Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-10-21
PLAYING WITH FATE.
BY EMMA E. REFS.

Harry followed the porter into the
parlor car, folded up his overcoat, and
settled down to read but be could not
fix his attention upon his novel.
The occupant OF the opposite seat dis
turbed him Apparently she was asleep
and unconscious of travelling backward.
She was pale and there was pathetic
droop to her lips The book in her lap
was slowly but surely slipping from her
unheeding fingers.
Its slow progress troubled Harry. He
wished the volume would travel faster
and get the threatened catastrophe over
with, so that he might attend COM
fortably to his own reading.
The expected happened at last, how
ever The owner of the book opened a
pair of startled brown eyes and looked
straight into Harrys interested blue
ones.
why, Harry" she exclaimed, flush
ing from throat to brow. rs il really
you? You're not ghost?"
Certainly no ghost said Harry
ITO think that | didn't know you, Be-
atrieel But it's been--let me see how
many years?"
Don't speak Of years; what are you
doing in this part of the country"
I'm going to Ridgefield to spend Sun
day"
so am l."
Harry did not think il necessary to
state that the main purpose of his going
was to ask certain young woman an
important question. Perhaps, as things
turned out. it was quite as wen that he
refrained from going into details
do you remember" asked Beatrice,
what good times we used to have in the
rose garden?"
We were next-door neighbors, then,
weren't we? used to crawl through the
hedge on my hands and knees to visit
you. What was it we used TO play?'
"Supposing. 'Sposin',' we called it
then"
'Oh, ! remember You sat on the
bench near the beehiyes, with your lap
full of big pink and white roses. and /
sat on the ground at your feet 1t be-
gan like this: 'Sposin pirate should
come and carry you away"
I'm great big ship with lanteen
sails"
And crew Of murderous Las
cars"
And chests full of gold"
Gold, certainly. I'd follow"
Would you, Harry?"
'Of course said Harry, not noticing
that the girls voice had grown tremu-
lous. ''S'posin' this is the ship
'Yes-yes-"
And we're sailing-sailing-
ITO a far-off country. and the pirate is
waiting on the shore"
Beatrice glanced apprehensively over
her shoulder.
Waiting to seize me and carry me off
to his dungeon. Yes, go on | can see
him
I'D draw my sword and STAY him,
and say; Fair one. be mine Come
to these arms. love theei''
20, Harry You-didn't say II. aft.
erward, when-I used to wonder some.
times"
The girls face flushed, and then
paled suddenly
But the pirate didn't come. You
didn't need me. If he had you
know"
But / think-T have reason to be
lieve I'll find him waiting at the sta
ton. He's wealthy pirate with chests
OF gold, and-the family expects it,"
IN run him through with my
hroadsword-my umbrella-if you say
So
No. it's too late I rather think !
shall have to let him carry me off
and yet posin at the same mo.
ment"
'Norwalk-all change," the conduc
tor called out Justify
Harry leaned forward
Let me take your bag. You are
sure"
Look! Just inside the gate"
''Not Anderson, Beatrice? Surely
not Anderson. of all men?"
Eyes. Anderson. The pirate, you
know"
Beatrice, s'posin-oh. Beatrice, lei
me save you,"
DO you mean"
''Yes, everything Quick, May
save you-now-always l Away.
meant to- Beatrice"
'Oh, do, dol" cried the girl. with 9
lovely color flooding her face, and hel
eyes dewy with tears of joy.-Ameri
can Queen.