The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-04-21
THE MYSTERIOUS MISS FITz-FLUKE.

'From New Orleans, eh !" said the colonel.
s'That is what the hotel books says re-
turned Mrs Adams, taking seat on the YER
anda, and throwing her light shawl back on
the chair
"And that her name is Miss Fitz Fluke."
Eyes"
"And who revealed the rest" inquired
the colonel
80, that she is an heircss? That's what
they say-the gossips, everybody in fact );
and nobody knows" replied the charming
widow, looking up at the colonel with love
in her luminous eyes"
care you interested in her financial affairs
colonel 2" she asked after pause.
"Why, she's very beautiful woman, and
with fortune would make a very desirable
wife, you know" he replied, smiling.
COP The widow raised her eyebrows, as
much as to say-"Well, It's nothing to me
who you marry" The colonel interpreted
the expression Alright, and fastened to reas-
sure her. Putting on the expression Of in
jured innocence, and striking theatrical at
titude, he murmured in a, low but distinct
voice, only intended for her ear, "Think' st
thou I'd be so AFFECT, base and poor to choose
for wealth and not for perfect love-"
"How do I know? Men are deccitful
ever, colonel" returned the widow, smiling
again, but only half assured that her quon-
dam lover was not slipping away from her.
"There are some exceptions, [ hope!'
II hoped SO but now-well time will tell.
in your case, at least. Let us 60 down to the
beach ;" and the widow arose, the colonel
took, her shawl and saraso!, and away they
went arm in arm, as loving as couple of
turtle doves-I should think Il never saw
but one turtle dove, and so l can't say "for
certain how two would act.)
I've given you the above conversation TER
Jatina. took it down in "short baud" at
the time, thinking that I might possibly
have use for it at some future period Of my
existence. That period has arrived, and I've
used the report Of that conversation accord
ingly. There was no particular necessity
for my using it, because it is only with that
part that refers to Miss Fitz Fluke that the
reader has anything to do. AS for the
widow and her handsome colonel, why,
they we're married at the end Of the season.
Just as I knew they would be, and the last
heard from him he was stationed at some fort
out West, whore if he is killed by the Indi-
ans this winter, will only make an opening
for scme other nice young man in the widows
affections next summer.
Perhaps it wasn't very honorable in me to
listen to the foregoing conversation, but if
people will talk under the windows of sea
side hotel, they must expect to beoverheard !;
and if l should undertake to run away every
time I heard people in my immediate vicini
ty "talking privacy" should be as bad off
as the Dutchman's steam-leg-I should never
stop.
At the time l am speaking of, I had been
at Santum Beach something over a week,
and was intending to wear out the season
there. | had motive in coming to Santum
and 1 intend to let you know what that mo-
tive was But must go back in my life's
history few years.
My father, have been told, was a marrying
man, and mother used to say that 'took
after him." not in marrying, Of course, for !
was too young (1'm ouly twenty six now;
but my chronological organs were SO much
Ike his, that the distinguished professor who