Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-05-08

of his interest.
Again the tender chords of men,
DRY were touched and his big chest
heaved like huge bellows pumped
by a smith.
The voice of the village church
poured out its richness in stream of
glory, Overwhelmingly yet inspiring
him withsits refreshing. The woman
was singing the Last Rose of Sum-
mer." 4 touch of sadness pervaded
her voice, which now and then near.
~ quivered with emotion as she de-
clared the solitariness of the flower
and the death of its fellows. She
was singing in the great hall and the
liquid tones poured through the
open windows.
When she had done he sighed
heavily, arose and strobe abruptly
away from his friend, who, with
mild surprise upon his countenance,
likewise stood upon his feet and fol-
lowed after Bradnor.
The latter proceeded on his way
until he reached the long piazza,
when he faced about and paused up
on the very brink of the broad fight
of steps.
His friend drew near and was
about to address him, when party
of ladies approached from within
and both gentlemen moved as if to
permit them to have greater freedom
in passing.
Bradnor, in his abstraction, step
ped backward instead of forward
with the result that he lost his foot
ing, slipped and fell heavily, rolling
over until he reached the ground.
Instantly everything was in con-
fusion. The friend, whose name
was Jerlyn, ran rapidly down the
steps and hastily leaned over the
PROSTATE man, while the ladies look.
ed anxiously on from the piazza.
Other guests were quickly attracted
to the spot.
"My GodP' cried Jerlyn, looking
upward towards the ladies, after he
had touched the forehead and the
wrist of Brandon. II am afraid the
dear old fellow is dreadfully hurt
A physician was hastily summon
ed but meantime the injured man
had been tenderly borne by strong
arms to his bed chamber. He re.
covered consciousness after some mo.
ments and when careful examina
ton had been made the medical man
declared that no bones were broken
but that a badly sprained ankle
would ce6fae Bradnor to his bed fol
many days.
The young. stalwart fellow, with
his six feet of height and broad
shoulders, chafed under the latter
sentence. He did not feel ill, al
though the pain was intense in his
ankle. But the doctor was obdur.
ate, declaring that most serious re-
suits would be likely to follow any
attempt upon bis part to arise from
his bed for week, at least.
With groan the man turned his
face away and presently fell asleep,
from the effects of an opiate that had
been administered in his arm.
The following morning he dozed
fitfully, the effects of the drug not
having worn away, but with the af-
ternoon his intelligence returned to
| him.
His eyes ranging over the room
he saw upon his dressing case great
cluster of red roses and he wondered
who had given them to him but the
thought was an evanescent one. Per-
haps he thought it was an act OF
Jerlyns, who had spent the greater
part of the day in his room.
Day after day, however, he observ-
ed that fresh ones were supplied to
replace the others. When q week
had passed, he turned suddenly up.
on Jerlyn and thanked him for his
care and the gift of the flowers.
FLOWERS, what flowers ~ demand
ed Jerlyn, nervously. He was lit
tie nervous man, who spoke rapidly.
"Didn't know you cared for 'em. I
don't. Cabbages are much more to
my taste, especially when boiled
with bacon or beef"
Bradnor did not pursue the sub
ject, but he brooded over it all the
more. He Lad no acquaintance or
friend at the Springs save Jerlyn,
and he was sure the landlord had
not provided them.
He was now able to sit in an easy
chair and the doctor had promised
that within day or two her might,
with the aid of crutches, leave his
room and mingle with the guests of
the hotel.
The following morning be was
awake when Bridget, the chamber
maid, entered his room and was sur.
prised TO see her bearing cluster of
fresh roses in her hands.
Bridget he said, with firmness,
"come here.'
The girl, somewhat trepidant, ap-
preached his bedside, still holding
the flowers.
$50 it is you who have been fill.
ing that vase every morning, is it ~