Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-02-17

TO sucn Things. among Tue long
list of Greys he found one that at
tracted him more than all the others
a widow, living in quiet part OF
the city, quite near his daily route.
So be sought and found the place
and exact number. Fortune favored
him. Standing at the door he be-
held young girl talking to two lit
tie children. She was not the blue
eyed golden haired girlof his dreams,
but sweet, earnest young woman.
She was bidding the little ones
good bye" They we're off from
her, on the sidewalk when the elder
child sang out, kissing his little dim
pied hand
Goodbye, Annie !"
Edgar Roberts felt as if he would
like to clasp the little fellow TO the
heart. He had relieved him of all
ANXIETY. He had found his Annie
Grey.
From that afternoon twice every
day he passed the home Of the wild
ow Grey, frequently seeing Annie.
This, however, was his only re-
ward. She never seemed at all con-
science of his presence.
What next? How to proceed, on
his fixed determination of winning
her, if possible.
Another bright thought. He felt
pretty sure she attended church
somewhere. So the next Sunday
morning, at an early hour, he was
commandinga view ofAnnie's home.
When The church bells began to ring
he grew very anxious. A few mo.
kments and the door opened, and the
object of his thoughts stepped forth.
Now Edgar felt his cause was in the
ascendency.
Some distance behind, and on the
other side of the street, he followed
ever keeping her in view until he saw
her enter not far distant church.
Edgar was growing happier: and
more confident of final success every
week, when an event came which
promised speedy removal Of all diff
ficulty in his path. The school was
going to have picnic. Then and
there he wovld certainly have an in
PRODUCTION to Annie and after spend
ing whole day with her, he would
accompany her home and win the
privilege Of calling often.
The day of the picnic dawned
brightly, and the happy party gath
cred on the deck of the steamer. The
first person who met Edgar Roberts
eve was his fellow student, Edward
Roberts. Standing beside him were
two ladies and some children. When
Edgar fastened up to speak to his
friend, the ladies turned, and Ed
ward presented:
My wife; my sister, Miss Grey"
Edgar Roberts could scarcely sup
press an exclamation of joy and sur
prise.
Annie was all he had believed her
charming in every way. Edgar
made a confidant of his friend told
him what Edward we'll new before,
but was wise enough not to explain
the mistake-of his hopes and fears;
and won from the prudent brother
the promise to help him all he could.
Accompanying Annie home that
evening, and gaining her permission
to call agaln,he lost no time in doing
so, and often repeated the cal.
Perhaps Annie thought him very
fast in his wooing and precipitate in
declaring his love, when, after only a
fortnight visiting her, he said:
"Annie do you like me well enough
and trust in me sufficiently, to allow
me to ask your mother to call me her
son ?"
Either so happy or SO surprised
was Annie, that she could not speak
just then. But smiles crowded over
her fair face, and she did not try to
withdraw the hand he had clasped.
Annie, love-" he whispered. She
raised her eyes TO his with such a
strange, surprised look in them, that
he laughed and said
You think I am hasty, Annie.
You don't know how long I've loved
you, and have waited for this hour
"Long 1.-TWO weeks" she said.
Why, Annie, it is over three
months since I've been able to think
anything save Annie Grey-eyer
since that night l received my diplo-
ma and your sweet encouraging bou-
quet. Since that night I've known
and loved you."
And then he told her how it was.
And when he had finished, she look
ed at him, her eyes dancing merrily,
and though she tried hard to keep
the little rosebud of mouth demure-
ly shut, it was no use-it would op-
en- and let escape ripping laugh as
she said:
And this is the work my bouquet
went about, is It.? This is the good
it has done me- She hesitated
the roses deepened their color as she
continued "And you"