Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-06-06
THAT is my business answered


Certainly returned the maiden,
rather haughtily, athat is your bust
ness, unquestionably and as it don't
appear to concern me, / will leave
you to transact it with yourself"
She WAS about to turn back, and
make her words good, when the
youth suddenly and somewhat fierce
lily, grasped her by the arm, and re-
joined
aNot SO fast, my beauty! I've
got word to say to your
aUnhand me, sir |" cried Rose, in
dignantly, aor I will call for help p
+ you'd better call on your new
love- sneered Simon.
II will call on some one that will
chastise your insolence r she re-
sorted.
mo threats returned the youth,
sTm not just in the mood to bear
Fem. / feel just now as if the devil
was in me and if anybody was TO
interfere now between US, don t
know what mought come ont.
IL ose,' he pursued, in low, hurried,
passionate tone, ~ know I'm a big,
1
fagly, awkward, uneducated youth,
but I've got feeling as well as 9TH
ers-and (interjecting wicked oath)
I'll tell you what it is, Rose, who
ever trifles with 'em had better take
care Rose, you know I love you
Love you to madness you know
you encouraged me in it, you know
| you gin me to expect that some day
you'd be my wife; but lately from
some cause, you've treated me cold.
ly-you've hardly spoke to me civil
You haven't met me as you used
to do-you've seemed as if my COM
pany was unpleasant to you.o
81 think you must be mistaken
Simon" returned the other in a soft
ened tone.
"No, I'm not mistaken, Rose,' he
vehemently replied; II know-Ive
seen for myself. I'll tell you what
the cause is of this change in you.
You've got your fancy fixed upon
another that you like better. You
always had liking for Henry Leitch-
man and now that you think you'y We
got him safe, you're ready to drop
me. But it won't do, Rose-I tell
you it won't do! The man that
dares to step between me and you
has got to answer fort. Yes, Rose,
with another wicked oath, afore he
shall get you away from me, I'll
have his hearts blood y
SWAY, Simon, don't speak in such
mannerF' said the glrl, in consid-
cradle alarm-"you terrify me !"
"Can't help it, Rose-you'll find
it just as | say. Boy if l am, I've
got the strength and passions of a
man and if find the last is trided
with, the other shall serve me for a
revenge that shall ring along the
borders when you and me are dead
and gone.'
'Why, Simon, what do you mean?'
cried Rose Walton, growing more
and more terrified at the wild pas
sions of the other, which she for
mere past time-to crafty foolish
vanity-had carelessly and thought
lessly famed into a fame that might
now destroy her. 81 never heard
you talk SO strangely before
"Because | was never so certain |
had cause" replied he. "For some
time back I've suspicioned that
something was wrong; I've kind O.
thought that Henry Leitchman was
taking my place in your favor, and
only yesterday overheard him say
as much to one of his friends. To-
night | met him, and suspicioning
that he was coming here, | drew
back out of sight and followed him.
Rose, for many a long hour I've
been standing by that there old syca-
more, watching the room where you
and Henry was. I could hear you
talk, but l couldn't hear what you
said and I could hear you laugh,
and that said plain enough that you
was happy. [ saw you both come to
the door, and heard your tender
goodnight; and Rose, some dread
full wicked thoughts came over me
then, and / started after Henry. If
| had followed him, I don't know
what mought have come on't-but /
thought I'd come back and hear
what you had to say first. Now,
tell me, Rose, and tell me the truth,
do you prefer Leitchman to me ~
"Why, how can you ask such a
question, Simon ?" answered the
girl, eyasively, and slightly chang
ing color. "But | do ask it, Rose,
and want you to answer me!'
"Well, then, come in few min
utes and let US talk the matter
over.n
ssNo, Rose, I'll not come in tonight
you can answer that question
where you are.'
"Why, do you want me to fatter
you to your face, and tell you / like
you the best ~
mo, | don't want any fattery-
I've had enough of that-I've had
too much of that. just want you
to be sincere for once in your life