her aunt only was present.
Emily declared that she wanted moth
ing that reminded her of her old life.
Mrs. Morton did not like our homespun
ways as well as her niece did, and cheer
ed her days by having number of New
York papers sent to her. never looked
at them, but one day Emily ran her eye
over a newly arrived batch, and sur
prised me by exclaiming in tone of ir-
ritation; f
"Ah, I have not been able to escape
the reporters even herer
AT her words my heart seemed to
stand still. ESCAPED" Reporters" at
ter my wifel What could it mean? To
my rural mind reporters only followed
up those who were wanted" for some
misdemeanor. The horrible thought
flashed through my mind that perhaps l.
had married an adventuress-even q
criminall For knew positively moth
ing about her, and she had been won SO
easily-by simple country boy.
Emily glanced at me and laughed
lightly.
"Why, Godfrey" she said, show pale
you arei And what q look of anxiety
you wearl Here, read what the report.
ers say Of usr'
read the following among the per-
sonals:
"Miss Emily Ives, the eccentric thrice
millionairess, gave the slip to the great
world of society, and was quietly mar
ried on the 23d inst, in -, to coun-
try gentleman of no fortune to speak Of.
Dame Rumor says that on both sides it
was a regular old fashioned love match.
The friends of the fair bride-and they
are legion--are rejoicing that ct least
one American girl has preferred to be-
stow her immense fortune upon one Of
her own countrymen instead of some
titled pauper." WIZ ~1ay a
"Is-is-it true?" gasped.
eyes, it Is true" she answered.
"But why did you tell me that you
were pennilessY ~"
"T never said that, Geoffrey-never. I
told you that had been robbed Of thirty
thousand dollars. You inferred that 1t
was all had" a
"'Why did you not undeceive meT'
because, after my first bitter expert
ence, determined that the man who
next besought me should not know Ihad
dollar. I saw the error into which you
had fallen, and was careful not to disa-
buse your mind of it. How else could
be sure that you loved me for myself,
and not for my moneys"
Then, with bright smile, Emily low
ingly smoothed my hair from my brow,
and added, archly:
"How dreadfully frightened you
looked, dear, at the reporters being after
mel am afraid you are, after all, what
you are so fond of calling yoursef-'a
country pumpkin
"But the happiest one alive" an
swered, snatching her to my heart
4 (-1s r NJ q ~ r.