Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-07-02

Sllppcu OUT, taking Will iler tue llttlo SUCK
of savings which she had been for many
years boarding up, and which she looked
upon as her only treasure. Very demurely
she passed through the village, but as soon
as she had left it behind her, she ran at her
greatest speed so fearful was she that she
might not arrive at the lake before sunset.
Forgetful of the roughness of the road she
scrambled up the mountain, slipped, fell
jumped up, reached the top breathles, then
half run, half rolled down the other side,
and at length arrived painting at the border
of the lake.
The sun was rapidly sinking down in the
West, and the black lake might have been
called the golden one, so bright did the re-
Election of the sun render it. Lula knew
that it was good omen if the water took a
golden hue. and her courage rose at the
sight.
As she looked, she saw that the large,
black swan, the warden Of the lake, had seen
her, and was coming toward her. She
scarcely dared to breathe, so anxious was
she to know whether it would come in anger
or in gentleness to do her bidding. But on
it came, gliding smoothly through the water,
straight to where she stood Flowers of all
sorts grew in abundance in the sheltered
valley, and without moments delay she
stopped and plucked bunch of the musk
rose She started The swan had risen,
and was tapping its wings, while sound
very much like human laughter seemed to
be proceeding from its outstretched throat.
Then on it came again, and when the bird
had reached the waters edge, Lula tremb-
ling held out toward it the bunch of roses
Away it glided with them in its MOUTH
but when it reached the middle of the lake,
it dived its head, and disappeared under the
water Hitherto there had been that pecu-
liar stiffness in the air which hetokens the
approach of evening, as if all life dared not,
even by breath, disturb the last moments
of expiring day. But suddenly the earth
seemed moved, as if by a sudden CONFUSION.
The birds few hither and thither, the cattle
sought shelter under the trees. and strange
wailing sounds were borne upon the air
The rushing wind stirred up the water
which Kissed, and foamed. and rose as one
great surging wave. Then the wave burst
in the centre, and the divided waters rolled
over and over to the right and left of the
lake, until they reached the base Of the
mountains on each side, up which they
seemed to be drawn by some magnetic pow
er, but the angry water came rushing down
again, and the more it was drawn up the
more angry was its roar.
Lula was stunned by the noise, and blind
ed by the spray, caused by this momentary
hurricane, SO that, for a moment, she saw
nothing. By degrees however, a feeling of
indescribable fear stole over her, for she be-
came aware that something was before her.
At frstit appeared as a shadow between her
and the sky; then it took the form Of very
aged, sorrowfnl looking woman. Close
against her was the black swan, and the
foaming cataract on each side seemed to be
keeping guard over the two inhabitants Of the
lake. In her hand was the bunch of roses,
and pointing them toward Lula, she began
in plying voice:
''My little damsel, I see that you have
asked for beauty" and the sigh she gave as
she spoke seemed echoed all round. lula
grant your request, what do you give in
return p
The woman's tone had treasured Lula,
and she at once came forward, and timidly
presented her small stocking of savings
But with terror Lula now heard the strange
spirits hooking laughter.
eve have no use here for this; it is one OF
the treasures Of your heart which desire. :"
Lula wondered what she meant; how
ever, she merely timidly said the spirit
might take anything she chose.
II shall take the gift with which nature
has most endowed you, the value of which
you have begun to lose sight of. When the
clock is tonight on the stroke of twelve,
utter the name of the person whom you
wish to be like, and the exchange will be
made.
Lula was about to express her gratitude
but she was stopped by the look Of sorrow on
the spirits face, who seemed to be listening
to the wall of lament which now rose on all
sides
"Thank me not yet, Lula. Do you hear
those sounds? They are the groan of the
banished virtues, which others, like yourself
have been so ready to cast out of their hearts
They are entreating me to pause before |
grant your wish. You please me, Lula, and
I will listen to their prayer, and show you
mercy by giving you time to undo foolish
act. Therefore, when your face changes,
the metamorphosis will only be visible to
yourself for the first twenty -four hours If,
before the expiration of that time, you regret
the exchange, 90 and drink of the water of
the spring which used to rise at the top Of
the mountain 1t has long been dry, but it
will flow at your bidding; ana when you
have drunk of it, you will be your old self"
Lula was about to say that she had no fear
for her happiness now that she had obtained
her wish but with her last words the wo-
man had disappeared and the waters of the
black lake were flowing as smoothly as ever,
over which the swan resumed its guard.
Briskly Lula started on her journey home
ward. Never had she been so happy. Her
voice echoed merrily through the mountain
passes. Her feet seemed scarcely to touch
the ground as she bounded along, SO blithe,
so joyful did efeel AS she came in site
of the cottage she became a little uneasy for
fear her absence might be discovered, but
to her relief she found that her parents had
gone to bed, and she crept quietly to her
room carrying the old time .piece with her
out of the kitchen. 1t was still early, and
for some time Lnla's mind was taken up in
deciding the important matter Of which one of
her friends she would choose to be like
1t was most difficult point to settle Which
would she rather be /; fair Or dark? She ad-
mired Erica's black hair and blue eyes; but
perhaps Sulita's golden hair and brown eyes
were even prettier. Then there was little
Fredda, with her short upper lip and pearly
teeth--how charming she was with. her
bright sparkling expression yet she was
not sure that Juanita, with her saint like