Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-02-23


ing gave way taking them both with It.
and leaving him on the broken edge,
safe
She covered her face with her hands
"Oh." she murmured. | didn't know.
What have | done?y
HE told me once" he went on, that
1t had left him with the feeling that
fire would never touch him, but that
to think OF anyone he cared for being
in q fire made him-weil, what you
saw"
They were silent for an instant
"Hullo." he said suddenly. they We
got the curtain down."
The two stood up. Firemen and po-
licemen were everywhere.
mo danger! No danger!"
The words passed from mouth to
mouth, and though they were not strict
" true, the effect of the lowered cur
tain was magical. The crowd was pre-
ceptibly thinner. noticeably caimer. but
round each exit were gruesome proofs
Of the violence OF the panic.
Elizabeth"
They looked at each other. Its
john" she said family.
yes" he said, and his smile was
bitter. Its John. Goodbye. Forget
it all, Elizabeth. Do you knOw-he
looked at his watch---it.s al hap
pened In less than ten miuutesS
Really" she said. ct can't be POS
sible." But her eyes were searching
for her husband.
The Other Man noticed IT. 'IElixa
BETH" be said, half shamefAcodly.
YES" she answered. her eyes search
ing the crowd.
"You are going to make up to him
somehow for-for saying that to
him."
Her eyes softened ana she hold out
her hand THAT was nice OF you" she
said gently. Yes, am going to make
up TO him. pray God, be will never
know what thought"
elizabeth" He had found her af
last. The Other Man slipped away.
eve found a way he exclaimed
breathlessly. "Come along"
"Oh," she cried, you've hurt your
hand; it's bleeding"
He held out the other to her. mo,
no: it's nothing. ! had rather bother
with the doors and windows. That's
why I've been so long"
She followed him silently.
When they were in their carriage and
on their way home there was an awk,
ward silence. Elizabeth had just
finished bandaging his hand with the
aid of both their handkerchiefs.
Dear" he said at last, would You
mind telling me why you--you asked
me to go away?"
She looked at him a reproachful
pout. "Must you inquire into all your
wife's weaknesses?" she asked
81 only wondered-"
"Of course" she interrupted, II knew
YOU would, and ] meant to tell you.
But you'll despise me. You've got a
very unheroic wife. John. When
asked you to 60 was-she went on
steadily-"I was nearly dead with
fright, and l couldn't bear to have you
to see It; SO I said the first thing
thought Of to get rid OF you while !
got over It: What did saw
didn't know what I was saying, John.
Butt did get over it."
His face cleared and he bent and
kissed her. His voice was very tender
Elizabeth, my wife" he said. do
You know'--he laughed iight-heart-
edly-"I've been worrying Ike every
thing about it. l fancied You thought
I was in a funk about myself. IL
thought you meant that"
She stared at him, then burst out
laughing Historically and threw her
arms round his neck 'Dh. you dear,
darling old stupid" she cried.
Don't you know yet that women
never mean what they seem to mean?"
He made a mock gesture OF despair.
$50 now that you seem to mean you
are-well, rather fond of me, Eliza
beth, what do you really meant"
She smiled up at him swiftly. THAT
consider you Just perfect" she whis-
pered.
Upstairs in their own room. when
he had gone down to give some orders
to the servants, Elizabeth wandered to
the window. Her eyes we're troubled.
Suddenly she knelt down and buried
her face in her hands. "God grant"
she supplicated, "that he will never
know do love him. have al
ways loved him---but that ! should
have thought him afraid" Sketch.