Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1891-02-21

try. Birds are singing matln songs,
and twittering Ger head. Bees are
humming by, ladened with the spoils
of rose and jasmine. The leaves are
twirling restlessly in the soft wind.
The river, winding in and out among
the fields of grain and bordering
woods, reflects in its bosom the glim-
mering glory of the setting sun, and
the dull gray of the jutting cliffs.
Natures face wears a look of easy
contentment, and beauty, her hand
maid, walks airly over. the landscape.
Seated at the foot of an old apple
tree in the orchard, commanding a
view of river and valley below her,
is Kittis Lee, prettier than all the
beauty surrounding her. The soft
glow of declining day brings into
prominence the pretty head, with its
proud poise and dark curls, mellows
the regular face, with its rosy cheeks
and dimples. Of all the girls Of
Clearspring township none can COM
pare with Kiitte Lee, and none has
brighter prospects, more charming
surroundings.
Stretching around her for miles,
rich in grain and mineral, lie the
broad acres of the old Lee home
stead. Well stocked it is, and SER
wants are ever near to answer her
merest wish. She is heir apparent of
it all. If any girl should be happy,
it should be Kittie.
She is far from happy, however.
Her large, hazel eyes are not drink.
ing in the beauty Of the landscape.
She does not hear the low chattering
of the birds, or the soft hum of the
bees. A close observer will notice
tear strains on her cheeks and per-
picking appeal on her face.
Kittie Lee is face to face with the
most trying ordeal of her young life.
She not only loves, but is doubly
loved. Two proposals have been
made for her hand within the day,
and here IN the orchard, in the hush
and quiet Of the afternoon, she is
making decision that will perhaps
bring blessing and joy to one heart,
and fasten anguish and despair on
another.
She looks far away, where acre up
on acre OF land, rich in q wealth OF
grain and woods, join those Of her
father,-on the neat country resi-
dence OF Jack Rawley-and tries to
decide if she loves their prim aristo-
cratic young owner, who dotes on
| his fast herses, blooded stock, and
| dignified family connections. She
recalls as she has an hundred times
during the day, his brief words OF
proposal:
"Kittie Lee, you are very dear to
me. We were playmates in child
hood, and have been friends through
all these years. The old homesteads
join. I love you, and ask you to
be my wife"
He was handsome and rich. They
had secured the country on horse
back and passed the years a great
deal in each others company. His
family was one into which the elite
of the county would gladly have
married. Girls smiled their sweet
est when Jack was near, and men
never tired Of paying him compli-
ments. Mothers recognized him as
the "catch" of the times, and entered
into many schemes aand intrigues,
with Jack as the central object.
Did she love him? Could she re
fuse riches and position, when laid
at her feet?
Her gaze wandered to the left,
where the smoke hung over the city.
She could hear oft and anon the
shrill whistle of engines, and the
| muff1ed tone Of bells. In imagina-
ton she stood at the window of the
banking house of Sheer & Co., and
peered in. Raymond Flood was
busy with the books. In the glow
of the electric light, she saw his pale,
handsome face, with care and pa
thence written on it. It was an at
tractive face. 1t showed lines Of
courage, truth and honor-a face
that would attract attention any,
where. A smile was on his lips, and
she rightly guessed he was thinking
of her. Tears arose to Kittie's eyes
as she thought Of Raymond. That
morning in gentle, half-apologetic
voice, he had ayowed his love for
her. He had no fortune to lay at
her feet. From early youth his only
teacher had been adversely. He had
naught to offer but pure love; he
asked only to be permitted to shield
her from the cares Of life, to feel that
in the future she would ever be with
him, strengthening his ambition,
urging him onward and upward.
Could she ever forget that voice,
those pleading eyes of deepest blue,
that flushed and manly face, that
strong. uuiYerinc form2 There Was