Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-08-04
TWO FAILURES;
ONE SUCCESS.

She was seated ca rustic bench be.
meath the trees, and he paced moodily up
and doNn before her.
II can't understand it," he said. paus.
ing at last. You refuse me fatty, and
yet you say you love me-"
"Im sorry, John-awfully sorry-bu'
you must understand now that it's final
l haze told you my reasons for the refl.
sal, and YOU must see they are good rea.
sons. AMI, as for the love, / don't feel
any of that hysteric and oyerpowering
passion that the story books tell about
but love YOU" ,er-e st
"Humph"'
Indeed l do. But just look. Neither
you nor | have a dollar, and we are both
orphans without prospects"
Il can make money. Kate"
Il don't believe it,"
"You ought to give me a chance, Kitty.
It's not fair. Wait year and only give
me a grain of hope, and III prove to you
what ! can do" --.---.@s-->------~'--es~~
''lt's Of no Use whatever" said the girl
firmly. You can't make money. You
haven't got the gift. You're not thrifty.
No, | won't wait at all. | won't delude
Nbh WIN w tl3 Il Ei&Ain VI hIVIs IL ltANA+ 4
have decided to put speedy end TO this
nonsense. l am going away--on TO the
city TO seek my fortune, John, aud if I'm
lueky"-and she laughed little sadly
Il shouldn't mind to send for you to come
and share my fortune with me-"
The young mans face flushed.
You've got very poor opinion of me,
Kitty"
t.II ov,, bord xa,, ,,,al-o IL fo~ I,o4t, ~
us" she exclaimed. "But listen. John.
If | should marry you and hard times
came upon us, as they would surely come,
poverty and humiliation and grim and
grimy want and desolation, should hate
you, John. And you would perhaps take
to drink or commit suicide. Oh it's too
tragiel 1t would be sinful to tempt fate
that way"
Il didn't think of all that" he said
brokenly. Il only knew that / loved
you"
And now, John. dear, dear John, good.
by" she said, rising. Let US part
friends"
He turned and caught her passionately
in his arms and covered her face with
kisses, swearing that he would never let
her go.
For moment she drank in his ca
resses. Then, more angry with herself
than with him. she pushed him back.
Leave me-" she said. Il will never
speak to you again."
1t was late in the afternoon of q sum
mer Sunday, and the park was filed with
the usual restless and motley throng-gay
ladies in gay turnouts. toll worn work
~. H..
under the trees, troops Of bieyelers whirl-
ing along the grayeled ways, maidens
shy and sweet lovers whispering divine
nonsense into eager ears-all the breath
and blood and brain and bone of the
great city stretching itself ont for an
hours rest and enjoyment.
\ young maiden. standing alone by the
shore of the lake, looked YEARLY at the
stream of life that flowed by her. What
did it matter to one of all that throng if
she hungered for sympathy and compan-
ionship? How much alone and how lone
ly she felt.
A little farther down a young man
stood, and he eazed not at the boats, nor
at the water, bat at the girl who seemed
so forlorn.
at looks like her" he murmured;
solder and whittier and thinner, yet so
much like her--as she might have looked
after Sickness
lie came closer and the girl turned
about, facing him.
John
Kitty
1t seemed lame greeting. They clasp
ed hands. Each looked at the other,
thinking Of the day they parted beneath
the trees, uncertain as to how their
friendship should be renewed
Have you been sick, Kitty?"
"No; do | look dilapidated 2"
'You look pale" he said gravely. HAS
the city treated you unkindly?"
at has given me my fortune John"
Il am glad to hear it, glad indeed"
Eyes" she said, with a nervous little
laugh, Took at this dress, John, and at
this last years hat and at these shabby
boots They tell the story / might be
only too glad to conceal"
"Why, | thought you were in the very
height of the style! he exclaimed. Il
am sure | never saw you 50 handsome"
There was a look of glad pleasure in
her eyes at this praise, but she shook her
head.
I'm a failure in this big town, John
And that's the fortune | found"
Mine is no better. have been here a
year now, and my career has proved the
truth of your prediction. When you re-
fused me that time, Kitty, you were &
fortunate girl"
do look fortunate, John?" she asked
softly.
you look like an angel" he said and
looked as il he believed it.
But you, YOU" and with critical gay
ETY. she surveyed him from head to foot,
you are well dressed, sir. You have a
watch and diamond and patent leather
shoes. Why, John, / declare, you are a
regular swell"
Il get SO a week." he said. laughing.
"Think of it, and only get So Twelve
dollars a week! Why, John, l tell you
that's riches"
You wouldn't advise a man to marry
on it, would you, KateT he asked, try
ing to look in her eyes.
But she turned her head away and
pretended not to hear
4 s. III -. l.