Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-09-17

Genevieve was adorable We were
left alone in the parlor during the
evenings and had long talks. From
day to day I grew more fond of the
girl, who also felt her love for me in
crease. We built many air castles and
promised ourselves happiness for our
entire lives. In regard to everything
we agreed marvelously; were always
of one accord, and l could not see in
our future single shadow that could
later lead to the slightest discussion.
Therefore, how could We quarrel? Was
not ready to do anything in the
world to please my Genevieve? 1t
was quite sufficient that she said to me
one evening, on seeing me light my
cigar 4 beg of you, my lover, not to
smoke any more. That would give
me so much pleasure. And threw
aside my cigar at once, with the de-
termination never to smoke again.
How very agreeable her gratitude was
to me for this privation had imposed
upon myself Said she &; If you only
knew how much | love you for thus
gratifying my desire' And l replied:
I am only too happy in Obeying you.
81 was sincere. was very happy
to please her, happy in parting with
my cigars. l had abandoned the box.
1t was there on the mantel in my room.
When | returned home after spending
the evening with Genevieve | stepped
up to it before going to bed and
stretched out my hand. But my word
All, but it was hard to resist the temp
tation. l Intentionally left the box
on the mantelpiece and treated every
body-1ny friends, the janitor and the
man who polished my floor. Those
brave men, as though they had dl-
vined my desire, made every effort to
diminish my chance Of succumbing.
The great day arrived at last. | had
spoken to the Mayor. 1t had been
agreed that | should 90 to the house
for Genevieve at one o'clock. That
morning | arose early. put on my
new black frock coat, made for the oc-
casion. After was entirely ready,
after having 1etwisted the ends Of my
mustache, | looked at my watch. 1t
was high noon. had still an hour
to wait. An hour, had waited SIX
months before knowing whether |
would ever see Genevieve again. |
had waited six weeks from the time |
had been accepted for the moment
when l might marry her. An hour
And | burned with impatience. |
walked up and down my room. sat
down. | got up. | reseated myself
and got up again, longing for some
way to pass the time, anything that
would help me to bear that hour OF
waiting. Turning toward the mantel
my eyes fell upon that box of cigars.
There was only one left. My friends,
the janitor and the man who polished
my floor, had all done we'll One lone
cigar! took it up mechanically. 1t
was long, round in the middle and
tapering to point that seemed to call
for a penknife l pressed it between
my fingers close to my ear; it cracked
as though well dried. 1t was neither
too dark nor too light In word, II
was a cigar of the first class. / threw
it back quickly into the box and closed
: nv eyes to escape the temptation.
Fifteen minutes past twelve. Still
more than three-quarters Of an hour
to wait. | returned to the mantel
took up the cigar every one has mo-
ments of folly now and them and cut
it with my teeth. l lighted it and
sitting down in my armchair, com
menced smoking. 1t was delicious
Was the odor of the cigar too strong
or was it because | had lost the habit
, of smoking? At the end of few mo-
ments my head fell back, | partly
! closed my eyes and gave myself up tc
the luxury of that sensation neighbor
E ing upon a slumber, at the point wher'
thoughts ends and dreams begin. Sud
, denly awoke by the odor Of some
thing scorchlng. got up ana looke'
! about the room. Nothing. went t
I the curtains, to the draperies. Moth
. ing. l felt my coat, my vest. Moth
p ing.
/ bah it was only an idea" though
O l, and l am mistaken. | looked at In.
n watch 1t was twenty-five minute
s past one. l grabbed my hat and IN,
/. gloves. flew down the stairs fou
!. at time and jumped into the carriag
;, that was waiting for me. The janito
+, was there standing on the doOr-sll
= On seeing me mass he burst out laugh