Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-10-15


I'll II missed being Objectionable This.
however. was one Of the few oceas
Ions which had come her way upon
which she could distinctly congratu.
late herself: dinner In compliment
to my dear Barbara" perfectly APP
pointed dinner, too. and one | think
most of her guests enjoyed For my
self, | thought II would never end
Most OF Barbara's friends were
there and but few OF Ankony's The
Forlorn Hope was there to man,
seeking to present an unbattered
front. ! had a kindred feeling for
them. Dan was not there. Ho simply
would not go. Bishop Winstanley sat
on the left of the hostess. beside Miss
Streeter, He was delightfully."- fluent.
and she alphabetically attendant.
The soft light of the candles fell on
her hair, on her pure contour. on her
ivory skin and her pale shimmering
gown. She ate. as the rest OF us, but
to me II was exactly as II Correggio
or Botticelll had leaned from her
frame to nibble sweet wafer or trihe
with salad. Occasionally she spoke,
but ! did not hear what she said
seem never. somehow. to hear her
say anything, but when one looks az
she does what one says is immaterial.
Barbara was scintIllant, with all
her old charm illuminated as II we're,
by something new and viyifying with
in. watched her with sinking
heart; surely she cared for Ankony or
she could not look like this I told
myself so half hundred times
through dinner, and after. finding her
with only three men dancing attcn.
dance upon her, promptly put them
all to rout that might carry her on
and have It over.
Come out and see the roses"
said.
mr.. Ankony showed me them be-
fore dinner. They are beautiful"
But he didn't show you the moon.-
] smiled. trying to keep to the old
way Of chatting and laughter and no
not frighten her into being guarded.
There Is very benign lady smiling
out OF 1t tonight, instead Of our fat
friend with the round face and the
wide grin. DO come. You really must
see.
She arose with a laugh. II suppose
| may as well, or you'll be peopIing II
with all sorts OF impossible creatures
just to tempt me-
We went through the French win
dows together, and I found her a
chair at the corner OF the long porch.
l turned 1t about for her.
But It's directly in the light" she
objected.
Exactly. ] like you in the light.
can see you better
You could have seen me much bet
ter indoors. II that Is all you want"
1T isn't all want ! am DOT SO
modest. My wants are large tonight.
Were they ever otherwise7" she
smiltngly inquired.
You ought to know My prayers
have all been made to you"
"oh, absurd You don't expect me
to believe that, Mr.. Twining."
Those OF them that have amounted
to anything" I modified
THAT Is better. But what is II you
want tonight? You make me curious
Unable to keep up the bantering
tone longer and fearing a sudden i'm
terruption, leaned to her quickly:
Il want you tell me the truth about
something, Barbara; will your"
She moved little so that her eyes
were In the shadow
Il don't quite like the sound Of your
voice" she confessed; still lightly, 1T
makes me little apprehensive'
Won't you be serious, and honest?v
] begged.
Dear me. am ever anything else
than honesty'
"Often. but come"
Why. what can you be about to
ask me2'
Only II you are happy Don't start
and don't be angry with me- And
don't answer hastily nor with evasion.
/ am not to be eyaded. You must I'M
derstand how serious am to have put
such question to you"
1T is certainly the most extraordin.
airy behavior" she remarked colby.
She was looking at me with widely
qutntioutuS eyes, anu sue udi SiOW -
suddenly white. Did / know what
Dan had done? That was what she
was asking herself, am sure. II am
entirely at loss to explain why you
should have dared to ask me this
Il owe It to myself TO make sure.
Barbara" told her. "Will you an
swer me?"
This Is not the real reason for your
most unheard-of behavior" she said In
q tense voice There must be some
thing else What is it?''
"Shall / tell your"
You must"
"Ankony is not the man you could
have been expected to love" | blum
dered. not knowing how TO find my
way beneath her eyes. do you love
him? II you tell me that you do.
viii not distress you further"