Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-04-28
GWendoIine Dane.
A LOVE STORY,
BY MRS. W. H. PALMER.
BY MRS. w. H. PALMER.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK. }

VINCENT looked from his wig
dow the following morning upon a
scene which remained long after in
his memory. The April sunshine
flooded the country. The grain was
springing, the orchards in bloom.
The lane through which he had come
last night had a border of magrolias
just in bud. In the distance the
mountains rose IN warm tints of pur-
pie and gray.
He descended to the parlor. The
breakfast table was laid, the win
dows wide open, and in the flooding
sunshine Miss Dane and Miss Chat
worth were examining the black
gowns in which the family were to
be dressed for tbs dead master.
Later came the lawyer from
Queenstown and the old minister
from Barmore, and Gideon Danes
last will and testament was solemnly
uDsealed and read aloud. Gideon
Dane was a man of substance. He
owned broad, rich acres, flour mills
and herds Of cattle. Besides he hal
numerous investments which were
duly described. And he gave and
bequeathed all these things to his
next of kin, Gwendoline Dane and
Alex Vincent, with the hope that
"their ages being suited and their
interests one, their lives and destin-
les might be united" The lawyer
read these words in a distinct, for
NAL tone and paused. There was a
stir of sensation through the little
company, and Vincent and Gwendo-
line were the only two who did not
EXCHANGE glances.
At noon there was a grand dinner
served. Soon after the guests mount
ed their horses and rode away. Vim
cent lighted acigar and strolled down
the lane under the budded magno-
las.
The secret was out. Old Gideon
Dane had chosen to provide a pre-.
tector for his heiress in this medie-
val fashion. They had queer notions
these Southerners, regarding family
Obligations.
Turning, he saw Gwendoline and
her great white hound Blanche COM
ing slowly toward him.
Would you like to see where
grandpa is buried ?" she asked.
He assented and was about to
throw away his cigar.
Don't throw it away" she said a
little nervously. "Can't you treat
me"-and she laughed shortly" as
if were man or at least as if you
were under no restraint in my pres
ence ?"
"No," he said, a cannot. The
cigar is no sacrifice"
But" she said, as he walked by
her side, "we have got to be quite
frank with each other, and we might
as well throw overheard as many
formalities as we can. Don't you
think so 2"
Possibly"
They walked on in silence, the dog
dropping her delicate pink rose
within Gwendoline's palm.
Mr.. Vincent" said the young
lady at last, " l had no intimation of
the precise nature of my grandfath-
er's will, or l should not have sent
for you as I did, even though 1 SIM
ply obeyed his injunctions. What /
want to say is that the clause which
places me under your protection is
no way binding, as OF course you
know, and for the sake of simplify
ing things l wish to say that will re-
gard it as if it had not been written"
Unquestionably you have such a
right-to ignore this clause-legally
and morally, Miss Dane. For my
own part do not feel so free. I
need not particularize, but permit
me to say l haYe made a decision.
l shall make no claims to the estate
under your grandfather's WILL"
She turned slightly pale. You
feel that your inheritance is condi-
tional ?"
"Yes.n
81 beg you not to think SO. The
last thing that grandpa would have
wished that we should marryn--her
lovely complexion turned paler still;
she held her proud head aloft, the
full lips trembled and her soft, dark
eyes met her companions without
wavering-" unless we liked each
! other"