Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-08-21

who had removed her friends wrap
pings in a twiHklino, interrupted his
meditations with 8 call TO supper,
and taking her place at the head of
of the table, began helping every
body right and left, and ordered
them to eat, with an imperativeness
that left 10 time for further rumina-
tions.
What merry meal it was! And
how Kitty's and Hattie's tongues
did run! And how politely and
languidly fascinating Mr.. Duval tried
to be! And how John, coming out
of his bashfulness, began talking to
Miss Grant, and was, after a while,
quite astonished at his own fuency.
And when supper was over and
she sat down at the piano, what was
his surprise and delight to see her
dear little white fingers 60 rafting
over the keys to the merry tune of
"Speed the Plow," instead of the
dismal and long fantasies sister Kit.
ty affected, and Of which he could
never make head nor tail.
Miss Grant was q perfect little
darling, and SO Kitty had raptur-
ously said when she kissed that lady
for the fiftiath time and showed her
to her chamber, and, returning to
the sitting room, found brother John
there alone, looking thoughtfully in
to the roaring, red fire.
"And / WISH" cried Kitty, ecstat-
ically, "oh, how I do wish she was
my sister,"
"And SO do /, Kitty said BROTH
john, starting NJ. "Good.night.'
When Mr.. Duval took himself OF
next morning, Miss Grants last mes.
sage had been: "TeIl mamma and
all the folks | will be home 10 fort.
night at the farthest.o
But the fortnight passed and she
was not at home. Christmas came
and went, aud still Miss Hattie rus
ticated.
1t was the oldest thing in the
world, Miss Hattie's mamma said /;
what could keep the child in the
country? or what charm was there
to keep the gay city girl so long? If
it was August, now but December
only fancy!
And all her numerous admirers
began to echo the exclamation and
turn their thoughts into an investi-
eating trip to Ashfleld themselves.
All had they only known what
good times Hattie was having sleigh
ing all over the country with broth
er John, and out skating every even
ing on the lake, and going to quilt
ing frolics and surprise parties, and
doing everything else she liked
free and independent for once in her
life; quite forgetful Of the existence
of that terrible lady, Mrs. Grundy
and finding out, too, what poet
brother John was, and how beauti-
full he could read aloud stormy
evenings, while she and Kitty en-
broidered, and how he knew Latin
and lots of thingsnobody would ever
suspect. All it was all delightful,
and the only pity was that it could
not last forever.
But New Year was at hand and
there was 3 peremptory letter from
mamma commanding an instant re-
turn home for the grand reception
ofthat day.
1t was the evening before her de-
parture. A stormy December even
ing, with rain and sleet lashing the
windows and the gale sobbing and
surging wildly around the old farm
house.
But in the sitting room, where the
hemloek logs roared aud blazed,
flooding every corner with rosy light
where the crimson curtains were
drawn, everything was delightfully."-
warm and cosy, and Hattie sat alone
at the piano, the open letter lying
on it, her fingers straying over the
keys, and one bright drop after an
other falling unheeded on the polish
ed ivory.
Presently the door opened, some
one came in and stood beside her,
but Hattie never looked up.
"Where's Kitty ~ asked brother
John.
Hattie had to cough to clear her
throat before she could answer.
Upstairs helping Bette to strap
my trunk
"You are going away tomorrow,
them"
"Yes," very family.
Wont you play for me once more
before you 60 r.
The restless fingers were still for
an instant, and then "Speed the
Pillow" rang gayly through the room.
Brother John looked down at the
little white hands, still once more
without yenturiDg a glance at the
downcast face.
Speed the Plow' is very pref
ty tune; but plews are extremely
ugly things in reality-don't you
think so ~
"No!n
49, III