Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-06-12
aAnnie Raleigh p be cried. "Good

lous coincidence.
Tie name seemed to have wrought
q flood of "reminiscences, and with
dreamy eyes he conjured up a scene
of many years back when he was the
happy lover of girl of Is. His
mind rambled for some time among
those days of long ago, and at length
he rose and opened cabinet stand
ing on his dressing table.
He rooted out bundle of old let
tiers, and from amongsthen took out
slightly-faded photograph. It was
photo of young lady, attired in a
pure white diess. 1t was dainty
little figure, slim and nea', with a
pair o laughing eyes, surmounted
by mass of beautiful hair.
He held it in his hand for some
time, and gszed on it as though
spell bound. At length his lips
parted, and in voice of agony he
groaned
ooh Annie, Annie, why were you
not true? Oh, heaven, how I loved
you, loved you with love which
was my whole existence. thought
fool that was-you loved me, too ;
but, no, no, no, you did not. | was
simply toy-a toy to be played
with-and then thrown rathlessly
aside. All, well, | was foolish to be
entangled by pretty face, and yet
mol was not. A man loves but
once in his life, and truly l loved
then. 1t was destiny, destiny, and
shaped a curious end. But surely
it is time I had got over that feeling,
and yet, Annie, my blood rises at
this cold picture of you, and love
with the same intensity as of yore.
Those were indeed happy days
days when lived in FOOLS para
disc"
"He laid the photograph down
and pondered. II wonder where she
is now-does she ever think of me,
does size feel any pangs of regret
Possibly she thinks me dead-per-
haps it were better if it were so. she
would not recognize me now" and
he carelessly stroked his beard.
He put the photo back in the cab.
met and threw himself into his chair
again. But the gates of memory
had been opened, and in that night
he lived again the life of years ago.
He revelled in the self-torture, and
whipped with unspairing hand the
cruel sores which time could never
heal, and tue deep groans which &C.
casionally burst from his compress
ed lips revealed the agony of the
soul within.
When he arose from his chair and
went to bed it was a. m.
x
GA lady wishes to see you, SIR"
Hardinge was seated at his table
with pile of "dailies" before him
studying with immovable face the
press notices of his play. Lifting
his eyes for a moment, he briefly ex.
claimed, "Ah what name !"
He took the piece of pasteboard
handed to him, and the color rose
to his pale face as he read the old
familiar name.
every well, tell the lady I'll see
her. Show her up
Curious" he soliloquized, "none
of these criticisms can raise the
slightest emotion, but that pame"-
and he stopped.
A few moments later the lady en-
tered, and as he turned to greet bel
he caught sight of her face.
"Gocd heavens !" he gasped, I'll;
Annier' and then he became coo
again.
He offered her a chair, and seeing
that she was at loss how she should
commence, opened the conversation
$50, Miss Raleigh, you wish to in
tervlew me ~
Il am afraid I cannot adequately
express my sense of gratitude" she
replied with a sweet smile, which
caused his heart to bound again
"you are, indeed, too kind"
"Well, | am afraid you have
chosen rather poor subject" sale
Hardinge; "you see, | am hardly ye'
celebrity, but if I can assist yol
in any way, | shall only be too pleas
ed. Cross-examine me as you like
for, as you know. 1T will be quite {
novel experience, as far as l am con
cerned.
"Thank you. But, Mr.. Hardinge
really don't know how to com
mence. suppose had better jo'
down a few particulars about YOU
surroundings, ETC."
She took out note book and pen
Gil, and, as she bent forward TO write
Hardinge carefully scrutinized her
She was still the same sweet girl hi
had loved. True, she looked older
and great..deal more serious, giving
him the impression that her life had
not always been cast in pleasant
places.
II wonder how che came to this,
he thought. 'sHer husband mus
either be wastrel, or be must bt
dead, and, in taking up literature
II 1. II