Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-08-16

| for you Frank, do play something, IKE
a good fellow. As for me, want tc
finish The Girl It's perfectly delight
full"
So Viola and Splinter strolled into the
other room and sat there talking for 8
long tire. Miss Lansing did not know
when she had enjoyed book SO much,
it was so original you know, so unique.
Splinter knew that such an opportun-
ity would probably never occur again.
Dexter was singing, aud therefore their
remarks were in no danger of being over
heard. While Dexter in his sonorous tenor
was informing the community at large
that he was "0'Donohue of the Square,
John Haverstraw Splinter asked Viola
Lansing to be his wife
She blushed, of course, and hung her
head down, but before she could give
any definite answer, Mrs Lansing broke
in suddenly upon them. Mrs. Lansing's
pleased appearance had undergone sud
den change. She looked Enthusiastically
angry as she advanced toward them with
copy of 49, -~---i -~r>A- a. .L, f-nr+ IA na
in her hand.
''Mr. Splinter" she exclaimed, sis
this true2 Are you really married mani"
"What, mammal cried Viola, spring
ing to her feet.
"Why, my dear Mrs. Lansing. of
course not. What makes you think -"
"Indeedl Then how does it happen
that you have dedicated this novel to
your wife2 Read that, Viola"
She held the book up SO that both of
them could see and pointed with her
forefnger to an inscription on the opening
page.
''To my wife, whose unwavering love
has ever proved my source of inspiration,
this little volume is affectionately in
seribed by the author"
For just one instant Splinter stood
there striving vainly to frame some words
of excuse. Then, as Viola fell fainting
into her mothers arms, he tore into the
hall and, Selling his hat, rushed breath
lessly from the house.
That night, and the day that followed,
seem all blur to Splinter. He boarded
a train, he remembers, and after long
journey he reached Rosie's home.
The servants said that she was down
in the garden, and there he found her
curled up costly in the hammock looking
prettier than ever. There was bunch
of dog roses pinned into her belt, and
somehow all of sudden, the charms of
Viola began to wane.
why, John, you dear old fellowl"
she cried, 'where under the sun have
sou dropped from3"
And then Splinter sat down there and
told her of all his troubles from begin
ming to end-all except the Lansing
episode, which he omitted for reasons
of his own. And when he had fin
ished there were actually tears in her
eyes.
son, I'm so awfully, awfully sorry,
John, she said. 81 was very foolish,
but l wanted to make the people think
that it was actually written by a man.
And so did everything | could to even
down to that dedication. And yours
was such lovely long name, John, that
l.
They went up to the house in little
while after that and had an interview
with Aunt Samantha. Then long let
ter was written to Frank and another to
Mrs Lansing. After that Splinter came
to the conclusion, seconded by Aunt Sa-
mantha, that he might as well stay there
for week or two.
1t was about week later that when
they were down by the hammock again
Splinter remarked:
81 say, Rosie"
eyes"
''Do you remember what you said
about my name being so long2"
eyes, John"
81 say, Rosie"
"Yes, Johu-what2"
''Do you think it's long enough for
two?"
After a little consideration, Rosie said
that she though 1t was, aud then Splinter
said that he'd ask Frank to be his best
man--only, of course, there must be no
more novel writing, you know.
Rosie agreed, and what's more, she has
kept her word.
Nowadays there's little scrap of very
red humanity around the house, which
succeeds in keeping her hands full. As
for Aunt Samantha, she considers it the
most marvellous child that ever was
born. 1t was only last night, that, glanc-
ing from the baby, asleep in its cot, to
John Haverstraw, reading his newspaper,
she exclaimed to Rosie:
"Now, take my word for it, Rosie,
that child will prove a chip of the old
block"
But Rosie, shaking her head, answered
with a laugh: "Not chip, auntie-just
splinter. "-New York Sun.