Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-06-01

liberty to dispose of my own appar-
ell. l am no child at nurse"
He drew back, red and frightened,
and Miranda, breathless, curled her
feet closer beneath her gown. He
watched her face askancc. She bit
her lips.
''He is only fool, but l hate a
fool, )" said she.
Miranda sighed. He glanced at
her anxiously.
"And you think it will rain ?" she
asked.
"Tll swear it will" he cried eager
ly and waited, open mouth, upon her
condescension.
II WONDER" said Miranda, thought
fully.
"But the sky is red," he painted.
II have my doubts" said Miranda
sagely, shaking her head. "The
| wood obscures the heaven. How is
it possible to telI?"
"Indeed-"he began.
may" she interrupted, shut from
the cornfeld yonder you could de-
scry with certainty, and l should be
reassured."
81 can see the cornGeld through
the trees" he answered, "and the
sun shines red above the hedges"
Miranda shrugged her shoulders
petuantly.
"What sound was that?' she said.
Surely some animal. l hate COW.
Oh, sir, pray run and see !"
otis no COW" he replied stolidly.
Il know the fields by heart, and
miles,
"There is many fool" said Mi
randa, bitterly.
"Aye, to be sure" he assented
gravely, "and many sinner, more
over" he added, thoughtfully.
81 think 1 prefer a sinner said
Miranda, vehemently.
"The sinner for me too, he agreed
cheerfully.
Miranda put out her tongue at the
grass. Idly he broke the bark of a
silver birch. Miranda uttered an
exclamation of anger. He turned.
Il beg your pardon" said he. 81
did not catch your words, but | do
assure you that if there is aught l
can do will"
Miranda's temper burst its bonds.
"Nothing in the world" she said in
sarcasm. Nothing in life for me
save only that you will leave me to
enjoy my solitude"
He stared, stammered half SEN
tence, took off his hat, mopped his
face, and tumbling over creeper
set off. Mirands's heart pricked
her with pride. He looked forlorn
and he had done his best in honest
stupidity.
"Stay r'she called, impetuously.
He turned in wonder.
81 meant no unkindness, sir" she
continued, II have an intermittent
trick of petulence."
He came stumbling back. The
light beamed into a broad grin upon
his face.
Miranda shivered. He sat down
squat upon the bracken. Miranda
groaned.
81 wonder at your cruel words,
he began slowly. "Somehow they
fitted i'll your face, which is"-he
blushed-"the sweetest I have ever
SEEN"
"Oh, you are ra.h," said Miranda
scornfully. Il dare swear that one
with so much knowledge as your
self, has weltered among scores O.
pretty faces"
Indeed" he cried but she broke
in upon his protest.
"For myself, I lay no claim t.
beauty. Let Others faunt their ii
ties as they will. l am well enough
no doubt. l have the face of youth
and my eyes hare no squint in them
But l am assured you have sect
many pretty maidens.'
That is So" he cried, eagerly
sand this the prettiest."
Miranda smiled. "You do you
friends harsh Injustice" she an
swered. II have my years to N.
credit and no more, which is viz
tue through which each must pas:
And what indeed is beauty, if all b
told 7"
ssBeauty-it is pearl" he gaspe
and suddenly swallowed his cmotio
with gulp.
81 set no value upon pearls sal
Miranda, sedately. "Let others
they will. While the world swing
on folly viii ring her bells, fools jar
, and gossips chatter. ]"
; He watched her ardently, and si
| ling step nearer resumed his arg
: ment.
eYou cannot tell" he said, "wl