Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-01-26
MARTNsBURa w. VA, SATURDAY. JANUARY &c. 1895

tired of it. You've been out very
nearly every night lately, haven't
your"
Yes. I'm not tired oft, though;
I like it. But auntie and / are 60
ing to have q quiet evening tonight,
and shall like that just as we'll"
There was pause.
".Are you sure you will like it just
az well?"
q I beg your pardon" said Dolly.
He moved on his chair. " Well"
he said, II want you to come out to-
night with me, If you will"
She looked at him in amazement.
e Out with you? Why, where TOT"
:" The theatre" he responded.
Pleasure shone in her face. She
gasped with delight. "Oh, you are
kind! But do you think auntle will
allow me ~
" I'll ask her." said naughty Tom.
It was really very wrong of him, for
Dolly's parents would have been
scandalized at the idea of their
daughter being seen in theatre.
However, they were not there to see
it. It never occurred to Dolly that
it could be wrong for her to 60 after
Tom had proposed it, and SO, as
Tens parents raised no objections,
they started in due course. The on
ly condition imposed on them land
the sequel proved it q sound one)
was to wrap up well, which they
did.
How dolly enjoyed the perform
ance it is unnecessary to relate in de.
tail. She did enjoy it immensely ;
and she frequently turned to Tom
and thanked him so earnestly for his
kindness in having brought her that
Tom began to feel the ecstacy that
follows virtuous conduct. Her en-
joyment robbed her, for the first
time of her shyness. Her face glow
ed with an unusual animation. There
was color in her cheeks and a
sparkle in her eyes that had not
been there before. When ashy maid
en- does wake up to animation she is
ten times more dangerously attrac.
tive than her vivacious sisters, who
sparkle all day long. Tom thought
his Cousins face more seductiyely
sweet than he had imagined it could
be. He warmed toward her. he nc
longer wanted TO draw her out, tC
flirt with her. He was in love now,
all the way.
They made no haste out of the
theatre, with the result that, when
they reached the street, there was
not an available hanson.
We'd better walk on a bit," said
Tom. 1--WE shall come to one pres
entity"
There had been heavy fall OIL
snow during the performance. and
the pavement of the Strand was all
slushy and sloppy.
"It's rather unpleasant under foot
Dolly" said Tom. "You'd better
take my arm"
She did as she was bid, and imme'
diately experienced a curious sense
of being owned. 1t seemed to hs1
that she belonged to her cousin
While, as for Tom, the soft touch Of
those small, gloved fingers on his
coat sleeve gave him more pleasure
than all his previous flirtations roll.
ed into one.
When they came to Trafalgar
Square Dolly gave little scream o.
delight.
"Oh," she cried, show prettyW
1t was pretty. The whole square
fountains, statues,and ll,wherevel
the snow could find lodging-laJ
draped in white. The portions that
were free from snow looked doubly
black by contrast. 1t was study
| in white, with just little black t.
help it out. Overhead aeecy clouds
| scudded rapidly, and full, brigh
| moon stared down at the giitterins
panorama. The square was as brigh
as day.
"Oh, how beautiful / didn't thinl
London could look so lovely ~
Tom looked at the speaker, ant
| thought her lovelier than the seem
she admired.
"Yes," he said, with his eyes Oh
her face, sit is beautiful, very beau
tiful indeed"
Oh" said Dolly, slet US wall
home. We don't want to take cal
on lovely night like this. / wouldn'
| miss the walk for the world. 1t ISM
far, really, is it ?"
"About MILE" said Tom.
"Only mile. Oh, that is nothing
Let us walk. Shall we?"
decidedly, if you wish il. You'C
better take my arm again." for il
her rapturous admiration she hat
slipped her hand loose, "the street
are slippery"
They walked on for three or fou
minutes. Suddenly Dolly's foo
slipped. Tom, with remarksbl
presence of mind,prevented her froH
| falling hv n,lttino his arm rouud he