The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-04-29

CodCi~@au opportunity lol Hio W 'eeei Oiodi
of the stigma Of fortune hunting, and strike
up pleasant little understanding with Ida
Mountjoy, quito in advance of MIR. Grant
Morrall's little plans ,.,.
Mcditating profoundly on all these things,
[ paced up and down the piazza floor with
folded arms whispering softly to myself until
such time as the numbering stage ratified up
to the door, and then csconced myself snugly
in the best corner to await the Development
of events.
s'All aboard for KnelFord and Pine Hollow
bawled the driver, and the next moment out
came the passcngers-two or three old ladies
a red faced farmer and his redder- faced son !,
three half grown school girls, and. last of all,
short, stout young lady, in an alpaca dress,
a water proof cloak, and black straw hat,
trimmed with a bunch of faded red velvet
berries. Truly, Miss Mountjoy had not the
best taste in dress, but these heireses often
affected this plain style, and gold covers q
number of backslidings, as we all know.
Twas sorry, however, to see how very home
ly she was, with sandy hair, complexion
strewn with reddish brown frecklcs, a flat
nose, and eyes too wide apart to possess any ez-
IRENE surprise. Leonie had not told me OF
her personal deficiencies, and naturally | low
ed to look at pretty woman, just as l wor-
ship the Venus d. MILO, and enjoy an exquis-
lite country landscape. But then I remem-
bered her bankstock and coupons, and my I'M
settled liabilities and resolved to push on at
all hazards. % ie3 -"
As the young lady advanced to the open
door of the stage, and looked round pcrplex-
edly for seat, began the campaign by po-
itely rising.
':Please accept this place Miss I assure
you I shall have pleasure in giving it up
So took the narrow place by the door,
where the red faced farmers boot heels aggra-
waited my corns, and where tumbled half
way out of the stage every time the vehicle
deviatcd a hairs breadth from the exact line
of its equilibrium. ,& M 5l
':I'm afraid you are very uncomfortable sir
said the young lady, s a,
ooh not at all !" gasped, hanging like Ma
hornets coffin between heaven and earth.
Surely such disinterested courtesy as this
must melt the reserve Of the haughticst heir
ess in Christendom. [ had heard Of hearts
taken by storm incognito | would capture
Ida Mountjoy after this romantic fashion.
Sol amused her with gay lively chat. l
ran for glasses of water everything the coach
stopped | rolled my superb ovcrcoat into
an impromptu. footstool to rest her feet upon,
for Ida was short, and the coach seats high J;
and rode on, regardless ofthe cold in the head
that felt was fast contracting, for Ida be-
gan to smile slyly, when glanced ia her d.
rcction, and | was already in imagination,
counting the roulcaus of gold which were to
reward my exceeding self sacrifice
"Pray," said the young lady, after we had
got to be very good friends, and had once or
twice squeezed her hand under my travelling
rug, s'do you know anything ofthe people at
Knelford Hall !"
ga little. Why? Are you going there !?
eyes," she replied.
"What curious coincidence ~ [ cried.
ga which 2" the heiress demanded with a
puzzled expression of countcnancc.
Il mean, / am quite we'll acquainted with
the Wharton's, and why-halloa here we
arc now ~ f....... .t..f -
For the coach had rolled UP to the steps
! of Knelford Hall, handsome square struct-
ure fgrcy stone, from whose windows the
lights were beginning to glow checrfully in
the fast darkening twilight. s
"Twcnty five cents fare p' hoarsely cried
the brutal driver, intercepting Ida as she was
about to step down She blushed celestial
rosy red" Aa slqCs e-.a saaia
ell haven't the change just now, but
"No trust, Miss obduratcly persisted the
Jehu.
"Monstrous " I cried. "Stop this un-
called-for violence, driver Here's your
money" dl IL gs 4fiTs..ai
s.I'm sure I'm very much obliged, sir, y
said the heiress, with little bob Of cour-
tesy.
''Not in the least" [ said, with Chcva-
ilier Bayard bow. ssWhat / have done for
you would do for the merest servant. girl
who CHANGED to travel alone and unprotected
In my eyes woman becomes sacred because
she IS a woman, and" s-
''That's my trunk, please" said Ida, who
was paying no Especial attention to my rhctori-
cal display, at the same time Indicating g
very little hair trunk, studded with brass
nails What a lesson, thought |, to the hus
band hunting bellies of the present day with
their dozens of Saratoga trunks, and thcil
idiotic display of baggage.
! Almost in the same instant there was
rush Of the hospitable Knelford party, host
hostess, guests and all, out to welcome us
and | was borne in, momcntarily losing
sight of my Dulcinea as Ientcred 4C
"Here's yonr room, Eaorto.,,. all raady, y
cried Leonie, ''but We didn't expect you unit
to morrow"
She moved forward the cushioned arm
chair, as she spoke, in front of the merry
wood fire that glanced and Aickerca on thu
marble hearth, making the room look So in
dcscribably cosy, with its warm colored hang
ings and warm crimson carpet;
s.Comc, make haste with your dressing,
she went on, busiiy "Dou't be all the even
ing!" ea.i4l5- s-~ NJ
! ''I'll be ready presently I said; III
cold in my head was beginning to make lcsel
visible shocked two or three times. =,
| ''Dcar, dear,' cried Lconic, ''what coli
you've gotl' 1850 isf l2 a1' .-
Its nothing" said, and sncesod ugair
"Wcl, be as quick as you can. | want t
introduce you to Miss Mountjoy"
I flag you. Ib already acquainted wit
Bliss Bountjoy !" .'-
"Alreaay! Q, you sly wretch, where hay
you Seen herr" L.i4la -as 4elie
"Travclled with her !! got this cold il
! by head, taking off my ovcrcoat, tor her
rest her feet unon ~