Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-12-26

"Hcar me out, father. | Lowell a girl
who would grace the home of any man,
and had reason to believe that she re-
turned my love. A triAiug difference
somehow made GOODNESS between us. !
was in the wrong, B3ing made aware
that had misjudged her, was about
TO seek a reconciliation, when ] learned
that she had fallen heiress to a fortune
which lifted her far above my humble
sphere. have always said that l would
never marry a heiress. Still less would
l lay myself open to misconception now,
when the world would say that her
wealth alone brought about our recon
citation. shall never see her again. ="
"But, Martin
oh, father, l an very misor5olc,'
One moment Martin Carey's head
dropped on the kindly shoulder Of the
old man; then he straightenei up again,
erect and stately as young pine tree.
az you please, sir, you will not speak
OF itagain. Let it die into the past.
You would have liked her, | think. She
is distant relation Of mothers family. ="
"Twan't Ruth Ann Wilcox, who went
to York, teachin' school last fal3n
"No, si,; it was not Ruth Ann Will.
cox.
Aud with this NJ, Carey was forced
to be contented. Evidently, Martin did
not like to be questioned; 50, in his in
most mind, the old man came to the con-
clusion that it must have been deacon
Siah Parsons step-laughter, that was
half-sister to mothers cousin, Job All
ways
But, Martin, he ventureI to say,
after they had skinned along over the
hard, frozen ground for some minutes in
silence, lido you believe you young folks
could have kissed and made friends if it
hadn't been for the money she's fell
heir tor
81 do, father
There, | swow!" cried Farmer
Carey, brandishing his whip-handle.
faint dom justice to her to let this
consumed money part you both Martin,
boy, think twice about it"
II have thought, sir, and my mind
is Gnalterably decided. Could | bear to
be called fortune-hunteri Father, say
no more; it only re-opens the old
wounds, and, although feel your kind
ness from the bottom of my heart, in
deed, indeed, it can do us no good"
From the uhcurtaincd Windows the
rcd freight streamed out across the
! gathering darkness of the fast closing
night, as the sleigh drew ii" ling up in
front of the door, and Martin Carey
/ sprang out.
His mother was at the door to receive
him in true rnotherly fashion, and the
next instant he entered the CHEEKY old
kitchen, whose walls were all festooncd
with wreaths OF hemloek, ivy, and shin
ing laurel leaves, woven in with glowing
scarlet berries
"Why, mother.n he cried, ''this is q
/ genuine Christmas decoration Who
i would have dreamed of there being SO
much skill left in your fingers
faint me-" cried Mrs. Carey, look
ing triumphantly round. "Dcar me-
never could ha' twisted the things to.
gether so cunniugly-it was Viva"
( 'Vivia!'
Martin Carey's handsome Greek face
grew pale as marble, as he repeated the
word. At the same moment light,
graceful little figure glided into tho
room, and came to his side.
YES, Martin, it was l. You'll let me
wish you merry Christmas, won't YOU
And, Martin"
"WeI?'
She stole her little hand softly into
his.
1--WE got Christmas gift for YOU, il
you will accept it-myself."
"Yivia-stop minute. Vivia!1 he ex-
claimed. as this : An, or are you
really standing herel aer the shadow OF
the old roof-tree, lifting the weight from
my hearth Viva, my love, my dar-
ling
Your wife, she in!erposed, gently.
Goh, Martin, would you have allowed 9
barrier Of gold to separate u.s. Hslrsss