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

| the Office and closed 1t carefully.
"And you told me that you did
care for me, and il that is so l really
ean'tsee why in the world we should
MT be happy"
He told her frankly of the morn
iDg's interview in Whitehall. She
sat on the other side of her desk and
leaning forward in her chair clasped
one knee and looked straight before
her. A line or two of worry shown
on her white forehead.
"Do you mind" she said, when he
had finished, "do you mind if I
say once more Mop"
YES, l do, dear"
She sighed and opened a drawer
Of her desk.
Il am glad to believe that you do
mind"
"If you won't marry me l shall
| give up the appointment. | must
chance something else turning up.
Only | should like to have had it.
And l do love you, dear, and l
would"
"The firm of Patrice & Co.," she
replied, with afectation of light
heartedness, Unjust not listen 10
these things. 1t is not art furniture
and it is not decoration. Patrice &
Co. has a reputation for these things,
but it does not deal in the affec-
TONS
He rose, too, and looked around
for his hat.
"The name Of Patrice," he said,
reminds me of a wild Irishman whom
I had to do with before I left Eng
land. He used to call himself by
that name, and he was-oh, here's
my hat. I've taken up q lot Of your
busy minutes, m afraid"
She had turned and was affecting
to turn over some papers.
"Tell me about-about this M.
Patrice, please
ooh, it was only the name that re-
minded me of him. Fearful young
scamp of q fellow he was. Told me,
I remember, when got him out of
his first row, that he had come out
there to drink himself to death"
"Yes ?" anxiously and breathless-
ly.
''He was q queer fish. Drank like
a queer fish, too. When he was So
Der, he was maudlin and repentant.
He told me once, | remember, in q
burst of confidence, that he had
young wife in England who had de-
clined, after month of married life
to put up any longer with his dis
graceful behavior. He charged me
never to let her know where he was,
so that she should always be in
doubt. And 1 didn't because"
''Why, please ?"
"For the good reason that be new
err told me who she was"
The papers seemed to require
much sorting and arranging.
"Some Of us paid bis debts once
or twice.
"Ah, that was quite useless"
$50 We found. But one couldn't
help feeling for him at first. When
ever I feel that the world is using
me badly, as 1 do now, I think of
Patrice. Then [ am more content
ed"
The troublesome papers were in
order at last. A hasty touch of the
handkerchief to the eyes, and she
tnrned round, looking nearly herself
again.
"Mr. Paxton, will you wait out.
side for me moment or two? You
might see me back to Victoria
street."
Alexander Paxton looked over q
book of sample wall paper in the
shop until the firm had put on its
preposterous little bonnet and its
cloak and was ready. Then the two
walked slowly down in the direction
of her fat.
"When did you see poor Mr.. Pat
rice last, Mr.. Paxton? Do you re-
member the exact date ~
He looked in his pocketbook and
told her. They talked about other
matters until they found themselves
at Camford Mansions.
| once knew a man who seems to
me to answer the description of the
Patrice you were speaking of just
now she said, hesitatingly. HE
was walking one of the hospitals
when / met him. / was Is then. ]
believe | have his portrait upstairs
Come up and tell me if it is the
same The photograph was found
quite easily, and Paxton had no diff.
ficulty in identifying it. She rang
for tea and looked out of the window
with a look of increased worry or
her pretty face.
81 feared so" she whispered Il
herself. Il shall never, never b
| free