Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-07-03

~, the gentleman said, with one OF
his flashing smiles toward the pretty
girl, who readily promised what he
seemed so eager to desire.
And that was the beginning of
pretty Dorinda Grey's acquaintance
with the handsome young stranger
whom she had exalted to hero-a
king among men.
He had done only what any other
man would have done under similar
circumstances. He had simply
snatched her away from the track
of the flying sled. He had perceiv-
ed no risk to himself, no sacrifice
he had been safely beyond any COLI
sion with the coaster-it was his
own awkward stumble on the treach-
erously CLASSY incline which had
caused his mishap. The peril was
over when be had slipped upon one
of his heels and fallen. 1t might
have happened just the same even if
he had not fastened CALAMITY to the
rescue OF distractingly pretty girl.
But there were trihing little
truths which he did not deem abso-
lutely necessary to reveal. 1t was
too pleasant to pose as wounded
hero, and to have his temporary con-
finement enlivened by the visits of
his graceful and interesting new ac-
quaintance. For his own sake he
preferred not to spoil her little illu.
sions on the subject.
And so Dorinda went homeward,
taking with her the image of an ele-
CANT figure and handsome counte.
nance of fascinating young strang-
err, whose tones were like music,
whose smile was like q fash Of sun.
light, whose brilliant, black eyes had
gazed admiringly, almost tenderly
into her own.
Her own great brown eyes we're
bright as stars, her cheeks flushed
with a curiously wayering rose tint,
as she at length entered the fine cid
yellow stone mansion at the further
end of the village street.
"What on earth has kept you SO
long, Dodo ~ queried a tall and
stately young lady in an elegant
morning dress Of Sevres blue satin.
"Did they have the kind of pacha
braid wanted at the store: or did
you forget your Grand, and stay all
this time gossiping with that simple
old Mrs. Merron ?"
The rose tint deepened to crimson
on Dodo's pretty cheeks, but she did
not choose to explain what had de-
tered her at Mrs. Merron's cottage
on the hill.
81 couldn't get the braid, Gretta;
they don't keep it," she answered.
SIT is bonnet braid, anyhow, and
that wouldn't do for your dress"
"a bonnet braid dear me How
stupid dressmaker can be I" Crotch
en- exclaimed, impatiently. "But if
she will only have the dress finished
somehow by the time Mr.. Lestrange
gets here | won't grumble about
minor blunders. And now, Dodo,
do be obliging and help me with the
trimmings of the ancient ball gown
sit is too ancient to be rejuyen-
lied, Greta it ought to be replaced
by new gown altogether" said
Dodo, looking with decided resist
ance at the task suggested.
''It depends on you, Dodo, wheth-
er we, any of US, ever have anything
new again." sighed faded little
woman from her invalid chair before
the fire.
Dodo looked distressed, and all
the lovely color suddenly paled from
her pretty cheeks.
"Oh, aunty, how does it depend
on me 2" she faltered, although she
guessed what the allusion meant.
~ think you will never quite for.
| get the hours which we have passed
together here" he said, with seem.
ingly regretful glance around the
room, and at motherly Mrs. Mer.
ron, asleep over her knitting before
the fire. "They have been hours to
be remembered by both of u.s.
He had been over her until his
dark mustache brushed her forehead;
he had elapsed both her hands.
There was the tenderest significance
in his musical tones; the fascination
of what seemed tenderest love, glow.
ed in the brilliant eyes.
Dcdo trembled. She had made
him her hero undoubtedly but in
that instant her whole being recoil-
ed from him. Why, she could not
have explained she only knew she
was aroused somehow to true
knowledge of her own feelings. He
had charmed her fancies for the mo.
ment, perhaps, but no love-sweet
and supreme-would ever thrill her
soul for him.
81 ought to have gone before he
continued, uneasily, as if he we're
dreading some reproach from Dodo
herself. "But was hardly present
able with pulled and purple bruise
decorating a goodly half of nv coun-