Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-10-31


"It was runnin' three hull weeks ago"
SAID the native.
my timetable says Continuing to
Claremount from such date as shall be
appointed, and that's little vague"
said the young man, firmly. 81 didn't
suppose that the date had been ap-
pointed"
"You might "a asked" said the ma
tive, with sternness.
"Yes, might" was the meek re-
spouse.
"Where did you reckon the train was
a-goin to, anyhow, when she pulled out,
and you a-standIn' herel"
81 didn't know, didn't imagine it
was to Claremount.
He was crushed, wilted; but his
twinkling eyes were on Isabel, whose
lips were quivering in smile. They
laughed
"Humph!' said the native, with open
scorn.
"Don't be hard on me-" said the
young man, timorously. "'l'm not used
to tie steam cars.
The native softened to grin.
give never been off the farm till this
year, the young man pursued, his ex-
preston pensive, ''But We had a mid
ding good onion crop, and thought I'd
strike out little. got all mixed up,
though, on the steam cars The footing
scares me, and the way the cars rattle
and"
"Let upin said the native, reddening
little under his tan, while his grin
broadered. "Mebbe | was rather
rough-spokeu. But landl think O. any
body's gettin' off here to the junction
without no stage nor nothin' to meet
EN-. Why, there amt no house within
quarter Of mile, there amt"
"If you viii assist me in getting my
trunk on nay shoulders, l will set forth
for the Claremont House at once, then"
said the victim, gravely.
Isabel was laughing almost mirthfully.
1t struck her, some time afterward, as
being strange that she had not driven on
with indifference and dignity-her
proper course, she afterward reflected.
But she sat frankly absorbed in the
unique humor of the situation--c andidly
interested aud sympathetic.
Beside that, Isabel was not accustomed
to being Immediately well impressed by
young men; but something there was
about this one that gratifed her exacting
tastes.
Looking at him refectively, while she
appeared to be looking at the native, she
came to the astonishing conclusion that
it was everything about him-his good
looks, his well bred air, his cleverness of
tongue, his good nature, his ready humor,
his gentlemanly attitude Of deep respect
toward herself.
She cast her pretty eyes down, for fear
she should smile too frequently and
brightly.
"Wal, guess it needn't come to that -
said the native, restored to good humor.
81 stopped yc, miss, to find out whether
you can't be so 'bliging as to send some
body round here fer this trunk when you
git back to the Claremont2 You hain't
no objection
"None, said Isabel, sweetly. 'I'n
be glad to be of use. 1t is an awkward
situation.
81 am too grateful to you both to be
able to express myself in coherent
words p the young man cried, feryently.
81 owe you debt can't repay. 1t was
good of you to think of it," earnestly,to
the native, "and good of you to con.
sent, warmly, to Isabel.
"But'- his humorous twinkle re-
turned he looked anxious and coaxing,
stammering and reddentng the while
"but why can't go with you and give
the older2 don't believe my trunk will
walk away"
The native coughed aud chuckled.
"No, 'twont. can keep an eye on it
from where I'm chopin yander, an l
will.
He shook hands with the object of his
displeasure, and winked his impudent
congratulations.
Isabel moved to the other side of the
seat, and the martyr to his own needless
ness stepped in. He took the lines with
a pIaeticed, easy air, and rested one elbow
on his knee, and gave himself to the oc-
cupation Of entertaining his rescuer.
Her eyes looked forth darkly from the
depths of her fowery big hat; her cheeks
were beautifully pink, and she was smil-
ing.
The loveliness of the day seemed to
have increased, the sunlight lay in CLINT
ing yellow bars, and the breeze was re-
freshing and the scent of many road
side flowers was sweet.
Carrie was just finishing a set; Mrs.
Mitchell was reading on the piazza.
She threw her book into an oleander tub,
and gave high pitched little shrek as
the dog-cart came up the drive-a
shrek of Joy.
There you are!" said Isabels passen-
ger, joylally.
And he sprang to the ground, entwin-
ing Mrs. Mitchell in strong arm, and
gave her two sound kisses.
She was portly, comedy woman, in a
highly becoming lavender chalIis gown
with black ribbons handsome and
distinguished looking matron.
'Jim!" she cried, repeatedly and
blissfully, show did you happen to come
so soon? You said in two weeks. And
where did Miss Hatton come across YOU
l can't understand it! l never heard
of anything SO delightful-ncver.
She was beaming at them all. And
Isabel was widely staring.
81 got through with the work that
wGs keeping me, and came right along
to my dear aunt" said Jim, calamity.
"And about Miss Hatton-this was how
it was"