Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-07-18

tuCut3 HCAC AAS0 Ron oi-S S~A .
men, tossing their caps high above
the tents and shouting with all their
sturdy lung power.
Il wonder" he unused, 'if she
hates the North as she loved the
South ~
When the tumult had ceased he
turned to Saunders.
We'll, Captain he said, "what do
you say to that2n
"Of course they love Dixie
said the captain earnestly. $50 do
I. But there is no deeper meaning
in that cheer than the love of
memory. They are loyal"
Miss Moore said that she must go
back to town.
GAS it is late / shall have to leave
my horse with you, Captain. ! shall
send for him tomorrow. ] reckon !
can walk to the train in this rig"
She looked down doubtfully at her
riding skirt. Pearce said that be
would be glad to go with her, and
though it was not apparent in just
what way he could overcome the
disadvantage Of the long dress, she
seemed to be grateful for his escort.
Well, that was the beginning oft.
and the end is not yet. An Incl.
dent that occurred under large
| tree in the old Confederate fort on
the mountain may give hint OF the
trend of events.
Pearce and Miss Moore we're I'M
| der the tree because it was the shell
ter nearest when rain suddenly be-
gan to fall and it rained, probably,
because a number of young folks Of
| the city had come up on the noun.
tain to spend a September day that
promised, in the morning, to be
| pleasant.
| Mr.. Pearce was bot in good hu-
NOR. He and Miss Moore had sep
arated themselves from the Others.
One topic OF conversation had led to
another, which, in this instance, was
declaration by Mr.. Pearce that he
was irretrievably in love with Miss
| Moore, and that If she refused to
make him happy be should be for
ever miserable. At a critical stage
of this declaration raindrop kissed
the girls cheek.
ooh, it's going to rainl' she cried.
The next instant the downpour
began, and both rushed through
breach in the open wall of the fort
to the tree, whose branches, to
which the leaves yet chung, offered
protection. There they stood in 81
lence for several minutes, she busily
brushing raindrops from her. hat,
which she had taken off, aud he
watching her, modify.
The silence became oppressive,
and she glanced at him, curiously
and apprehensively, from under her
lashes. He caught the glance, and
moving toward her, said;
"Well?n
"Oh, DON'T" she exclaimed, start
ing away, her eyes still fixed upon a
ribbon which she was working.
"Why, Katherine--er--Miss Moore
-"
ooh, you mustn't"
He walked to the edge of the cir
Gle protected by the leaves and look
ed out over the clay wall of the fort,
down which tiny rivers ran. She.
having dried her hat, placed in again
on her head and began brushing her
skirt where, here and there, rain had
| spotted it. She glanced several times
at his back, stubbornly turned to-
ward her. He evinced no intention
| of moving, ror Of speaking again,
and she became nervous. The situa-
ton was unbearable, and she ex-
claimed:
"We must get back to the 9TH
ersp'
ave can't very well go through
this rain," he said, without turning
round.
Another prolonged silence, brok-
en- only by the monotonous fall OF
the rain. Finally, when she had al
most made up her mind to gather
| up her skirts and run 10 the hotsi, q
quarter OF mile away, he turned
and came quickly toward her.
He put out his hand as though to
take hers, but she quickly put her
hands behind her and stepped back.
He folded bis arms and stood before
her, looking earnestly into her eyes
that she raised to his, almost appeal
ingly.
| Katherine" he said, II love you.
| Will you be my wife2"
/ A beautiful color stole slowly
from the ribbon at her throat, up
up until it tinted the edges Of hei
small, perfectly formed ears. Hi
gaze held hers for q moment; Their
her eyelids fell and their long lash
es swept her cheeks.
"Mr. Pearce,'' she said, slowly and
hesitatingly, 81 am so sorry, but L
| can't
because you do not love me?'
She looked up quickly into hi
face; then down again; but she die
| ..o<