Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-05-13
All aboard for Knelford and Pine Ho

three old ladies 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, water proof
cloak, and black straw hat, trimmed
with bunch Of faded red velvet berries.
Truly, Miss Mounjoy had not the best
taste in dress, but these heireses often af-
fected this plain style, and gold covers a
number Of backslidings, as we all know.
was sorry, however, to see how very
homely she was, with sandy hair, COM
plexion strewn with reddish brown freck-
les, fat nose, and eyes too wide apart to
possess any extreme ssrprise. Leonie had
not told me of her personal deficiencies,
and naturally I loved to look at pretty
woman, just as l worship the Venus d.
Milo, and enjoy an exquisite country
landscape. But then [ remembered her
bankstock and coupons. and my unsettled
liabilities, and resolved to push on at all
hazards.
AS the young lady advanced to the open
door of the stage, and looked round per-
plexedly for seat, began the campaign
by politely rising.
Please accept this place Miss. I as
sure you shall have pleasure in giving i,
up.
So I took the narrow place by the door,
where tie red faced farmers boot heels
aggravated my corns, and where l tunl-
bled half way out of the stage every time
the vehicle deviated hairs breadth from
the exact line of its equilibrium.
I'm afraid you are very uncomfortable
sir said the young lady.
oh not at all I gasped, hanging like
Mahomet's coffin between heaven and
earth
Surely such disinterested courtesy as
this must melt the reserve Of tho haughti-
est heiress in Christendom. l had heard
of hearts taken by storm tacognito; I
would capture Ida Mountjoy after this ro-
mantle fashion.
So I amused her with gay lively chat.
ran for glasses of water everytime the
coach stopped. rolled my superb over
coat into an impromptu footstool to rest
her feet upon for Ida was short, and the
coach seats high and rode on, regardless
of the cold in the head that [ felt was
fast contracting, for Ida began to smile
slyly, when glanced in her direction, and
I was already in Imagination, counting the
rouleaus of gold witch 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, do you know anything
of the people at Knelford Hail.!
"A little. Why? Are you going there
I YES she replied.
What curious coincidence !. [ cried
"A which ? the heiress demanded with
puzzled expression Of countenace.
L mean, am quite well acquainted
with the Wharton's, and-why-halloa
here we are nowl'
For the coach had rolled up to the steps
of Knelford Hall, a handsome square
structure of grey stone, from whose win
dows the lights were beginning to glow
cheerfully in the fast darkening twilight.
Twenty five cents fare" hoarsely cried
the brutal driver, interceptiug Ida as she
was about to step down. She blushed
celestial rosy red
II haven't the change just now,
but
No trust, Miss obdurately persisted
the Jehu.
INDUSTRIOUS ? I cried Stop this un-
called-for violence, driver! Here's your
money
I'm sure I'm very much obliged. sir,
said the heiress, with a little bob Of a
courtesy.
Not in the least | said, with Chew
alier Bayard bow. what l have done
for you I would do for the merest servant
girl who Glanced to travel alone and un-
protected. In my eyes woman becomes
sacred because she is a woman, and
That's my trunk, please, said Ida. who
was paying no special attention to my rhet-
orical display, at the same time indicating
very little hair trunk, studded with brass
nails What a lesson, thought I, to the
husband-h hunting bellies Of the present
day with their dozens Of Saratoga trunks,
and their idiotic display Of baggage.
Almost il the same instant there was a
rush of the hospitable Knelford party,
host, hostess, guests and all, out to wei
come us, and I was borne in momentarily
losing sight of my Dulcinea as I entered.
Here's courtroom. Egerton, all ready,
cried Leonie, but we didn't expect you
until Tomorrow
She moved forward the cushioned arm
chair, as she spoke, in front of the merry
wood fire that glanced and fickered on the
marble hearth, making the room look SO
indescribably cozy, with its warm colored
hanginps and warm crimson carpet.