Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-04-29

said. My name is Paul Ventnor. This
is the lodge at Foley Hall. If you enter
it with me l will get you a temporary
home at least. Come 7
She rose to her feet then, clevating her
head she fixed her eyes full upon him. -
They were such great, trusting brown
eyes, that they set his nerves tingling.
AS they held his own, they deepened in
intensity, and more and more of the chill
dish sweetness came into her face. The
curate felt that he could trust her, he also
felt somewhat embarrassed, which made
him feel vexed himself,
You have not told me your name, he
said.
Nor have t. she replied, the color in
her checks deepening. Then, with the
least perceptible hesitancy, she added:
My name is Grace Templeton.'
Paul Ventnor thought it was very
pretty name, but did not say SO. He
seized the knocker at the door and gave
vigorous peal. A servant answered it,
and the two soon stood in the presence of
the Lady of Foley Hall. She esteemed
the young curate highly, and placed a
proper appreciation upon his character and
talents A word from him in Grace's be-
half would have been sufficient, even had
she not possessed any personal and mental
charms of her own.
The result of the interview was that she
was at once accepted at Foley Hail not
as mental, but as companion to my
Lady, who was widow and an invalid.
Grace was refined, afa bic and scholarly :;
and her natural vivacity soon returning to
her, no one could have been moro COM
panionable to one who was disposed to be
tacturn and gloomy.
Six months passed away, and during
that time Paul Ventnor visited Foley Hall
more frequently than there was absolute
occasion for, and he was not long uncon-
scious Of the motives that took him thith-
er. Day by day Grace grew more lovely
to his eyes and more dear to his heart
She attended his ministry with rare con-
stancy, and his sermons seemed dull and
soundlefs to himself when she was not in
her pew with her great brown eyes fixed
upon lis face. He was desperately in
love with her, but made no declaration.
The living at Bladesburg was only worth
five hundred pounds per annum, and he
could not think of marrying upon that.
At the end of the six months servant
in livery appeared at Foley Hall.
L have a letter for Lady Templeton,'
he said
For whom 2 asked my lady, with
stare.
For the earl's daughter-for my lady
of Templeton Place.
The madam took the letter, with its
great red seal, in dazed sort of way,
then rang the bell for Grace
a letter for you,' she said.
Grace's face grew red and white by
turns as her eyes fell upon the direction
upon the letter She glanced at the SER
wants, who bowed with seryile reverence
This is from my father, the EARL she
said. Does he know that | am here, Mr..
Williams ?
He does not, my lady. Your brother
Edgar has kept your secret we'll
'TEMpLEToN PLACE, 20, 1849.
Ny Dear Grace-I have relented =
You were right in your estimate Of Clai-
borne. He was a mere adyenturer, and
is now in Jail on half dozen counts. [
was never so infatuated before You
shall marry whomsoever it may please
you to marry. / beg your forgiveness,
and pray of you to return. Edgar con-
sented to forward this IS am ignorant of
your whereabouts.
You doting. irascible father.
MARCUS TEMpEEToN
p. s.-Claxton, the rector is dead
A bright light ruffused the face of
Grace She tore the blank leaf from the
letter, and taking out her pencil, wrote as
follows:
MY Dear Father-I hold no bitter
ness. The death of Rev. Mr.. Claxton
leaves the rectorate of Shedstone vacant
I I will return on condition that you will
give the living at Shedstono to whoever |
may name.
Your daughter,
GRACE
Folding up the note she handed it to
the servant and said:
Mr.. Williams, give that to your mas
ter, will expect you back with an an
swer by tomorrow noon.'
The man bowed, retired, and reap
peared the next day with the following
reply.
Agreed. Please name the rector. Be
back by tomorrow. NJ. t.
Grace found it necessary to make my
Lady of Foley Hall her eonfdante. Her
story was a simnle one and NAV have