Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-01-23

4 y
daughters--that is, if he may be eligible.
well, / was rich and eligible. ! cas-
lily worked my way back into the society
! had quit for what is styled Bohemia.
! | saw young women far more sweet and
attractive than those who shine at pub
| lie balls, late suppers and fancy resorts.
And among them shone conspicuous my
cousin Amy. / had never entirely given
up her society, but Of late years ! had
seen less and less Of her. 1t seemed to
me her manner had changed She was
now woman Of the world, with her
three crowded seasons behind her. New
York, Newport. London and the Riviera
had been her stamping grounds. and
even her INFINITE swectness--pardon the
repetition Of the word, but il fitted her
was partially covered though not ef-
faced by the manner Of the woman Of
20 years. / had not noticed this, or at
any rate dwelt upon it. in our few
meetings in the meantime.
Amy was still and had never ceased
to be fond Of me as an old friend and
playmate, for in the far away old days
we had even played together as children
will. But could never regain my exact
old footing. After while she did let
me get little closer, and then later
thought / noticed sometimes a return Of
something like the old camaradarie.
Was falling in love with Amy? did
not say so. Then one day heard some
thing and the next day she told me
something herself.
II knew the fellow and liked him.
He was all that man should be, and il
any man could claim such standing
he was worthy of Amy. Still, for a mo-
ment ! hated him, and could / have
heard Of his disgrace / would have re-
ioiced; hardly knew why, but | felt
why. But Amy was very happy, so
happy that | forgave him, and she soft
ened more toward me.
''This is all Of my story. It's enough
lor it's story Of what was missed and
Of fortune turned away from the door
at the first and last call. How do
know? will tell you Amy was to be
married after Easter. During Lent
passed few days at her fathers place
ON the Hudson She was so happy and
grateful to this old world for her happi-
ness that she opened all her heart to me
and told me her hopes and plans. So
selfish is entire happiness If she had
confined herself to her future / might
still have been fairly happy even in her
and his happiness. But in the fullness Of
her spirits Amy lapsed into reminis
cence.
During one of our close and cordial
conversations | noticed look on her
expressive face, a look half quizzical,
half amused, and then she turned to me
and smiled Blushed? No. But when
she told me this story / left her for
moment saying | thought would smoke
cigar though l forgot to light it when
l got on the veranda.
II had spoken of her happiness. and
without thinking what was saying |
asked her familiarly
"'Amy, is that lucky fellow the first
or are you giving him only the rem
nants of affection a pretty girl has left
after three years of society," She
laughed gayly and without embarrass
ment. Yes and no, she answered. I
have met no man in society i consider
his equal in any way, and he has all
the affection possess, but must make
a confession to you, and l can do so
safely now. was in love once before,
and oh, how in love l was. 1t was a
foolish affair, she said smiling, but at
the time / was terribly in earnest. /
have quite recovered, so / can tell you
all about it. Do you remember some
years ago when you were still quito re-
spectacle and used to come and take tea
with us every Sunday evenings?
"'Of course l do, l answered rather
testify.
Well, you never knew l was in
love then, did your
why no, certainly not, never
thought of it. You were child, re-
piled.
"'I was Is, she said, and l was
very much in love, and with you, You
silly goose. You never knew it, you
paid no attention to me, but would talk
to father or some of the guests, and l
would sit up and drink in your words
and think them wisdom. Why, l re-
member one evening when | was sent
up to bed at o'clock | came back after
the maid was gone and sat at the head
of the stairs where l could hear you
speaking. Then my feelings got the bet
ter of me and began to cry. Mamma
heard me, but you didn't, and she came
after me and sent me back to bed, be-
sides giving me a good lecturing.
And Amy laughed heartily and /
thought with unnecessary gayety. And
so / made a fool of myself. In a mo-
ment felt that my cousin Amy was the
one woman in the world for me and that
she had really always been. (And she
will always be-,
and / said to her, Amy, you are
telling me Of years ago, may tell you
something Of the present timer But she
understood me, and Amy was loyal.
For moment only she seemed startled
and drew a long breath. Then she
smiled again
No, nor she said with her old gay
ETY., when your story is as old as mine,