Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-04-23


way at Glendale station and giving this
letter to my aunt aud cousins, who OK.
pect to meet me there?'
"Why, of course; l should be de-
lighted, " sid Stanly in hesitatiug tone :;
''but the fact is, don't know the ladies
and 1t IS rather awkward introducing
oneself; besides, there's the mail, that
would do the business so much better in
every way"
''Now don't you exhaust yourself at
excuses, Charley. Say the truth tonce,
and own that you are the most consum-
matelY bashful fellow alive. What's the
sense in handsome young gentleman Of
lrrcproachable character and undeniably
good fortune shrinking as you do from
the first approach of society Just because
you are determined to cherish a giIlish
shyness Of strangers, particularly if they
belong to the feminine gender, that has
no earthly reason for it2'
"Well. the truth is l can't make my
self at case with people l don't know"
began Stanly, but Hartley interrupted
him.
Then get to know them, Charley;
nothing is easier
81 dare say not, with you, answered
the other, laughing. you've only been
home from South America fortnight
and have in that short time been intro.
duced to Miss Horizons family and falle |
lrretrievably in love with the Young lady
herself, on which account YOU intend to
dlsappoint your worthy aunt and cousins
OF their long promised visit from YOU.
and want me to accept the difficult posi-
ton OF your ambassador and fire the
family with enthusiasm on the subject of
your very sudden love for and intended
marriage with a young lady they have
never seen"
'Not quite SO bad as that, " exclaimed
his friend, on the defensive. "Oaly
carry the letter and make yourself agree
able for day at Glendale Hall. That
is all Task. My Aunt Fleming is the
soul Of hospitality, and Lulu used to be
the sweetest little thing possible There's
another sister, Maysel, but she's aa in
valid-poor, dear girl, md as shy and
retiring as you are, if my memory serves
nc"
Stdnly was one of the lundest fellows
alive, 1t was very plain that Hartley
wanted him to stop at Glendale, and his
impulse was to oblige him, if possible,
though it must be at a strong personal
sacrifice. They hal been partners in a
South American shipping house, aud
having gained handsome fortune in
successful business had each returned
home to enjoy his wealth in his own
way.
Stanly meant to make his mother and
a young artist brother Supremacy happy
through the medium of his money, and
Hartley, who had but few relatives, and
those distant, intended enjoying life
generally.
He had begun by falling in love while
his companion was busy charging and
identifying the old homestead as sur.
prise to his mother, who had accom-.
panied her younger son abroad to study
art and was was expected to return il a
few days.
"The steamer is due on Thursday or
Friday. Go to Glendale on Tuesday
that's good fellow" urged Hartley,
persuasively.
"Well, | will; but ii l make an awk-
ward mess OF it and prejudice your good
aunt and her little girl against the lovely
Miss Horton | trust you will impute it
to my clumsy, stupid manner and not to
any lack of good will or zeal in the
cause, y said Stanly, half laughing, half
in earnest.
"only promise me to go, my dear
boy, and | will gladly assume the CON
sequences, said his friend.
And so it was agreed upon between
them that Charley Stanly should start a
day earlier and, meeting his friends rel
atives at Glendale station, shorll ac-
company them to the hall, spend the rest
of the day with them there, aud descant
of Charles Hartleys beautiful betrothel,
his wonderful good fortune in winning
such lovely creature, and the certainty
of his future happiness in her society.
"Of course you will tell them how
Hazel longs to love them aud how
sure they are to like the dear girl when
iacy meet next month" was Hartley's
concluding charge, as he saw his friend
IN the cars, with innumerable directions
for gaining the family favor, and a large
sized envelope containing his own az
count to his aunt of his marriage en-.
gagement.
"Hello!" said stanly to himself, feel