Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-12-05

1t was q pleasant. lively scene ard
Carried Ncvil Er"ol;rS back In his early
youth. Seated in Il comfortable lnunS-
Ing chair on the porch. he had a full
view of half II dozen little girls en-
gagged III III" old-faShi"ncd game of
hop SCOTCH
'p"h III" smooth, cement pavement
the group had drawn in chalk the con-
ITc'Ii"nal body OF the subdividrd din-
gram. rounding it with "ile moon" to
attain which. by hopping on one foot
ana speeding a fiat pebble without rest
1hS on line WIS to score victory.
Suddenly the play suspended
"oh. there's Marty Doanc--shc will
SNOW lis how 1" flip into The moon. :"
arose in innultunus shout.
frn".:"S leaned ever toward the
street l" make ont IL girl Of about sew
"nt""n. cNIuiSitcly dainty in form and
feature with Il wealth Of sunny golden
hair like an aurrnlc, and 1.-the and
graceful in all her movements 4
ripping smile irradiatcd her lips and
Sh" welcomed the Juvenile onslaught
with carc>Sing kindlincSS
The detachable Marty's loving and
she took her position mt goal" set
III" pebble given her, and proceeded
TO demonstrate her capability as u hop
scotch expert. Brookes watched her
with profound admiration.
Just then an 0TclIircSSed. Slat;ernly
woman appeared, great. hulking
young man at her side. She darted
forward as she made out the girl.
whats thiS?" she shouted mt
Marty. "Nicc actions for woman
grown. and promised
: ''PromiScd?" cried the girl scorn-
fully. 'Who to:"
TO him. Dan Reeves" and the wom-
An indicated her companion.
'Wh" promised mc?" challenged
Marty.
II did; ard didn't he give YOU "A
rinr:"
''Nnu mean he forced II on mo"
fiar"d M the girl. There is his cheap
gift - and tearing Il taw,lry crcct
from her finger she flung II TO the pave
1n"ni. gave II Il blow with her toe. and
added: "If he ever tries to kiss me
again III Kill him. and If You lay
y"ur hands on me I'll run away" and
girl left the spot. her head high in
The air.
Ncvl Hro"lrs WAS recovering from
III Of sickness ana had sought rest
and quiet in the boarding house where
h" WAS passing his c"nvalcscenc". He
asked his laud!ady about the girl who
had Interested him.
"Oh. YOU mean Mar pnane." spoke
the woman. Poor girI . hut good girl
Her father died. leaving her to the
mrrci"s of n cruel stcpIno,her. who is
anxious 10 get rid OF her care and
has tried 10 favor the suit Oc that
Reeves fellow, hut Marty dcSIises
him"
There was little park Tint BrookeS
Stroiled in every morning. and the
next day he WAS attracted by the
sound Of low s"hbing beyond some
shAIhbery. He went over to the SPOT
Upon bench. q bundle M hcr feet
and weeping bitterly, was the hop
scotch girl.
Are !6u in trouble. miSsr" spoke
Broohcs gently. 81 have seen YOU b.
fore, and We live in the same neigh
borhood."
Marty read sympathy and interest
In III" clerr. open face. ~ am going
HMey from my Stcpmnthrr and the
man She is trying 10 make me marry"
she said and | shall never come
back. Oh, sir, IS il very far 10
Wickhum:"
"Why do you ask that:" inquired
Ncvil.
''EcC"us" In" only friend | have in
The worlG lives there. She was Mol.
lie Foster, ana she married Ned vii.
ION three years age and they settled
down at Wickham year ago Nellie
Wrote ne chat they had II darling little
baby. and love children. ANA I know
That N",li" would give Inc 1t home"
: sudden impulse urged the tender
hearted Reeves 70 assist This homeless
wir. His own ne was lonely and
l"r distress moved him I" pity
III you wiz trust ne, ! viii see YOU
safely (" Wicliii0m," he said.
"Ch. sir, viii ynuf" cried Marty rap.
tur"l>iy. Il am sur" Nellie will pay
YOU hacl. for the fare"
"Nvv"r mind ihntF' said Reeves. and
her childish delight looking from the
ear window and hopeful "aCcrness
when they reached WicI;bnm revealed
~" uutWlnrcd soul OF the trusifGl girl
They reached fhr former home If
IL" Wilton~ to find Il sign "fnr rent"
~ Abe neat litli" cottage. ana ~ neigh.
bor informed them t',nt the family had
moved 20 q farm Somewhere out
west"
Marty dropped I" step. picture