Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-04-28

accept your invitation with graft
tude," he replied.
Vincent continued his walk alone
after visiting Gideon Danes grave,
Miss Dane excusing herself and re-
turning TO the house. He ate his
supper also in solitary state with
Miss Chatworth, who invited him to
play cribbage afterward.
At 10 o'clock he ventured to ask
if Gwendoline was not at home. Miss
Chatworth opened her mild eyes and
explained that Miss Dane had ridden
to Queenstown during the afternoon
and would not return until the next
morning.
She means TO avoid seeing me
again." thought Vincent, with an
noyance, and strange to say the an
noyance was keener thar he felt in
the determination to give up nice
property to which he had so unex-
pectedly acquired title.
He was wrong, however, in regard
to Gwendoline's intentions. The
following morning was rainy, and
when he descended TO the breakfast
room Miss Dane was standing before
the fire. In her new black gown,
with tue white hound standing close
beside her, she looked imperially
calm and handsomer than ever.
Vincent's own fine face brighten
ed. / was afraid you did not mean
to see me again. he said frankly.
II feared you were Disguised with
your new found cousin"
"You we're wrong" she said grave
ly. " l went to Queenstown in your
interests. have destroyed the will.
As the only surviving members of
the Dane family, the property be-
longs to us jointly by law. As for
the few requests, thought you
would not object to carrying out
grandpa's wishes. For the rest we
stand as though the will had never
been made"
"You have destroyed the will -
exclaimed Vincent, but"
What is done can't be undone,"
she said, unmoved.
"An1 what shall you do now ~
he asked with uncomfortable sur
prise.
elf it seems to you worth while,
shall advise you to stay and get
the property appraised and things in
shape. I should like to keep the
place if there is anyway of arrang-
ing it,"
"But surely you will not live here.
You must see the world"
ooh, have seen 1.-THE world OF
London and Paris and Washington.
have been grown up these five
years."
Vincent gave up his proposed
journey for that day. He set to
work with Gwendoline examining ac-
counts.
The morning passed and other
mornings in the came fashion. In
til afternoon the thoroughbred
h3rses sere brought to the door and
he and Miss Dane, followed by a
parry dogs went galloping over
the coun ry.
4 zaod many of these April days
wcn b. in this fashion. Gwepdo-
line took him over the landmarks OF
her life. Here was a hollow tree
where she spent the night once-she
was lost in fog on the mountain.
Were you alone 2"
"Oh, no; Blanche was with me-"
"Could she have protected youH'
Certainly? Do you doubt p
She looked at the dog, who felt her
self the object of conversation and
posed for orders. The delicate limb.
ed, pink nosed creature was trans
formed. She glared at Vincent,
whom she had never taken to, and
showed the fine, ferce-pointed teeth,
every limb stifened the brown
flecks in her eyes flashed like flakes
of fire. She uttered an almost inau-
dible growl. Gwendoline had to knee
down before the creature to pacify
her.
"You can fancy what she would
do at the word of command" said
Miss Dane, rising.
Yes said the young man, with
something like shiver running
down his backbone.
One day they went higher up the
mountain than ever before.
This is where I shot a wild cal
once" said Gwendoline. Tia
pleased grandpa. How the creatur,
| glared at me Butsometimes I hav,