Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-09-05
LOTTIE WALKER.


Walker, pretty and blond, occupied
the first rank, both in talent and in
telligence.
When l began to give lessons at
the academy and whom each of my
pupils was trying to make herself
agreeable to me, she had preserved
a silent and serious demeanor and
remained in the background, ard
only at intervals surprised her eyes
apparently watching me with q
closer interest. She had never given
mo flower, and yet had to confess
to myself against my will that 1
would have cheerfully exchanged my
entire floral collection for even a
leaf from her. She seemed to regain
her wonted animation only when the
lesson was in progress. She was So
rious and assiduous in her studies,
and often when late in the evening 1
happened TO enter one of the lesson
rooms found her still hard ut work
studying her music at the piano. On
such occasions she would turn her
head toward me with a modest smile
and continue praoticing without in
corruption.
One Saturday, the weekly holiday
of the school, entered the hall after
short stroll. ! met her, smiling
and radiant, in faultleSs and fash
ionable summer toilet, leaning affec-
tionately upon the arm of q young
gallant who was conducting her to
the carriage i'll waiting at the open
door. thought that she had never
looked so lovely as in this airy ele-
gance, and II quick, sharp pain pierced
my heart rs she turned her face
from me with an air of indifference
and raised it smilingly to her com.
panion's.
For the first time realized the
full scope of the dangerous passion
had nurscd, and with feeling of
utter detection l opened tho parlor
door and entered tho room to take q
farewell look at her from the seclu-
sion of the shutters. Isaw her pause
lrresolutely on the point of stepping
into the carriage, and with hastily
uttered remark to her escort run
back into the house as If she had
forgotten something. A moment
later she thrust her face in at the
door with look of anxiety, and see
ing me advanced quickly.
"You are not i'll, sir?" she asked.
II believe not, 1 replied. touched
by her strange conduct May in
quire why you ask?"
Il never saw you look 50 pale, and
my reason for coming back was to
apologize for not bidding you good
by she replied. extending her little
gloved hand. Il shall be absent for
two days"
"Goodby, Miss Walker" said,
taking her hand, my eyes resting
eagerly on her face despite manful
effort TO control myself. II hope
you will pass pleasant Sunday"
"A visit which cannot avoid, sir.
Is all, she said family. II should
prefer to remain here"
would have conducted her a.
lar as the door, but she was gone.
saw her decline the proffered hand
OF her escort and step into the car
riage unassisted. l half fancied l
saw her cast a quick, wondering
glance at the window behind which
stood as the horses started off, and
then the carriage passed out of sight
Utterly miserable, went to nv
room in the principals house, and
leaning my head on my folded arms
abandoned myself to succession of
gloomy reflections. A knock at the
door recalled mo to my senses. 1t
was MIR. Johnston, the principal
who laid letter on the table and
asked me if l was ill.,
"Only headache, sir" l said.
lit Will soon pass away"
You should have care how YOU
expose yourself TO the sun. You are
not yet fully acclimated, he said
kindly, quitting the room with be-
nevolent gesture of the hand.
IF he could guess what sun has
caused my illness, thought, OPEN
ing the letter. 1t was from O dea..
friend, who was detailing in a mi
mute way his career in the east, and
whose breezy, humorous style exer-
cised wholesome effect upon nv
spirits, causing mo to smile and
laugh in spite of myself. 1 was sad
and gay by turns as oontrasted his
position OF assured comfort with nv
own uncertain fate.
locked the door and threw nv.
self upon the bed, alternately dream.
ing some chapter from my merry
exploits as n wandering bohemian
IN the west or framing some plausi.
Die pretext for resigning my position
without embarrassing my chances
In the success of some future under.
taking. An insidious feeling of ut.
ter Indebtedness took possession OF
me, and l would have sobbed had
not shame restrained me. felt that
~ was useless to fight the inevita-
bic, and that my only recourse was
to say farewell. So determined. ]
leaned back and closed my eyes. In
this condition ,Lottie's image invol-
unfairly rose before my vision, and
finally abandoning myself to my
haunting thoughts my mind 500
lost itself in a grateful conts
ton of her beauty. Clearl1
the steady, unfathoDa
b she had stu