Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-12-14

~ KS. POLLO(k'S student board
NI ers gathered fov the evening
" meal in gay humor. The day
had been cold, the streets and
cars crowded with Christmas shoppers The
freedom of the dining-roOm with its lights
and savors thawcd out host Of tongues.
However, when Austen May entered and
took his place at the center OF the long table
opposite his landlady, he missed the usual
airing OF medical opinion He looked across
the table and saw. tucked under Dame
Pollock's ample wing, young girl of nine
teen or twenty He watched her with some
curiosity, knowing Mrs. Polocks scclusion
OF her own young relatives. Pretty the girl
certainly was not Austen May thought it a
little sad that that deficiency should shield
her from gallant attention. She held her.
self not ungracefully, with grave com
posture which changed but once. when an
inadvertcnt movement sent a napkin-ring
spinning TO her opposite neighbour She
met Austen Mays eyes with a quiet smile,
her dark eyes lighting for the brcfest mo.
ment, and white, even teeth showing against
her swarthy skin. A scar crossed the lobe
of her left car
&" real lady" said Mrs Pollock to young
May as she left the room, " but reduced
very, very much reduced Her father sailed
with Captain Pollock many a time to Peru.
when they could not count their money. and
now it's all gone, and he's gone and the
captain. 1t is against my rule to have her.
and It's not just the thing but what can the
poor child do in strange city? And she's
so brave"
Austen May left town for dav or two
He returned late one evening. and the new
boarder entered the house ahead of him.
The mail had just arrived, and as she passed
the group that struggled for it a young fell
low held up letter and called "Nunez."
:" Miss Nunez," she emphasized, the color
mounting TO her checks at the imagined in
dignity.
She turned from apology. When she
came back to the dining-room she started
TO find Austen May bclatcd like herself
She hesitated moment at the door, then
took her place, sliding her chair as far down
her side of the table as arrangements would
allow While they waited to be served.
Austen May took up the evening paper,
and she had an opportunity to study his
pleasant, far-bearded face
My beef rare again !" he exclaimed, as
the dishes reached the table. What mortal
man can endure this 2"
Take mine" said his 7qs.d-yis, dcmurelv
offering her plate. "A change would suit
me-"
1t Is strange" he said, Ito be indebted
70 a lady for such a favor"
How can l like meat, cooked or un-
cooked she answered, when a stove |
have seen only lighted as paything ?"
All he sighed. "Itmust be charming
TO live on figs and mocking birds eggs-and
earthquakes"
She laughed a little
An earthquake and long crack in the
side of my house is dearer TO me than YOUR
summer with thunder-storms and YOUR
Christmas with snow" She shivered as
she spoke.
Would you like to go back to your south
country ?" he asked.
L could not go back TO its dleness" she
said quietly, and spoke again only in mono
syllables.
May guessed her education from her
fluent English with its clear enunciation
Her full, soft voice was in keeping with her
lingering accent.
1t was not many days after that Austen
May looked down upon her from the Gle
waited railroad She came out Of the first of
row Of apartment houses, and he noticed
how she differed in walk and carriage from
the girls who passed-her light. elastic step
and their quick. assertive tread her grace
full inclination and their rigid masculine