Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-05-12

ciety. His face was always grave and ge-
NAL. He met Geraldine in society often
They were always icy cold towards each
other She treated him with increased cool
ness, sort of angry contempt, which made
him avoid her as much as possible, and only
address her when compelled to do SO by the
commonest politeness. The beautiful, I'M
petuous girl looked upon him with perfect
indifference. This he could not bear; SO
be left off going iuto fashionable society,
buried himself in his chambers. And devo-
ted himself to his profession.
/ In handsome office, situated in Chancery
lane, sat two persons. One was man over
whose head some fifty years had passed -
but as yet, bis appearance indicated but few
OF the signs of approaching old age. He
was large, portly man, with a round, rud-
dy face, and an honest and frank expression
Of countenancc, which Instantly impressed
the beholder favorably. He possessed an
abundance of this worlds goods, and was
blest with the largest capacity for enjoying
the prosperity which Dame fortune had
sent him. The other was young man,
about thirty-one or thirty-two years of age,
whose physical characteristics were very diff
ferent from those of the fist mentioned per-
SON. His complexion was dark, his eyes
large, black and brilliant his hair was al
so dark and inclined to curl, and his cast of
countenancc was highly intellectual, thought
full and expressive. He was less robust
than his elder companion, but his frame
was compact, strong and well built, and his
carriage graceful and easy
The first mentioned, person was Mr. Bur-
ton, one of the most eminent solicitors in
London; and with the last named the reader
is already acquainted. It was none other
than Guy Meredith, the most rising harris.
ter of the day, a member of parliament, and
no doubt destined for higher honors. Mr..
Burton had taken Guy by the hand, and
lavished upon him all the tenderness of a
kind father, and had finally helped to adj
vance him to the position he now occupied
But let us hear what they are now say
ing
Guy" said Mr.. Burton as he leaned
back in his chair Il don't see why For
tune should have lavished her favors upon
you in such abundance You don't deserve
it."
''Why, my good old friend p asked Guy.
"What have you done p returned Mr..
Burton. You have established name
workedhard day and night for ten years .
realized fortune and for what You
have neither loving wife nor child to leave
it to. You are poor miserable bachelor,
hardly worth the space you occupy in this
beautiful world You are passably good
looking, and a favorite with the ladies' You
might have married dozen times, I sup
pose and why you don't choose wife out
of all the available matches that offer, is a.
mystery to me. Whatever other folly
"Stop, please, my kind friend" exclaim-
ed Guy, gravely ''That might yet secure
wife, [ think is highly probable, but l
could not love her. I would not marry a
woman unless I truly loved her, and love
with me is now entirely out Of the question.
No, no, Mr.. Burton, I shall never marry"
"Well, Guy, do as you think fit. I dare
say, after all. you know best"
II do in this case,'' replied our hero, as
he left the office
When Meredith reached his chambers in
the Temple, and was alone-alone with his
high hopes and brilliant auticipations alone
with his sad recollections Of the past-he
bowed his head upon the desk and some
thing like a tear stole in the young mans
eyes. He had strange feeling Of pain at
his heart What was it :? He knew, but
hardly acknowledged it. He had honor,
position, wealth, Memory brought up be-
fore him the vision Of Gerald Haseltine, as
he knew her ten years before lie had
never allowed himself to think of her long
1t way terrible + memory n :
Again we find Meredith in West End
society. He is now Sir Guy Meredith, So
licitor-general. Solicitor-general at thilty-
two What rise
There was splendid gathering at Bel
gravian Mansion. Miss Haseltine vas there,
all life, radiant with charms Although
she had now passed the summer Of youth,
being twenty nine years of age, she was so
we'll preserved that no one would have sup
posed her to be more than one and twenty
| and amidst all her lovers-for there were
many-she was still unmarried.
Sir Guy Meredith was announced. Every
eye was instantly turned upon the gentle.
man. He seemed to be created by nature
noble among men He entered with that
ease which is only produced by cultivation
and refinement distinguished air which
all admire SO much.
During the evening, as he was crossing
the room, his glance fell on Geraldine. =
Their eyes met. The color forsook her
glowing cheek and lips, her strength SEEM
ed to fail, and FIR moment hazy atmos-
phere seemed to envelop her. But she soon
regained her selfcontrol Extending her
hand, she murmurcd polite welcome in as
steady voice as she could command. He
turned white even to his lips as he took the
profered hand, bowed low, and said, in an
almost inaudible voice, "Geraldine-Miss
Haseltine, hope we meet as friends, do we
not 2"
Il hope so," she answered, and he could
detect slight tremor in her voice.
He fancied he had touched her pride, at
last
He learned from her, during the evening
that she was single still. As he banied her
to her carriage that night, be requested the
privilege Of calling and it was quietly
given. The next day, at as early an hour
as etiqutte permitted, he called at the resi-
dence of Geraldine.
He trembled slightly. as he followed the
footman up stairs When he entered the
room, Geraldine was weeping the first bitter
tears she had shed for years, over the ashes
of her youthful love. For she had found
out how much she had loved Guy Meredith;
but alas ! too late. Sir Guy approached,
| l.