Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-05-16

man W 4IO
She did not finish the sentence, but
the blood famed up into her cheeks
and over her forehead, the tears came
into her eyes and she clinched her
hands sharply together.
From that time on if Ned Culbert-
son had any faint CLEANS of hope, they
must have been entirely extinguished,
for Dorothy Preston manners toward
him were revelation of frigid disdain.
Did she touch his hand in the dance,
it was shrinkingly, as if she abhoned
the slight contact Did she speak to
him it was with such distant hauteu
that his blood froze. And so it con-
tinued until he was in despair
Alone in his Office one evening dur
ing a busy week, he was trying to
finish some complicated designs for the
interior of a church which was soon
to be erected. Could one have peeped
at him as he sat with head bent over
his work, drawing hard at a cigar, one
would have said that he was all ab-
sorbed in the labor before him. But
any such thought would have been
efficiently routed when he suddenly
sprang to his feet and, dashing his
pencil into a corner, exclaimed 81
can't do it, Contound it | can't
With that girls face before my eyes
constantly am getting as incapable
of thought or performance as an i'm
beetle. And what does it all amount
to? She looks at Inc as if She would
like to walk over me, and when she
speaks it's like pouring ice water over
my head. can't do anything this
way. Rather than endure this sus-
pense I would tell her and have her
freeze me with a glance or show me
the door. Maybe that would put me
on my feet anyhow and infuse a little
spirit into me, if it were only the spirit
of resentment.
In his lucid moments Mr.. Edward
Culbertson was quick thinking and
prompt acting man, and in ten min
utes he had determined on plan Of
action. A note left on the desk Of his
first assistant told that gentlemen that
his superior was suddenly called away
and might not be back for a month
and left the work of the office in his
hands.
He would see Miss Preston, tell his
story and then 90 away for month
to forget.
When the plan was once settled
upon it was but short work to hasten
home, pack satchel and then dress
for the proposed call.
When he entered the Preston draw
ing room he thought that Dorothy had
never looked so lovely to him before
in all his life.
He could hardly follow the common
places that introduced the CONVERSE
ton for looking at her. And then,
more than the rude swain than the
polished beau, almost before the greet
ings were over he had plunged "in
medias res.
The girl listened to him, speechless
with surprise, as he poured out his
story of love. She could not check
him, nor did she give her time to say
word.
Miss Dorothy, " he concluded, after
telling his story, a cannot sufficiently
thank you for listening to me. l was
a madman to think that you would
but felt l must tell you how | loved
you. | do not ask for you answer, for
I am too sure what it will be- sup
pose I'm a fool, but and there was
a tremor in his voice-"I can t help it,
YOU know. And now goodby. I've
got to catch that 1905 for-ah-I'm
goingaway for little while for change
of scene and forgetfulness, as the nov
elists put it.
He smiled mirthlessly as mechanic
ally she gave him her hand, and before
she had recovered from the shock he
had gone. To a woman sofe pillow
is a very sympathetic article, and
certain fowered silk one in Miss Dor
othy Preston's room received her tears,
laughter and incoherent words Of JOY.
Then the same sofa pillow was dashed
back into its place in rather un-
friendly manner, hardly consistent with
the confdences it had Just received, as
the proud Miss Preston rose to her
feet, exclaiming:
He said the 1905; have time
yet"
1t was just three minutes past ten