Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-10-01
SELECTED STORY.
-
WORTH HER WEIGHT In GOLD

WORTH HER WEIGHT In GOLD.
..Thank fate! 1 shall never be the prey
of fortune hunter"
| As Sally Beauclerc uttered the words she
threw herself back upon the sofa. and tossed
her handsome head with light laugh.
"Your fortune is your face" rejoined her
companion, as he gazed admiringly on her
fine feature Sally opened her eyes in as
constituent.
IA compliment from you, To@ !" she ex-
claimed.
The gentleman colored. II know I am
not much given to pretty speeches, but you
know, Sally, that l admire you all the same. "
To tell the truth. Tom Middleton had for
long time loved Miss Beauclere, with all
the strength of an earnest and constant ma
ture but he was very difident; he had
shrank from making known his attachment,
fearing Sally's ridicule, though had he been
more confident of himself he might have
read long agota secret that Sally's eyes took
little painsato conceal. But Tom never
imagined how desirable fellow he was in
himself, and knowing he had no great for
tune to bestow, he did not venture to offer
his hand to the daughter Of Senator Beau
clere, and the reigning belle Of the city,
Sally was one Of large family, it is true,
and portionless, but her fathers position and
her own beauty made Tom imagine her to be
! far removed from him. Now, he only look
ed hurt when she thus playfully sneered at
his small compliment, and, turning away to
the window, did not catch the tender look
that stole over Sally's handsome features.
"Well, how is the weather 2" she asked,
after moment, as he still stood gazing out
into the night.
1T is a beautiful moonlight, and I think
had better 60"
go! Oh, Tom! Why, this is the last
time shall see you for ever SO long
'.And will you care p he asked, as he
came again to her side.
Sally blushed. "Of course I shall care,
Tom"
| ''No. Sally, tomorrow you are going to
Washington. You will be belle there. as
you are everywhere, and you will soon for
get me-"
"No, indeed, TOMB she replied, earnest
| ly. "Among all those strange faces, and
people don't care anything about. I shall
long to see my old friends"
'.But not me You won't care much
whether I am among the number or not
s'Yes, SHALL"
Tom was fool where woman were con-
cerned, or he would have known what those
| -, @ho%c ofk A % ~ yvaa
a wild hope did spring up in his heart, but
when he looked again at that beautiful wo-
man it died away. Il am not brilliant
enough for her" he thought; but he pluck
ed up sufficient courage to put out his hand
and take one Of hers.
'tYou are very kind, Sally" he said, II
shall come on to Washington by and by, and
then shall know how sincere your words
are"
Sally's cheek burnt but at that moment
the door opened Tom dropped her hand,
as one of the numerous young sisters came
in, and the golden opportunity passed away,
for they were not together again that even
ing.
On that very same night, nearly thou
sand miles away, two young gentlemen were
speaking of this same young lady. They
were travellers, who had accidentally met on
board steamer on Lake Erie. They were
total strangers, and were ignorant even Of
each others name, but had fallen into chat
as they strolled on deck under the rays Of
the full moon.
II never was SO far from land before in
my life," said the elder of the two, a fine
looking man of perhaps thirty-fve.'
Indeed /" exclaimed his companion, a
handsome, city-bred looking gentleman
"May I ask where you are from, that your
sea experience has been so limited I"
From the interior of North Caralina."
'.Ahp' cried the stranger, and his, cold
features litup into sudden interest. ''Then,
perhaps, you know the Beaucleres ?" p
Every well, indeed; they are old friends
Of mine +"
"And Miss Beauclere; you know her Z?
Certainly"
| Il hear she is very handsome"
Eyes do you know her ?"
"No, I have merely heard of her but ]
expect to meet her in Washington this win
ter. She is the Oldest daughter, is she not?'
Eyes"
| "And is Senator BeaucIere man Of
wealth p
eyes; that is he has very fine estate. y
"Miss Sally is the daughter Of the first
marriage, is she not p
eyes, and noble girl, Why, she is
worth half million in herself alone, exclaim.
ed the North Carolinian, enthusiastically.
/ His companion started little at the word
but changed the conversation to other sub
jects, and before long the two gentlemen
parted for the night, still in ignorance Of
each others names. They did not meet
again. but in the morning exchanged mere
lily distant bow as they left the boat in op-
posite directions.
The weeks passed on, and Sally BeaqcleEe
was established with her parents at Will
ards Hotel in Washington. AS Middleton
had predicted. her beauty and talents DIRE"
around her circle of admirers, and before
long she was established as one Of the reign
ing bellies Of Washington
The admiration and adplatiop which she