Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-06-29
PatriCe C Go.

Mr.. Alexander Paxton was in town
for six weeks. He had been charge
d'affaires for an intolerable time at a
certain small capitalize city had
seemed at all times the reverse Of a
capital to Paxton-and now this
morning he was having an interview
with an important person.
The new birth was twice as valu-
able as the last, and the heart of AL
exander Paxton beat pleasantly.
Even in the diplomatic service-pro.
motion sometimes comes.
"You are married, l think, Mr..
Paxton p said the important person.
"You must bring Mrs."
Excuse me-" said Paxton, flush
ing, "No, am not yet married"
ooh !" But the person seemed
scarcely inclined to credit the asser-
ton. 1t confiicted with an impress
sion-erroneous, but still an impress
sion-that he had got into his head.
ooh, that's singular, now"
cit is singular" confessed Pax.
ton.
81 should have preferred a mar
ried man for the post" The person
blew gently on the edge of his eye
glass snatch Of a popular air. 81
should have much preferred-very
much preferred-in fact, I'm afraid
in this case it's almost indisp9nsa-
ble."
cts an omission that can perhaps
be remedied if you think it would
be advisable" interrupted Paxton
hastily.
He became quite nervous at the
mere thought of losing the appoint
ment.
81 do. I do" with an air of great
relief. '''Thank you, Mr.. Paxton.
That's better. You'll hurry affairs
on, will you? Get the event over
before you sail, if possible. That's
right. Shall we say good morning !?
Good morning. Call in again before
you go and leave your address now
with one of the secretaries. This is
your stick, I think ?"
Alexander Paxton came out into
Whitehall with mixed air of elation
and perplexity. lie walked nearly
to Charing Cross before he remem-
bered that he was going In the wrong
direction. Then he returned. The
only woman in London refused him
last night-she still seemed to him
the only woman in Londor-but he
would try her again.
"Scott !" cried Paxton.
1t was only a hanson going swift
ly by that caused the exclamation.
A face looked over the splashboard
a girish face with bonnet atop
that looked like, not bonnet, but a
mere accidental bunch of flowers.
Mr.. Paxton hailed an empty cab.
"Here, hanson y
Fright you are, sir. Same old
keb. Same old driver"
do you see that cab going along
there with the yellow wheels ?"
"Jest by Dover Ahse, sir p
chats it. Catch it up and follow
it."
"I'm on it, sir"
Alexander Paxton sat in his han
som, and as it went along quickly he
thought.
There's no one else," he said TO
himself. "She said NO last night
at the Buffers, but we parted very
good friends. A woman whose hus-
band has been dead for three years
ought to marry again. I'll call at
her fat in Victoria street, anyhow
But the cab with the yellow wheels
went past Victoria street. It went
past Victoria station. 1t pulled up
eventually at an artistic little shop
with name over the window-Pat.
rice.
Mr.. Paxton paid his cabman and
sent him off. When he was tired of
waiting, he took long breath and
went into the shop.
"What can we have the pleasure
of showing you, sir r
Alexander Paxton looked around
the shop. She was not there. One
or two customers were there exam,
lining furniture and wall paper, but
she was not to be seen.
81 wanted 20 see"-he began, hes
itatingiy.
MADAME? Certainly, sir. Will
you step this way, please ~
Mechanically Paxton followed in
to pleasant little place, half office
half room. She rose from desl
and thrust her pencil between The
| folds of her bodice.