Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-01-20

DO strike you % that sort OF person.
The man who wants to marry my daugh-
ter must sue for that honor"
He STUDIED her face hard for q moment,
and his lips settled into thin, straight
line. The tragedy in her dilated eyes
told him the truth, and a naughty anger
against Tom awoke within him. Vir-
ginia's love won and thrown away
seemed an insignificant thing beside the
thought that any man should indulge in
desultory lovemaking with his daughter
and then repent of it. His daughter.
There lay the sting that was unbearable.
1t was after o'clock that night before
Tom entered the house. Delatole and
he We're to leave for visit to the south
in the morning. He could no longer
postpone his going. But how to tell
them? How to say goodby? Would Eir-
ginia remain his friend? Would she I'M
derstand: Oh, she must, she must He
could not bear to think she would hate
or despise him.
As he walked slowly up stairs he met
Mr.. Kent coming down. The old mans
greeting was chilling, but courteous.
Tom drew his breath hard and plunged
into explanations at once. The words
We're feverish, rapid-politc regrets for
his necessary departure, mingled with a
recital of his future plans.
Mr.. Kent heard him unmoved to the
end.
Il don't wish to handy any words with
you, Mr.. Murray he said in calm, col
orless tone. lone thing l must say.
however. When l was young, people
did not repay hospitality as you have
done. Pardon me, if you please. Don't
interrupt Without plunging into stu
pid detail | am sure you understand me-
| will say goodby to you now. You cam
not go too quickly to please me. 1 dare
say you will succeed. The sensitive and
forbearing man is often left in the back
ground, but men of your stamp, never"
He passed down the hall, leaving Tom
hot and indignant. Had Virginia told
him, or did he only guess? 1t was i'm
possible to retaliate, impossible to tell
this selfish dreamer he had never been
his guest. Besides the words did rankle,
oh, so deeply! for, though uttered from
a partially mistaken sense of wrong,
they were true. He had acted a coward
ly part.
His face was worn and reckless as he
turned to the hall window, endeavoring
to conquer the quivering of his pulses
before facing Virginia.
It had commenced to snow again. He
could hear the students practicing new
Christmas hymn in the chapel opposite.
In a moment the years spent in the col
lege, so different from his present life,
passed i'll a series of pictures before him,
and with them the thought of all he owed
Virginia. But for her The Worlds
Way would never have been written.
Looking back, he saw how clearly her
companionship had nerved him to con-
tinual effort. Hers was the voice that
had urged him on, hers the dauntless
optimism that had sent rift of glory
into his darkest days.
An ache rose in his throat; the snow,
in the light from the open chapel door,
whirled mistily before him. Now that
he was actually going the thought that
he was leaving her was exquisite pain.
The familiar landmarks frowned an I'M
bearable reproach.
''What fool 1 ann he thought and
gave his shoulders an impatient shrug.
when I'm with Delatole, [ see I've done
right. When I'm here-pshaw! what's the
use OF these regrets? They lead nowhere.
l can't turn back. l must go on. I'll
never forget Virginia, we can be friends
still, and some day, in d year maybe,
when I'm sure of myself, if she but loves
me, all will somehow come right"
He went first to his own room and sat
down. looking before him ina dazed way.
Would it all come right? Did he believe
that? Was he trying to deceive himself
at the last? Then for the sake of actor
and to keep thought away as much as
possible he put his clothes and books
II his trunk, locked and addressed 1t.
Even when that was done he hesitated.
A tumult seemed striving to tear his
heart asunder. His hands We're like ice
81 must go 20 her. 1 must. Why de-
lay longer:'
He found her leaning against the melo-
deon, her fingers buried in the fur of
thelittle white kitten he had often leased.
Her face was perfectly colorless. She
looked at him steadfastly, coldly and ut
tered no word. 1t was evident she had
heard his voice in the hall and was wait
ing for him.
There was a long and painful silence.
The words that came thronging to Tom
lips We're those he dared not speak.
"You have come TO say goodby," Viz
ginia said abruptly, still bending upon
his face that full, disconcerting gaze Il
heard all you said to father. There is
no need to go over it again"
She held out her hand, and he seized it
eagerly, only to find it cold and unre-
sponsive. Oh, if she but uttered one
pleading word, one reproach, that he
might in some measure defend himself!
But this chillingrepose was wall which
shut him away from her.
DO not misjudge me-" he burst out
passionately, his voice broken, and at the
words she looked away Il am going
away for time to work hard, very
hard. And want to believe that youl
good wishes go with me, that you still re.
main my friend
No reply, but her eyes were upon him
again, as eloquent with reproach as The
eyes of the murdered Caesar gazing OF
the face of Brutus.
That look told all. He felt it in hi:
inmost heart He knew himself con
temptible. But Delatole's worldly wise
humorously cynical counsel was with
him, impressive and significant as the
tenets of a new creed to a convert.
He dropped her cold hand in silence
and half turned away.
IN come and see you very often. Yir
ginia, if may" he said haltiugly. New
York is not wilderness, you know
Whenever my work permits. I'll CONF
and have chat with you, just-just tbs
same
The words died on his lips. He knew
he lied. He knew it would be long err
he should choose to sec her changed face
if indeed ever again.
Her silence maddened him.
"Have you nothing to say. Virginia.
"Goodby," she said. and smiled-bu
suehasmile! There We're agony and scorr
III 1t.
rs that ALP
SLs held up her little head proudly
and again from her pale, tense lips CAM
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