Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-06-12

ideas as TO how | should go about
this interview. / wish you would
give me few details about yourself,
your work and methods, and then,
perhaps, I could jot down few par
ticulars, which / could weave to-
gether afterward.'
He smiled sadly, and then gave
her the information required. She
made some notes, and then at the
conclusion put away her book, and,
after thanking him again, made
movement as if preparing to depart.
Hardinge noted this, and, at his
wits end, blurted out, in desperate
fashion:
"So.you are endeavoring to adopt
literature as your profession, Miss
Raleigh ~
eyes, she replied, "but I find it
very difficult, indeed, to get foot
hold
aDo you write stories? Excuse
the liberty take, but I feel quite
an interest 10 you.'
sob, thank you. Yes do try
my hand occasionally at a short
story
"Well, Miss Raleigh, what do you
Think of this for a plot? Do you
think it could be woven into story?
can only give you incidents as far
as / know them, so you will have to
make your own conclusion. Above
all, it has the merit of being true.
Shall give you the incidents?'
"If you would be so kind, l should
be extremely grateful"
Then here they are. BY Curl
GUS coincidence your name is that of
the heroine, and it is that fact-which
has recalled everything to my mind"
Hardinge proceeded with his tale.
He dared not look at his visitor as
he remorsely went on; perhaps it was
well he did not do so, as the indie.
scribable agony which overspread
her features would have acted upon
his chivalrous instincts and forced
him to stop. But as he did not look
In her direction he did not notice
this, and cruelty commenced,
"Some years ago--I forget how
many-a young fellow, who was my
chum at Oxford, spent his vacation
at Milfeld, little village in the
North. While there Fred-Fred
Cover was his name-met and fell
in love with the wears daughter,
Annie Raleigh. They became en-.
gagged, and shortly afterward he went
out to india in order to represent his
fathers business house in Calcutta.
"For some months correspon-
dence passed between the two, but
at length Fred received word from
some friend in the village that the
squire's son was paying close atten.
tions to Miss Raleigh, and it was
rumored that they were engaged to
be married. In fit of passion, Fred
wrote, breaking off the engagement
even before he received any corrobo-
rative evidence. The lady was
either stung by the letter or the ru-
NOR was correct, as she did not re-
ply, and from that day he has never
seen or heard of her, He did not
make any inquiries, he did not write
to his informant, but simply waited
at Calcutta until he had set the bust
ness affairs in order. He then went
into the hills, intending to lose him.
self there, and cut himself off from
all things which would bring to
mind his unfortunate love.
"Poor fellow | often wonder
what has become of him. He has
not written to any of his old friends
and is, suppose, almost forgotten
by all. But really, Miss Raleigh"
he added, turning to her and motto.
ing her agitated countenance, "you
don't look well. Can | get anything
for your
"No, thank you, Mr.. Hardinge.
But-no doubt you will think me
foolish-your story has quite upset
me.n
II am awtully sorry. | would not
have related it, had | known. But
why should it upset you?'
"Well,' said the lady, her pale
lips trembling. 81 am the Annie
Raleigh you have been speaking OF.
Fred Cover was my lover. Poor
Fred" she added meditatively, Sand
all through misunderstanding"
"A misunderstanding p said Har-
dinge in an incredulous tone. "How
was that? Pardon my curiosity,
but no doubt you will understand
why l should be curious"
"Well, as you were friend of his
and know one part OF the story, per-
maps it would be as well if you were
acquainted with the other part.n
She sighed deeply and went on at
is true that the squire's son did pay
me attentions. We were busily en-
gagged in organizing some amateur
theatricals at the time, and as we
we're thrown into each others so.
ciety great deal. Bot / was en-
tirely faithful to Fred, and when
Hinton did make love TO me, I
promptly gave him bis answer.