Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-06-01
'TINsBURG w VA. SATURDAY JUNE /, 1895.


ty. The tears start in his eyes al
the sight, his breath catches, and his
legs fall to trembling"
"Ah, is it So" asked Miranda, in
differently.
SIT is with me-" he said, earnestly.
His gaze embarrassed her. She
turned her head away. IL have long
wondered about this love-" he STAN
mered, sand now I know"
Miranda looked round at him quick
ly.
"What is it like?" she asked with
some interest.
Abashed, he thrust his fingers
through his hair. Ell beg your
pardon" he suffered, "but / have
scarce the wherewithal to clothe my
feelings. 1t makes me-'tis like q
oh, feel-indeed, and / would do
anything in your behalf" he con-
cluded bravely.
Miranda stared at him q second,
and then smiled softly.
He sprawled so ungainly. He lay
huge hulk of ineptitudes. His
large blue eyes were watered with af-
fiction. "You are very good" she
murmured.
"'Tls no goodness" he averred
stoutly, shut out Of the very bottom
of indulgent sel6shness. | would
sacrifice worlds for YOU"
Miranda glanced at him shyly.
"Would you drown ?" she ask.
ed.
He nodded.
"Would you surrender me for
ever p
He hesitated.
"WouM you sell your soul for
me Pr
He knit his brows into frown of
puzzlement.
"Why, you would never surely
steal to see me smiling?" she cried.
He shook his head thoughtfully,
NO." he replied. "Twould be a
wrong you would not ask me-"
"And if / did 2" she insisted.
He searched her face and then, 81
would hire some one else for the
job" he declared, with Sigh.
Miranda lay back on the turf and
shook with laughter. Suddenly she
sat up. In flash the laughter ceas-
ed, and, red and white in turn, she
tucked her bare feet beneath her
gown again.
II trust you have not hurt your
self," said he.
"Oh, no." she replied, coldly.
"Pray continue. Your philosophy
vas gtl %pfEt egppteaTttaaiitaing. a3ap @ake
But you could love me to distrac-
ton. Oh, yes You will pull down
the world tor me, and you do it not
by your own hand. You will meet
lions, and you can find anoth-
err to replace you. You will swear
and forswear and break through the
Decalogue if you can do all these
things by substitute. Yours is a
wonderful sense of passion-so new,
so strange, 50 masterful."
The young man nodded his head
sagely.
otis marvellous what change love
will bring to a man but" he added
doubtfully, II would not break thro'
the Decalogue. l dare not have an
others blood upon me. Oh, there
are many things one dare not do
nor would you ask them. Why, do
I talk 50 wildly? I am content to
love you if you will suffer me-"
He leaned forward and took her
hand awkwardly, looking the while
into her face with bashful affection.
She snatched her hand away and
laughed impatiently.
ooh, you are too good, fair sir
she cried. II am not worthy your
deYout devotion. II have sins
enough upon my head, God wot, but
none so great as this unequal part
nership would be. You are too yir
tuous for such as 1. You are toe
composed of discreet renunciations
Renounce once more and save your
soul alive. Mine is the hayward.
ness of the wildcat. | have the pas
sions of the desperate. breal
through a commandment daily.
am right to my hair in sins. Should
I repent / should need an acre o
sackcloth and gallons of ashes. Blu
do not. Thank the Lord, | shal
not. | am stark in my vices.
plan them with rebellious joys. |
complete them with exultation.
am fiend in fair wig, ghoul in ;
white gown. To love me is to low,
perditlon."
He stared at her dumbly and with
drew pace.
Indeed" said she, lyon have ey
cry reason for your fears. / fea
myself. Of nights l lie awake ant
think of devilments. They foa
through my dreams. / pinch my
self in wonder if | be really human
There is no audacity | could no
dare, no shame to cause me
blink"