Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-01-17

And new. quite unlike most young
ladies, who deem their love missives
sacred. Chip showed hers to Aunt
ABBY.
ITS from Raymond Stctson,- she
said. rather bashfuliy. "a boy who was
In the woods with those people who
were kind to me. and we became very
good friends"
Aunt Abby smiled as she perused its
contents.
And so he was the cause Of your
running away from Greenvaie." she
said. why didn't ron write him
aote OF thanks after you learned he
had been searching for you? | think
as deserved that much. at least
Z wouldn't humble myself Chip
answered spiritedly. and then was
ashamed TO let any one know I had
used his name. hadn't time TO think
what name to give when Uncle Jud
asked me, and his was the first that
came to mind she added naively.
Aunt Abby laughed.
Il guess Master Stetson won't find
forgiveness hard TO earn she said.
and then her face heamed at the dis
closure OF romance while she read
the letter a second time.
But there was more TO tell. as Aunt
Abby knew full we'll, and now. bit by
bit. she drew the story from Chip.
even TO the admission of the tender
scenes between these two lovers, in
which they promised to love each
other and be married.
1t was silly, suppose" Chip con-
tinued blushingly. but | didn't know
any better then. and | was SO happy
that ! didn't think about II at all I
never had beau before, you see, and
| guess | acted foolishly. Old Cy used
to help us. too and took us away SO
we could have chance to hold hands
and act silly. | was so lonesome. too.
for Ray all that winter In Greenvale,
and nobody knew IL. l walked a mile
to meet the stage every night for a
month, TO be the first to see him when
he came. guess he must have
thought he owned me- wouldn't do
II now
Once more Aunt Abby laughed, o
good. hearty laugh, and then. much to
Chips establishment. she took her face
In her hands and kissed IL.
you dear little goose. she said,
and to think yon ran away from a
boy you cared for like that | only
hope he is coed enough for you, for
can see what the outcome will be"
That night when the tea-table had
been cleared and the lamp lit, Aunt
Abby once more began her adrolt ques-
tioning of CHIP; but this time IL was
Of OIL Cy. and ali about him For an
hour. Chip. nothing loath. recited his
praises, repeated his odd sayings, de-
scribed his looks and ways and por-
trayed him as best she could. while
Aunt Abby smiled content.
TT makes me feel young again to
hear your story and about Cyrus" she
said when all was told. 4 was just 16
when he first came to see me. He was
also my first beau, you know. should
judge he must have changed so I
would never know him. and maybe he
wouldn't recognize me. Forty years Is
long tIme!" And she sighed.
And now Aunt Abby closed her
eyes. let fall her knitting, and lapsed
into bygones,
No longer was she staid and ma
| tronly widow--not young, 1t is true,
yet not old, but with rounded face,
| few wrinkles and slightly gray hair.
| instead was she sweet Abby Grey OF
the long ago, and once more the belle
Of this quiet village and Bayport, and
the leader at every dance. every husk.
Ing, and every party. Once more she
primped and curied her hair, and
| donned her best. and waited her sailor
boys coming. Once more she heard
| the bells Jingle and saw the stars
twinkle ar they sped away to a winter
nights dance-and once more she felt
the sorrow of parting. the long years
Of waiting. waiting, waiting. and at
last the numb despair and anal con.
yiction that never would her lover re
turn.
And row he was stiil alive. though
wanderer, and some day he might
surely would come TO zee her, just
once, II no more.
All. me-" she said. rousing herself
ct last and looking at Chips smiling.
suany race. life IS a queer riddle. and
| SO aver know how to guess it.
Thea she sighed again
CkAPYER XXX.
Sore sneering critic once said that
few Young men ever start out In the
| world until they are kicked out, and
there Is grain OF truth IN that as
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