Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-11-18

seeing that she had sought his side.
Ellen adroitly led the conversation un-
til it touched upon Clara Edgerton.
.By the way, Mr.. Parker. I had al
ways thought that you and Miss Edgerton
were good friends p
Il trust we are friends still" returned
the gentleman, in low. hopeful tone.
Il bad thought So" resumed the plot
ter, until she avoided you to-day, in the
garden. And should not have thought
SO much Of that if she had not, when we
were alone, spoken But I had better
keep my own counsel"
Wallace Parker was human, and he
wished to know what Clara Edgerton had
said of him. At length, with much ap-
parent reluctance, Ellen told him.
"She said you had no heart" =
What! Did Clara Edgerton say that?'
Yes. And she said you would have
to stick to your profession long time
before you could regain the position you
had lost in society,"
%? I had not thought that of her |!
But what else could expect Bah they
are cold and heartless set
You do not mean that Miss Edgerton
is cold and heartless?'
She is under the influence. She must
be, or she would not have spoken those
words f
| We'll, WE'LL said Ellen, with a light
laugh, she is very soon to be under a
new influence She goes from here to
be married to Mr. Hapgood 2
TO Giles Hapgood ? s.
'Yes-the banker
But he is old enough to be her fatherp
And worth million ? added Ellen
significantly A new triumph was in
the sparkle of her eye when she saw
Wallace Parker's lip curl with derison,
and saw scorn and contempt in his every
feature.
During the forenoon of the following
day Ellen Lamprey observed Clara
Edgerton and Giles Hapgood. out in one
of the foot paths, walking very costly.
arm-in arm, and apparently engaged in
| very earnest conversation. She hunted
up Wallace Parker, and brought him oui
into the balcony that he might see it.
He did see it. and his look plainly showed
that he was unhappy and Ellen Lamp
rey fancled that he looked to her for
sympathy-that his heart was warming
toward her as it shrank away from love of
Clara. She determined to lose no time
| During the afternoon of that same day
Ellen drew Clara out into the garden. and
after light run of byplay she carefully
introduced the subject of Wallace Parker
He will not remain here much longer
she said and for one l am glad of it.
can endure almost anything better than
treachery'' Paid.
'Treachery - and on the part of
Wallace Parker 2
Yes
What do you mean, Ellen p
Since it has come to this, Clara, [ will
speak plainly. l accepted Mr.. Parker's
profered arm upon the verandah last
evening. We spoke of you. had
supposed that you were on the most friend
ly terms but, judge of my surprise,
when he announced to me, in direct and
unqualified terms, that you were cold
and heartless ?
Did Wallace Parker say that ?'-The
voice was startled and quivering.
Yes, and expostulated. But he
persisted He said you were throwing
yourself away under the very worst of in
! fuences.'
@. Ellen, I cannot believe that Mr..
Parker spoke soberly'
A brilliant idea struck the plotter. She
would make bold move.
My dear Clara, she said, in order
that you may know exactly how he can
speak of you, suppose you hear him for
yourself? If you will take your seat in
this arbor this evening, I will lead Wal
lace Parker this way. and he shall speak
Of you as he pleases in your hearing
At first Clara Edgerton refused to lis
ten to the proposition but after time
she surrendered. She did really wish to
know if Wallace Parker Iisliked her. The
blow would be cruel one; but she had
better know the truth, even at the worst
So she finally said that she would be in
the arDOr at nine CLOCK.
Ellen Lamprey had no doubt of her
success. She had SO far won upon Par
ker, that he was ready at any time to
wait upon her at her bidding, and she
felt sure she could draw from him
bitter words against Clara. But one of
her most potent weapons was to be wrench
ed from her without her knowledge.
That evening as Wallace Parker saun-
tered out upon the driveway after tea. he
met Giles Hapgood, and the banker was
muttering and cursing to himself.
Eth Hapgood What on Garth is the
matter ? Stocks DOWN.
Down fat 7 returned Hapgood, rally
ing.
Have you lost heavily ?
L have lost heavily, and for all time
i am sorry
Presently the banker looked up with a
grim smile.
1t isn't money. Parker. O, no,-not
quite so bad as that | fancied, this after
noon. that had lost my heart but l
guess shall find it again. You can
keep secret?
The secret Of friend is with me a
sacred trust,
Then. my boy, I'll tell you frankly, -
Clara Edgertoa has refused my hand'
i Refused you ? #
Aye. and that isn't the worst Of it
When I asked her why she had allowed
me to bask in the sunlight of her smiles,
she fell to weeping, and begged Of me to
forgive her. She said she had sought ii
| - III hrnJs &c a f.thort Ev,J th.ak