Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-08-15

came plainly to their ears.
1T is almost certain to come off |
tonight, think. | got him an in
vitation on purpose
Ronald started it was Lady Ma |
riass voice, but he had not the remot- |
est idea to what she was alluding. |
In another moment, however, she |
received her answer, and it was Vio-
let's turn to start, for it came in her
mothers accents
1--WE shall be only too grateful to
you il it does come of, for her papa
and l have always set our hearts on
her marrying lord. The very min
ute that Violet tells me he has pro-
posed, the check shall be sent to
YOU
Ronald drew back step, his
check growing white beneath its
bronze his hands clerched involun-
tarily, and for moment yollet ex-
pected to see him dash out upon the
conspirators; but their voices were
already receding in the distance, and
as be looked around he saw the an.
guish in her face.
"Yioletl Violetr' he cried, seiz-
ing her hands in bis, ''you knew
nothing of this l swear it with my
dying breath !"
She drew her hands away, and
turned to escape, but he followed
her.
81 have not much to offer,' he
said, "but all l have is at your
feet"
She quickly looked up, and light
of gratitude came into her eyes.
"How good you are she said.
Ronald looked at her in bewilder-
ment; the words we're not what he
had expected.
"You do NOT understand, he said.
81 want you to be my wife"
81 do understand" she answered.
gently, "and | honor you for asking
me, after what has happened ; but /
will not take advantage Of your gen.
crosby"
cit is not generosity" cried Ron
aid, sit is sheer selfshness !"
But Violet showed no signs of
yielding.
II will not leave you unless you
tell me one thing, said Ronald. eff
your heart is free, | claim it; but if
not, / will never trouble you again.
Violet, tell me, do you love any
one 2"
Eyes she said, II do.'
THAT is enough said Ronald,
hoarsely, and dropping her hand he
turned and left.
sit is strange how ungrateful
young people are p remarked Lady
Maria, few days later, to the
friends gathered around her tea Ia
bic. II had arranged a most suita-
BILE match for my nephew, really
done everything in my power to pro-
mote it; and yet he actually came
here the other day and used the
most terrible language-said that l
had spoiled his life, and all kindssof
dreadful things; and now he has
gone off abroad, nobody knows
where. / am sure only hope that /
shall never see him again"
Lady Maria's wish seemed likely
to be fulfilled, for five long years
came and went, bringing no news
of Ronald and though five years
could not take the bloom from her
cheeks, nor the gold from her hair,
they could, and did add very mater
tally to the infrmities of her frame.
Bat when at last he did reappear,
she was willing to overlook the past
in spite of her resentment, for Ron
aid had found his way into a profit
able foreign partnership, and instead
of fame he brought hack money.
"One of the best things | ever did
for you was getting you out of that
entanglementl' she exclaimed fer
vently when they met, for Lady Ma
ria came of military stock. and she
knew that one of the most success
full maneuvres is to carry the wsr
into your enemy 5 quarters.
Ronald shot glance at her from
under his dark eyebrows, but said
nothing, and she continued gaily:
Mr.. Harvey went bankrupt a
year or two after you went away,
and they are quite in poor circum-
stances now. That upstart girl
waits upon the dodgers, ! believe
sYou don't say so.r remarked
Ronald. "Where are they living"
"In Worthing,' said Lady Maria,
deceived by his GOODNESS. LADY Hen.
nington was there last month, and
she told me that she saw Mrs. Har-
yey on the Parade, and that the
woman actually had The audacity to
speak to her. Can you believe it r
| 4 don't Know said Ronald; but