Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-04-07
SELECTED STORY.
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TWILL WALK WITH YOU.

IN the long, low drawlng-room, awaiting the
coming of her guests Ordinarily she might
se triAe paIe-quiet, possibly though
with depths quickly stirred by the dropping
of careless stone. Tonight she was flush
ed, tremuleus, excited.
"By the way" said her father, pausing
at the door as be pa..ed through the hall, |
met that young minister-Hayes, you know
this morning, and asked him up to dine. .
But I don't know" responded Vesey,
as he passed on, her eyes growing wider
and wider in dismay II don't know him
at all. And tonight of all nights she
sobbed, pulling at the flowers in the porce-
lain vase before her, until the one red rose
dropped all its petals at her feet
Il was to be the last Of the pleasant eve
nings that had frightened Ill the winter
Darrell Winslow and his mother were COM
ing to dine with them once more before 60
ing home. They had been boarding at the
hotel just above, two or three months We
sey had built SO many hopes upon this eve
ming. But now
She was fastening bunch of daphne
-sweet-scented, velvet leafed-into her
D6lUy WuCu hut SuLtIcU bue IOUnl L dSe-
ing fair p he said to himself, at glimpse
of the bent head y
1.-THE Rev Paul Hayes p announced tho
servant. She turned quickly not catching
the name, hearing only the sound q feet
and the opening of the doer. But the flush
upon her face was not for him.
IL am Miss Welles," with rather un-
necessary frankness. My father will be
down in moment. He was unusually late
from town tonight"
sBut naughty and cold" Paul added
mentally, as he turned away to meet her
father.
Then, at last, Mrs. Winslow and Darrell
came.
"Who is this man 2" looked out of OAR
rers eyes
"And you really 60 home tomorrow p
Vesey said, sitting down beside Mrs Win
slow.
Eyes. There is nothing to wait for now
and Darrell does not care to stay. The OPP
era season is over, you know"
So it was for the gayeties Of the town he
had fingered week after week, she thought,
with sudden sinking of the heart Oh,
how blind she had been His careless laugh
came across he room just then, as if to
mock her.
"You'll not come back before another
season 2" She could not hide the pain that
quivered in her voice.
"No," she replied, simply, II suppose
not"
The gentlemen joined them.
Vesey was thinking how pleasant she had
hoped it would be, with only Darrell and bis
mother here-they four around the fire ir
the twilight, Darrell by her of the words
she had thought he would speak. There
was ring hanging upon his watch-chain
It fitted her finger He had tried it once
in jest I
She turned away from him to Paul. Ant
yet what should she say? What do people
say to ministers she asked herself helpless
Ily. And to young ministers above all OF
if he had not come If he would only 60
| If they would all 20, and leave her alon
with her disappointment.
How she passed that long dinner hou
she never knew She talked Of trivia
, things, as we all do, though beneath tn
outward calm our very souls are seething
When they were back in the drawing-room
and the others fell into the quiet. desultor
!, chat that follows dinner, she alone coul
not be STILL Her cold hands refused to Ii
quietly in her lap. as sharely white hand
!. should. Her feet beat an impatient walt
t under her gown. She glanced at Darrell =
! lie bad thrown himself back in an cas-
chair, his hands under his head. Ther
was no feverish glitter in his eye. Fl
yawned furtively. She pushed her cha
back. "How stupid We are It's the fr'
I think. 1t always dulls everybody but i
self Will not some one sing or play p
And she sat down herself before the piano
Sc struck a quick, sharp chord 6
could dance tonight" She had forgotte
the young minister and his probable pref
dices. He caught glimpse, just then,
the flushed, intense face But in an insta
with the minor chord that followed.
changed. Tears rushed into her eyes FL
back was to the others. Only Paul sa
n the suddening saddening Of the face, the fs
of the wet eye-lids.
"Such wonderful spirits I" exclaim'
IS Mrs Winslow. $50 light hearted Yes
N always is"
n sAhw responded Paul. But he f
into revery.
Darrell leaned oyer her, "What b
come to you"
elbow? Why ?" She did not pause in b