Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-01-22

US go over and look at The pictures,
they are more in our line"
As they moved of fellow editor
buttonholed Mr.. Theobald and with
a promise to meet them at dinner he
disappeared with his friend.
Thus it chanced that Prof. Raw
linson fell into step with Miss Theo-
bald. She walked on, glancing
about her with an air too extremely
Indifferent to be quite natural. The
professor EYED her with an amused
twinkle.
81 came near giving myself away
awhile ago, didn't II" he said at
last, in voice where laughter Turk
ed.
ibid you ~ inquired Felissa, in a
politely interested tone. ITO whom,
| was not noticing p
At which speech he laughed out
right.
"After you had declined TO recall
our previous acquaintance, too |
wonder what they think p
Felissa lost some of her dignity !;
"commend me to man for bung-
ling" she said wrathfully.
Professor Rawlinson stroked his
mustache and smiled. "You are the
same Felissa, / see, always ready to
break lance"
personal remarks are not in good
taste,n interrupted Felissa, ss she
regained her dignity. How dared
he address her so familiarly, with
maybe wife and dozen children !?
$50 you are determined to ignore
that episode OF the past?' asked
Rawlison.
"That remark is in far worse
taste,' rejoined Felissa.
"You remember Tom Darcy, don't
you Z"
Felissa looked straight ahead and
never answered. Was ever man so
persevering? Remember Tom Oar.
cy? She supposed she cid. Was
it not over him that they had quar-
relied and parted ?
"He dritttd into our town a few
months ago half dead with consump-
ton. Poor fellow, he did not last
long. It was he who told me you
had never married"
Miss Theobald started violently.
What did John Rawlinson mean by
raking up that old affair she asked
herself with inward tumhlt. She
had suffered, but she had gotten
over it, and now for him to revive it
was just like man S cruelty.
A hundred memories thronged
about her.
That day in tho woods when be
told her that he loved her, how sweet
the smell of the pines and penneroy-
al was es they crushed it under foot.
She was Sc happy, in glad, care
less sort of way.
Then little cloud arose and it
grew larger and larger till the storm
broke over their heads and their
paths separated.
For the first time in her life she
quailed at the vista of lonely years
stretching before her. She felt q
swift contraction of her throat, a
mist rose to her eyes, blotting out
the pictures she had come to see.
Once she stumbled slightly and
Professor Rawlinson caught her
hand in his.
"Take care" he said. He felt her
hand tremble IN his and he had one
fieeting glimpse of her eyes. They
were full of tears.
"Come,' peremptorily. "Let us
get out in the air, and away from
this crowd"
Felissa suffered him to lead Ter
away. She was ashamed and humil-
lated, but womanlike, she endeayor-
ed to conceal it.
"This is much BETTER as they
walked slowly along under the blue
sky. 81 felt quite faint in there"
II don't like crowds said Raw
linson ''and am glad to have you
to myself for awhile"
He removed his hat and rumpled
up bis grizzled locks ferociously.
l want to tell you little story
he continued. "Once upon time
there was noble youth-that's the
regulation style, isn't it ?-who low
ed fair maiden. The course of
true love never runs smooth, you
know. He was jealous, and she was,
let us say-fond of admiration-a
flirt. the youth called her once, which
was very wrong of him, don't you
think SO ~
"Perhaps he had provocation,p
murmured Felissa.
"Well-he thought be had, at all
events. There was one young fellow
whom he singled out as the object of
his jealousy, and it finally parted
these two foolish, loving hearts.
think they were loving-be loved
the maiden, l know, but love does
not always win love 10 return. What
do you think, Miss Felissa7y
sShe loved him too faintIv