Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-06-26

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and that my favorite was Sissie.
Our wager was source of much
amusement to Tony and me, and |
can tell you We kept sharp watch
upon Clarence Moore. Poor fellow,
if there be truth in the saying, his
ears must have been very hot and
red at times.
When we met him escorting any
other young Slocombe young lady
than Sissie, Tony would, in dumb
show, play with an imaginary rae
ouet. When we saw him in Sissie's
company, / rubbed my old spectacle
case.
As to Kate Walton, / SON discov-
ered-Tony having given me the
clew, recollect-that my niece was
right, or / believed so. Kate was
staid in demeanor, and certainly not
pretty, but she had, imagined, an
earnest disposition, one of those dis
positions which throw their whole
life, their soul, everything into the
scale Of their liking or disliking.
She certainly liked Clarence
Moore, though she had got beyond
the age of blushing, and locking
conscious. But in all her converse
tions, whatever topic she discussed
somehow his name always came in.
don Quixote was right" l
thought, women love those who
care not for them, and do not care
for those who like them +; though
by the by, I don't know who does
like Kate Walton out of the usual
way. Young Moore is attentive,
but it is the attention of man who
pays Difference to the members of a
family he hopes to enter. Those
gray eyes of merry, light.heartd
Sissie, who is as gay and full OF
movement as bird, have betwitch-
ed the heart out of him-graye and
precise as he is. What wonder !
Still, am thinking Moat Lodge will
be rather dull home for so bright a
fairy, especially when she must give
attention to, and yield to the whims
of the old man."
About two weeks after the garden
party my brother gave a picnic in
the Herleigh Woods. The day was
gloriously fine, and Tony was as
merrily excited as a girl could be.
Possibly the reason for it was the
unexpected arrival of Jack with bis
chum, Stanley Boyne, ii light'heart-
ed young Irishman and budding bar
| rister.
Well, that has nothing to do with
the reason why ofthis story, though
/ may confess that at the present
day Tony's name is not Beverly but
Boyne. So, after all, that may have
been the "reason why" of Tony's
mad humor, though it has nothing
TO do with our wager.
"Tony," l said, as we were dress
ing, "are you aware that picncs are
very dangerous pleasures 7"
mo, auntie. Why 2"
because proposals which have
been uncertain and hesitating gener
ally at picnics become facts accom-
plished."
ASH looked round l saw Tony
was very flushed. I thought it was
the excitement and the heat. | d.
not think so now. How she mus
have laughed within herself at my
being so cute IN regard to Clarence
| Moore, and so blind in regard to hel
affair.
"You see,' I proceeded, young
Moore will propose today. thinl
I should like a filagree silver spec
tacle case.''
Really? Well, auntie, should
prefer Slszenger racquet; they arr
best. Dear, dear, how slow we are
There is the carriage, and Jack i.
waiting"
She frisked from the room, and
need scarcely say that some ont
else was waiting beside Jack.
But why have I got into this jest
ing strain 7? Because it was how
felt then. How was | to tell my
story was to have so sad an ending
The picnic was a success. Tit
woods were IN their summer beauty
the ground was covered by @ ricl
MOSAIC of flowers.
After luncheon, of course, we sep
arated into little parties, ard wan
dered away as we pleased, until tht
place seemed alive with pleasan'
voices and laughter.
We were to have gypsy tea be
fore the carriages were ordered, and
to help see that it was properly ar
ranged, I was Fastening back to tht
rendezvous, when came upon Clar
ence Moore alone.
He was walking slowly, his head
bent, but he aroused himself as be
heard me, and coming forward gave
me his escort.
pardon me-" | said, "you seen
TO have headache, Mr.. Moore "
81 have" he replied, pressing hi:
forehead. "The day has been so hot
and heat often SO affects me. Had
it not appeared strange and migrate