Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-04-18
STAUNTON, VA, WEDNESDAY. APRIL 8 1856.

dering no little at Ernest's strange demeanor TO-.
wards herself, Anna felt for many days detected
and unhappy.
The correspondence thus commenced was faith
fully continued, and in one Of Mrs. Clayton's let
tiers written some months afterwards, she told Of
having lately called to see Mrs. Stanley whom
she found evidently in the last stages of disease
and upon speaking to her of Anna, and of their
pleasant correspondence, Mrs. Stanley had ex-
pressed great desire to see her neice once
more.
Mrs. Clayton suggested that Anna, without
waiting for regular holiday, should take little
respite from arduous duties, and pay her visit ;
thus 100 affurding an opportunity for gratifying
poor Mrs. Stanley. Regarding it as duty she
owed her aunt in her present extremity Anna at
once determined to 60. Mrs. Clayton received
her cordially, and as soon as practicable, accom-
panied her to the bedside of Mrs. Stanley, whom
they found much humbled by her changed and
unhappy circumstances. The poor woman was
almost overcome by this unexpected generosity on
the part of one whom she had often treated with
great incivity, and at times with even cruel
harshness. Anna soon discovered that Mrs Stan
ley was not merely changed in appearance, but
she trusted was wlhal changed in heart and feel
| ing.
She had been living with kind and religious
family whose sympalhies and pious influences had
effected much towards inducing her to seek that
peace which the world can neither give nor take
away.
Much of their intercourse was at first but
painful remniseence, for both had suffered deeply
since their parting; yet it was source of no lii
tie satisfaction to them 10 be thus permitted to
console each other ia mutual sympathy. OF the
absent daughter and cousin they often conversed,
and Anna one day, at the request of her aunt,
wrote to Alice But before the letter could have
reached its destination, Mrs. SlanleNwas number
ed with the dead. Anna was near her in that
last trying hour soothing her sorrows, and minis
tering ~ every wish, with the devotion of an af-
feeiionate daughter. In the arms of this gentle
girl, Mrs. Stanley resigned herself to death, and
breathed with her latest sigh grateful blessing
on her head.
During her stay in Richmond. Anna once or
twice met Ernestin her path, and although she
would have spoken, he, with merely cold bow
of recognition, passed on. Surprised and hurt at
this mysterious conduct, she could only account
for it, by presuming that his feelings towards her
had undergone an entire change; or that he at
least wished to convey such an impression. Sem
sitive herself concerning her altered worldly cir
cumstances, she wondered if that fact could have
thus affected his nature and yet she felt that she
might be deeply wronging him by such suspi-
clon.
Soon after the funeral of Mrs Stanley. Anna
returned to her school, from which she had been
absent some two weeks and sought relief from
sad and painful thoughts in the faithful discharge
OF her daily duties.
CHAPTER VII.
s'The Spring is here, the dclicated- footed May,
With its slight fingers full of leaves and flowers,
And with it comes thirst to be away,
Wasting in woodpaths its yoluptuous hours"
One bright moonlight evening some few weeks
after her return from the city Anna was startled
from the revere in which she had been indulging
at an open window of her apartment by the sud
den and unceremonious entrance of Thomas Ches-
ter. her eldest pupil, followed by some three or
four more all evidently in high state of excite
ment.
Here, Miss Anna," said Tom, "here's note
for you that was left here to-day by Billy Bland,
and he told me it was to ask you to join the party
that's going up to the top of Farview in the morn
ing to have pic mic up there; and we've just
come to beg that you'll go, and allow us a holl-
day. Pa and Ma have both said | may gallant
you. as your Philadelphia beau aint here now
you know, and intend to make real spIurge
on my new saddle and pony Nan-you'll go went
you?"
''Say yes! say yes?" shouted the whole
school, who had by this time precipitated them
selves en- masse into her room.
"Stop a moment, pray" exclaimed Anna,
"whIle find out something more ofthis proposed
party and holiday the rest of you keep very qui-
ct now, while Tom tells me all about it,"
"Well, Miss Anna," said Tom, assuming an
air of great importance from having been chosen
spokesman. 'you see party of young ladies and
gentlemen is going to the top of the mountain for
the view, and reckon they II take lots of cakes
and good things, and have capital dinner up
there"
"And what is the occasion of the party just
now Thomas, things are rather uncommon
in the neghborhood think ~
"Yes, they haven't taken such trip for good
while, not since you came here | believe, but
mother says Nanny Bland and her brother got
this up on account of the young man that's just
got back from Europe, forty second cousin. who
is going to marry Nanny before long :-butI ex-
pect you know all about him, as he called and en-
quired for you one day. when You was gone down
10 the store just before you went 10 Richmond"
Anna became interested to know more relative |
to the stranger, Of whose visit she now received
the first inimaion. Tom, glad of an opporuni
ty for exercising his coloquial powers, went on
to detail the conversation that had passed between
the gentleman and black Dick, and himself-he
happening to be at the wood pile that day ma
king handle for his tumahawk, among other
things he said; -
dick told the gentleman that he was from
home then, and you was going down to Richmond
next day TO see sick lady; but he hoped you
wouldn't stay long, because you couldn't be spar
ed from the school room no how at all. He told
The gentleman too he was 'mightly afeard' we
would have to give you up altogether before long
Is you had very nice beau coming to see you
real Philadelph lawyer, and"-
Anna here tried to stop TOMS volubility, but
le would 60 to say-"and then he rode right
IF without another word. not even having the
manners to tell me and Dick good morning."
Anna dismissed the intruders with a promise
O decide for them by the morning, on the propo
ition for holiday. On opening the note she
uund it contained very pressing invitation from
Nanny Bland and her brother to take seat in
heir carriage on the proposed excursion to the
The note required no reply as
Nanny refused to admit any denial whatever. {
Nanny Bland, whom we have hitherto neglect. :
to introduce to our readers, was not so lightly
steemed by Anna she was her recently discov
red treasure. The daughter of distinguished r
lwyer, whose success in his profession had plac-
d his family in atflaence, she had been brought
p with all the advantages which her accomplish $
4 and indulgent parents could 50 well supply 7
Iaving had the benefits of the best schools, on
'el-pTepared pupilage at home, and with a mind
aturally acute, yet highly judicious, she was en-
owed with rare mental excellence. And wiha, q
er confessed personal beauty formed graceful $
citing for her brilliant mind. Z
Her father having retired from professional life, .