Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-12-17

So half laughing, half crying, Luz
sy dismissed him, and both the Col
onel and Mr.. McAllister said good
| by with sigh of relief. The saga
cious Lucy had a reason for the con-
dition she imposed. Oyer and above
the difficulties of correspondence
to which her father would object,
she wanted to test her lover. Mar
ried ladies', often prone to dismal adj
vice, had snifngly told her of the
inconsistency ofman, and abe had
also read it in novel poems, so she
thought that an experiment should
be made.
If We begin by writing to each
other" she argued to herself, s. he
won't have q chance OF forgetting
me but as there is no communica
ton between US for some time, then
that will show whether his affection
is sincere
Left alone in the field, good, hon
est MeAllister could make the run
ming at his own pace; but somehow
he never seemed to get any nearer
the winning post.
But the three months never pass
ed, for one fine day the Colonel with
a white face and broken bones, was
brought back in dhooly from the
parade ground (his horse had fallsn),
and though the bones were soon
mended, complications set in, and
the doctors ordered him home-"i in
ternal injuries never get right in
this place; voyage will give him
strength" etc. Then the poor man
told Lucy that she really had better
make up her mind, that he could ill
afford the expense of taking her to
England, and reminded her that she
did not get on too easily with her
stepmother, who was looking after
the boys. And Lucy did make up
her mind. She wrote straight to
George that afternoon telling him
everything
hope it isn't very unmaidenly,
dear, but there is no time to stand
upon formalities. If you still care
for me, il you think your position
sufficiently hopeful to justify marry
ing, come down at once or write.
But if" here tear would fall on
the paper" you find that for any
reason it cannot be, then don't an
swer; | shall understand"
II was three days. post to Georges
station, and Lucy told her father
she would think over the matter and
would give HIM defnate answer in
a week. The sixth day came and
the poor girl was trembling with ex-
element; the seventh and she could
scarcely keep still for . moment.
But the post came-and no letter.
At first feeling OF plumbing despair
seized on her, but she Immediately
rallied.
How stupid | am ! There may
not have been time to catch the mail
or George may have been out shoot
ing"
So to make sure, and leave enough
margin, she begged her father for
three days grace, for she never
doubted George. But the days
passed and still no sign.
GA very short engagement, my
DEAR" said the majors wife to her
bosom friend, "but you see the poor
dear colonel must be of at once
can't wait any longer the doctors
say, and it is everything to have
Lucy settled before he goes. / wrote
and told George Farleigh it was COM
ing off-an awful blow for him poor
fellow, unless he has forgotten al
about her, which is probable"
But he had not forgotten all about
her, and for hours after receiving
the good lady's information he sat
like one in dream. Then he shook
himself together, and in due course
read the domestic occurrence in the
paper quite calmly. The McAllister
and George Farlelgh never met, for
he went into the political line, and
went from one native state to anoth-
| err without once returning to his for
msr presidency. But he now and
again heard of them-how they led
an apparently happy life in q quiet
way, no particular love perhaps on
her part, but sincere attachmentto
her husband. And presently Neal
lister retired and settled in Eng
land.
| 1t was just fourteen years since
George left his regiment. He had
| got on we'll, and was now resident at
the court ofinbscile prince with an
unpronounceable name. It was 4
hot night and his solitary dinner
was scarcely over when the days
post came in--the English mail with
it-so he lighted cigar and left the
table for long arm chair in the YER
anda. The bearer placed the lamp
conveniently and retired to doze.
The first letter that caught his eye
was from the postmaster general,
and, wondering what he functionary
could want with him, he opened it
before looking at the English letters
and newspapers. The following is
/ what If said.