The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-18

breaths Of the crisp morning air, and
noted with keen, silent, still sort Of
pleasure the signs Of approaching spring.
At her feet and about her little tufts and
patches of dead grass peeped up here
and there above the partially melted
snow, like dingy cases in desert OF
glittering white.
Edna was gay, spirited girl, but at
times, in solitude, her love OF nature
threw a glow of sombre enthusiasm over
her face in place of the usual levity.
Turning her eyes once more toward the
road she beheld the brightness of the
sunlit road, clouded and obscured by the
gloomy shade of slow-moving funeral
procession.
Only an instant before the bounding
blood in her veins. the breath of spring
in the air had suggested naught but life.
Now, with shiver, its complement,
death, threw shadow upon her heart.
Edna closed her eyes, pressed her hand
over them and leaned in subdued atti-
tude with her face on her horses neck.
'Life-Death! Life-Death!
Such is the burden of human BREATH
came in the deep bass of manly voice,
SO near her that she started violently and
opened her eyes Quick as flash the
softened look vanished from her face,
giving way to an angry petulaace.
ssWhy can never be alone for an in
slant but what you must come 70 annoy
mel" she exclaimed.
"Ladylike, as usual" returned the
man, whose tall, stately figure and strong
though not handsome face should haN
elected kinder or at least more re-
spectful greeting. ~ happened to be
driving along on my way to visit pa
tent. The case is not very urgent
one, so you need not look as though you
would soon get rid of me. You see l
fell IN with the end of the funeral, and,
although we doctors are supposed to &C.
casion many, still had no fancy for tag
ging along at the end OF this. Seeing
you wrapped in lofty reverie left my
buggy on the road, quietly walked here,
read your thoughts and supplemented
them with strain on the same subject
.You are wicked wizard! How
dare you say what / was thinking OFF,
she snapped.
Apparently needless of her anger, he
smiled in calm superiority and answered
aThat only adds another to the list
of sweet names that, out of the fulness OF
your amiability, you have bestowed on
me. Wicked wizard that is not so
bad-'W. W. 1t reminds me OF an
inscription on an old tombstone
"Here lies W. W.,
Who will never more trouble you, trouble
you"
az wish you would follow his exam
pie then, i" said she, spitefully.
~ could not lie," he retorted; 81
am not built that way. am constructed
with tlmbers of truth, joists of candor,
boards of honesty, screws of integrity
and nails Of common sense"
.'Spare me-" she cried satirically,
"from further eulogium of the great Il
am,'" and, scorning his proffered aid,
she sprang to her horse, settled herself
across HIM, then glanced at the doctor
defiautly, as, with somewhat scandal
lied expression, he SAID:
~ see you have adopted the divided
skirt"
"Yes, she answered, "and much
more safe and comfortable way | find
this of riding. Ybu, of all people, who
pretend to study health, should be the
first to admire this improved method.
You know full we'll that riding sideways
twists the body, contracts the ribs on
one side. and is wholly injurious. But
no! don't admit it! You are too strait.
laced and narrow minded. The only
broad thing about you is your shoulders, "
she added sneeringly.
81 confess to being narrow minded
enough to esteem propriety and to ad,
mire womanly woman rather than a
tomboy."
'.You would make an excellent prim
old maid, or very proper grandmother.
Pity you miss your vocation by being a
man. Farewell, am off for sail on
the bay" she cried pertly. Then,
touching her horse and waving her hand
| she dashed off. ~ II
He stood few minutes watching the
| flying figure and murmured
pretty, willful child. That fond
aunt has spoiled her Still she has q
warm little heart under all her imperti.
nence. How sweet and good her face
looked before she knew l was here,
Always petted, she resents the slightes;
tone of'authqrity use, and accordingly
detests me. But think will make my
wild bird love me YET" he continued,
closing his rather thin lips with the ex,
preston of man who never admits to
his vocabulary the word fail. "Her
very warmth and eagerness to sting me
shows some feeling, which is far better
than cool indifference.
Meanwhile, as he slowly retraced his
steps to.the buggy, Edna cautered up
the avenue %, her home, Jumped from
her horse and darted into the house,
almost running against amild.eyed, silk.
attired, elderly lady, who greeted her
within