Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-10-14

= while Ida began to feel real relief IN bcln
, rid of his unceasiog sarcasm and taunts :
She was now at liberty to please hersel
without having her best actions ridiculed
, and in many little evening excursion wher
| Charley was one of the party, did she hav
, an opportunity to repay him for his delicac
and kindness to her. But never once di'
he presume on her attention or kindness; b.
never overstepped that delicate reserve o
manner which he had shown toward her OF
her first meeting with him and probably
would not, if she could have known him
century, under the then existing circum
stances
The time was fast approaching for Ida to
leave the country for her city home, and for
some unaocountable reason Charley avoided
her and when the day of departure came,
she was forced to leave without saying good
bye to him. However, she left--a kind mes
sage for him, with strict injunctions to Mrs.
Stowel to deliver it, which she obeyed.
Five years had elapsed since Ida babe
farewell to P-and Mrs. Stowel, and
during that time she had neither heard from
J the place Or family where she had spent
that pleasant summer. But her thoughts
often reverted to certain evening drive,
and pair of splendid eyes looking at her
from under an old hat And often, in the
midst of gay and brilliant company, this
vision would unbidden come before her
minds eye.
Major Rollins had made an ample apole-
gy for his i'll conduct on that unfortunate
afternoon, and she had forgiven him. Ho
took the first opportunity after their recon
ciliation, to offer himself to her but was
very kindly, though decidedly refused He
did not marry anybody else, but continued
gay and fashionable bachelor hoping, so
people said, that Ida would relent and ac-
cept him after all
Matters stoed thus when Ida was invited
to attend grand ball at the residence of a
friend. Several days previous to the event,
her friend Mattie-who was married though
just as girlish and lively as ever-dropped
in to consult with her upon some matters of
dress for the evening in question.
"You know, Ada" she said, Il have
particular desire for you to look your best
and if you will only go according to my
directions, I know you will ca1tivate him"
"Captivate who 2" asked Ida, looking at
Matte in establishment
"Who Why, haven't you heard p
Why, that something or other-at
MIR. Natives the party is to be given for
him, believe. He returned foom Europe
not long ago, and has just been appointed
to some very important office under the
government. saw him this morning
coming out of the Lewises just as [ was
going in; they went intoraptures over him.
He is the best thing in the way Of gentlemen
that we have had this season, I believe -
and although he is sought after SO much
and coveted, he is very quiet, they say,
and rather reserved, and not a bit of firt,
though all the ladies seem to 60 over to him
at once. He is dark, you see, and just
your style"
Ida sat and listened carelessly, while her
lively friend ratified on in this manner
She was SO accustomed to descriptions of
this kind from her, that she paid very little
attention to what she was saying but at
the latter part of the speech, "He is dark,
and just your STYLE" the vision of the eyes
under the old hat came to her, but to be
put away impationtly, for its too frequent
intrusion.
After many directions to her concerning
her dress, Matte babe her good-by until
they should meet on the night of the recep-
ton.
AT length that night came, and the ele-
CANT residence of Mr. Natives was filled
with the beauty and fashion of the city. When
Ida arrived most of the guests we're assem-
bled, and she entered into the gayeties of
the evening with the indifference which she
usually felt on such occasions. She was
joined Immediately on her entrance by Mat
tie, who looked at her with approving eyes,
and whispered, as they walked along
'sYou look beautiful -
In a little while Ida was chatting merrly
with group Of friends, when she was inter
rupted by Matte, who exclaimed suddenly
in her ear, "There be is" Ida was startled
by the sudden exclamation, and turned
She saw Mr.. Natives standing not far
from her, with gentleman by his side =
they were both looking at her, as if they
we're going to approach. Ida was not US
ually impulsive, but after keen look at the
dark, handsome face Of the gentleman, she
forgot everything else; and stepping quickly
forward, she caught both of his hands ex-
claiming:
"Mr. Russell"
Miss Dudley" he exclaimed, his eyes
fairly flashed with joy and then turning to
the astoaished Mr.. Natives, he said, Miss
Dudley and have met before"
"Why didn't you tell me ~ asked Mr..
Natives
Because" said Mr. Rassel, ri did not
know whether she would remember me-"
Of course her group of friends looked on
in mute wonder at the meeting, and failed
to get satisfactory explanation of the ac-
quaintance for Matte, who had remem-
bered all in an instant, kept quiet
Charley monopolized Ida during the rest
Of the evening, and of course an explana-
ton ensued and Ida heard from him the
story of his love for her, and how that love
had stimulated him and spurred him on to
make himself worthy of her if she remained
free and if she was not free, to at least
move in the same circle with her-to see
her sometimes, and let her know that she
was the means of making him something
besides the green, ambitionless countryman
that she had known
He told her how his love for her and his
desire to win her had given birth to Vi
sion and how, in his hardest struggles
with adversely, he seemed to hope, away in
the distance, holding her by the hand, as
the prize to be won, and reckoning him on
"And now, Ida.' he said, taking her
hands in his, and bending his dark eyes
beseechingly on her face, s'now 1 have
reached the prize, and hold it here this
minute, am | to loose it, or keep it?
keep it," she said frankly, looking up
at him with loving eyes and he kept it.