Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-12-06


awakened real emotion in his breast"
etc., etc. After that said no more, but
closely observed the lovers, and, soon came
to the conclusion that Fred was by no
means disagreeahle to her. Things went
on in this way without any definite results
until Fred received studded summons
home on account of his mothers illness.
4 When he came back to renew his visit he
insisted upon staying at the Oakhill Hotel
rather than wear out his welcome at our
house, and finding remonstrance unavail
ing; there he went. The landlord (honest
i old Downsbury-I wonder if he vet lives)
i gave Fred, at my suggestion, his best bed
room, No. 20"-I am particular in men
tioning the number s.He shall have No
20, said Bloomsbury. "Any friend of
yours, master Augustus, shall have the
best I have to give as long as I'm land
Z lord" 1t swas pleasant room, looking
out on the distant hills and the beautiful
winding branch Of the Black Water; but
what cared Fred for scenery? he was in
the hands of the blind god. and could not
see even as far as his nose, except in the
direction Of Bellies cottage. I used to 90
over to Fred's room and smoke my cigar,
while he, poor wretch, expatiated on his
sutferings, doubts, and solicitudes Did
she love him? that was the question which
disturbed every moment Of his existence,
and to which, with the closest reasoning,
he could not bring himself a satisfactory
reply. Sometimes he thought word or
sigh settled the point beyond doubt in
his favor; and at others he fancied he read
a GOODNESS and Indifference in her eyes,
In this condition Of uncertainty he dare
not press the question lest hasty step
might bring him to grief
At Ered's earnest solicitation | promised
to sound Belle as to her sentiments, if
favorable opportunity presented itself, OR
at any rate to let her know that Fred was
languishing i'll distress on her account, and
thus give her no excuse for unnecessarily
prolonging his misery. It SO happened,
however, that my services were not called
into requisition. Belle Bronson, because
Of the sudden arrival at her house of some
country cousins. was obliged to give up
her room-her mothers cottage being
small one-and to occupy for a single
night room at the hotel We would
cheerfully have offered her guests accom-
modations at our house, but we were in
the same predicament. An agricultural
fair in the village had brought many stran-
gers into the place, and our own guests
Were so numerous that [ had given up my
room, and had intended asking Fred Evans
to let me pass the night with him.
For this purpose went to the hotel at
a late hour, and proceeded at once to
Fred's room, but to my surprise found no
one there. I did not even notice that his
trunk was gone: or suspect the fact, which
afterwards became apparent, that "to OBJ
1ige some lady guest for this night only"
as the landlord expressed it, Fred had con-.
sented to giveup mo. 20" and occupy a
small room in rear of the building. The
gas being turned up, took book to await
his return, and hearing at least what APP
peared to be steps approaching the room,
and supposing it to be Fred, in monen-
tary impulse, to play a joke on him, [
slipped under the bed, a large and high
one, intending to initiate cat (of which
animal [ knew he had a detestation) as
soon as he entered the room, when from
my hiding place beheld Belle Bronson take
quiet possession of the apartment!
My astonlshment was so great, and the
sense Of modification SO intense, that did
not, as [ should have done, make myself
! Immediately known to her. Thus the OPP
portunity for discovery and explanation
was lost. dared no5 move hair, but
hoped sincerely that some excuse might
take her out Of the room for a moment,
and so facilitate my escape. She, however,
locked the door, removed the key, and as
[ knew by the sound, prepared to retire
Finally she kneeed down beside the bed,
and clasping her hands and bowling her
head ESQ fearfully near to mine that could
hear the soft words in my very ear she
offered up her evening prayer in manner
so feeling, and with such sweet accents of
womanlY tenderness and devotion, that [
felt as if she was an angel bending over
the vilest of mortals That prayer went
to my heart; but one portion went through
it and held it captive Never shall [ for
get my feelings Of surprise and deep emo
ton when I heard her utter these words:
BLESS my dear mother, sisters, and friends;
bless all around me, and, O God bless
him | love Augustus Evergreen, and show
er down thy mecries over him. Amen"
"Ah Augustus" said my divinity to her.
self, as she rose from her devotional atti-
tude, If you but knew that named your
very name in my prayers, you would be
! less Indifferent to me p
If breathed short before. after this my.
breath seemed to desert me entirely, and
| verify thought that the beating of my
heart would betray me. Belle, pure as an
angel to me then, and white as snow
fake, proceeded to turn off the gas and get
into bed. I felt her soft pressure over me,
and shrunk closer and closer to the hard
floor upon which | was extended. What
! thoughts rushed through my brain /! above
me lay young and unsophisticatcd girl
wholly unconscious that the one she loved
lay SO closely to her, and who had for the