Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-08-20


cheek, "then l think Ethel nigh. learn
to be happy with the New York man."
engaged to somebody else, eh2' said
this unknown contidant "But to whom9
TO yourself, for example?"
"Yes. Why not!" said Milly, with
the utmost gravity. "Merely as bIsi-
ness matter, You know. Wen call it
me-only you must go away, Jim, and
not see her again"
"Stop the horse" he said, quietly.
"Wait until can lift my vaIise out, and
goodby, my little fanceei"
"You are really going7" rapturously
exclaimed Milly, clapping her small,
gauntleted hands. "Oh, jim, how good
of you-how noble! l almost do think !
love you now. And remember, this is
for EthcI's sake"
"For EtheIs sake2" repeated her com
panion, ana he smiled aud nodded. ~
shall reach the station by this cross.cut
through the woods he said, Sin time
for the next down train, and
The close of the sentence was lost in
the clatter of a tinware wagon that Just
then jolted along, melting the Moore
pony to mad emulation, and, before MiIly
could check his enthusiasm, she was
nearly at the tumble down gates OF the
old mansion itself.
Ethel herself was in the tangled rose
garden, gathering white and cream col
ored and royal red roses-Ethel, more
flushed and lovely than any princess
and beside her, under the full radiance
Of the June sunshine, stroljed tall,
handsome young man, carrying the bas-
ktt and the scissors.
EMILY, come here" cried Ethel,
springing brightly forward. Here's
your Cousin JIM
The girl stared blankly at him over
the wheel of the village cart,
No, said she, ''he's an imposter
He's not my cousin. The real Cousin
jim rode halt way up with me and
Jumped off at Beach Corners"
"But, nevertheless, said the Spanish
faced young fellow, mildly. 81 am Jim
Elliott, and [ am your cousin. Ask
Ethel, here, if it isn't SOL
He looked down into Ethel's blue,
sparkling eyes; he drew her slim, white
hand under his arm, with a sort of ten
der proprietorship that startled poor
AHllicent
'If YOU are Cousin jim said she,
slowly, "who was the handsome man
with the gray suit and the dark blue
eyes, aui the little scar over his left
cyebrowl"
is the child dreaming' said Ethel,
with a sweet burst of laughter ''She
talks as if she had seen Doctor James
barrow himself
MiIly never stopped to greet this hand
some, unwelcome Ilinsman of hers; she
rushed frantically to her own room, aud
burying her face in the pillows of her
bed, burst into tears.
"Oh, what have done2" she sobbed.
"What have l dont9 And all for for no
usel7
The next day there came a letter to
Ethel Moore
She trcwned little as she recognized
the handwriting of her affiqnced hus-
band-then she broke it o9en and read
its contents.
"Jim," she murmured to the young
man who lounged in the cushioned win
dow seat
"Weu, my queen?"
'tlt isn't necessary for us to elope now.
IL almost believe love James Darrow
after all. A man that can be as chival-
rous as that
She laughed-an1 then burst out sob
bing as she flung the letter to Cousin
jim.
."Oh, he IL so good-so good!" she
faltered. Gle gives me back my troth.
But mamma Is to have the settlement
Just the same to rebuild Moores Cliff
with, and there is a thousand year for
ne, as long az live. On, Jim, l don't
deserve it. won't take it.
eyes, you WILL said business like
Jim-'you'll take all you can get. We
can't live On air, you know, darling, and
my income IS rather slim as vet. He's a
good old dutfer-"
"Old2' half aagrily interrupted Ethel.
Ono older than yourselfl But what
does this mcan-a5out the ring2 lie SAYS
| am to give it to AliIlicent for herself.
She will know what it meansl Well, if
this isn't the stranges5 riddle!'
AIilly looked detiantly at her sister
when the message was delivered to her.
"But won't take the ring, " said she,
half historically, resisting Ethel's effort
10 sir the superb diamond solitaire on
her finger.
"You must" said Ethel. "Jim's tur
quoise is a deal more precious to me than
this great gem, The wedding is to come
oil just the same, but jim is to be the
groom. On, what are diamonds to me2
l am SO very, very happy
"Aud this is all you care for Doctor
Darrow's noble generosity" said Milly,
with scarlet cheeks and quick coming
breath "Nc, won't wear the ring.
I'll keep it, and-and sometimes look at
it, Oh, what a fool / was And WY
did | say all those thingsl There's only
one thing that remains to mel must go
to work and learn to be great painter
as soon as possible, so that can pay
back the money which mamma and Ethel
are using so mercjIessly."
1t was Just a year afterward, and
Alillicent Moore was sitting on the
ruined stone terrace, feeding her pet
peacock lie Roi with kernels of corn.
Her open sketch book lay beside her,
the sweet summer wind was ruffiing her
curls. when lie Roi uttered discordant
speech and flew away, startled by the
presence of stranger.
Miliy sprang up.
doctor DaTowl' she exclaimed.
"Call me Jim, as you did that first
day said he. Little MIlly, yoI
don't know what you saved me from
when you mistook NE for the cousin
whom you bad never seen. Don't shrink
away so, Milly. Have you forgotten
that you are engaged to mei'
Through all the previous year Mily
had been rehearsing this scene to herself
She had planned the exact phraseolog,
in which she would express her appreoia-