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

e. full =
SsS Yes, yes, it is very pref
ty. But, dear me, child, ] cannot
help thinking how lily We can spare
so much for such a useless thing. Al
most as much as you can make in q
day it has cost.
"Don't say useless, mother. 1t
will express to Edward our apprecia-
ton of his exertions and our regards.
How he has struggled to obtain a
profession. only wish l could Gov
er the platform with bouquets when
he receives his diploma"
Well, If it will do any good, !
shall not mind the expense"
Mrs. Grey had been widowed when
her two little girls were in their in
fsncy. 1t had been hard struggle
for the mother to raise her children.
Constant toll, privation and anxiety
had worn heavily on her naturally
delicate constitution, until she had
become a confirmed invalid. But
there was no longer a necessity for
her toiling. Katy, the elder daugh-
ter, was married, and Annie could
now return the mothers long and
loving care.
Katy's husband held a position I'M
der the Government, receiving only
sufficient for the necessities of the
present. He was ambitious of doing
better for himself as we'll as his fam
lily. So he employed every spare
hour in studying medicine, and it
was the night that he was to receive
his diploma that my little story be
gins.
The exercises of the evening were
concluded. Edward Roberts came
down the aisle where his wife and
Annie were seated, bearing his flow
ers--an elegant basket tastefully ar
ranged and beautiful bouquet. But
it needed only quick glance for An
ME to see it was not her bouquet.
Although the flowers were fragrant
and rare, they we're not so carefully
selected or well chosen.
Why, where is my bouquet 1
do not see it" asked Annie, a look
of disappointment on her face.
Yours ? / do not know. Did
you send me one?" returned her
brother-in-
Indeed ! did. | suppose it is
the stupidity Of the young man in
whose hands placed it. told him
plain enough it was for you, and
your name, with mine, was on the
card" said Annie.
Well, do not fret little sister,
am just as much obliged and per-
chance some poor fellow not so for
tunate as / may have received it,"
said Annie.
All that night, until she was lost
in sleep, did she constantly repeat +:
wonder who has got it ?"
She had failed to observe on the
list of graduates the name of Edgar
Roberts, from Ohio, or she might
have had an idea into whose hands
her bouquet had fallen.
Edgar Roberts sat in his room
that night, after his return from the
distribution of diplomas, holding in
his hand Annie's bouquet. An ex-
preston of qualification was on his
face.
Annie Greyl Sweet Annie Grey!
never dreamed of any one in this
place knowing or caring enough for
me to send such tribute
And Edgar Roberts fell asleep to
dream of Annie Grey and awoke in
the morning whispering the last
words of the night before:
"Sweet Annie Greyi"
During the day he found it quite
impossible to fix his mind on his
work; mind and heart were both oc-
cupied with thoughts of Annie Grey,
And so it continued to be until Ed.
gar Roberts was really in love with
a girl he knew not, nor had evel
seen. To find her was his fixed de
termination. But how to go about
it? He could not make inquiry
among his gentlemen acquaintance
without speculations arising, and I
name sacred to him then passed from
one to another, lightly spoken per
haps Then he bethought himself 0
the City Directory; he would con
suit that. And SO doing, he fount
Greys innumerable--some in elegan
dwellings, some in the business