Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-06-03
VIRGINIA FREE PRESS.
! Cannot Afford It.

oil the proprletoTs.
lie had stepped out for a moment, one of
the clerks Informed him.
And Withdrawing to an obscure corner, he
stood watching. with half-amused half-comi-
cal look upon his handsome face, the streams
of gaily-attired women that floated past him,
gazing with envious and admiring eyes upon
the rich fabrics of every hHe and texture, that
were suspended from the ceilings and spread
out upon the broad counters.
Many of them were known to him, but he
wns in no muod to meet the sparkling glances
and gay salies that lie knew would be show
cred upon him if he made them aware of his
presence: for Mr.. st. John was rich and
bachelor. lie had been so flattered and be-
sieged by ambitious mammas with marriagea-
bic daughters as to make him almost resolve
to always remain one.
So he stood back IN the shadow, marking
with curious eyes unconscious betrayals Of the
natural dispositions, like glimpses of feminine
human nature, and which the dear creatures
would not have had him observe for the
world.
As he stood there, the two Misses Parker
came in, charming and brilliant girls, in whose
society he had passed many pleasant hour.
They were lavish in their purchases. And
az Mr.. st. John contrasted their smiling coun-
tenances with the careworn face Of their father
whom he met in the street scarcely an hour be-
fore, huurrying from one friend to another to
borrow money to pay note on the point Of
being protested, their lively chatter Jared
harshly on his ears.
Isn't it lovely exclaimed one of the sisters,
holding up some costly trimming. suppose
pa will scod when he sees the bill but so he
would if it were half as large.
To be sure he would, responded the other
And I'm not going to let the Dayton girls out
shine me, you may be certain. It's my belief
that they give the party simply on account Of
st. Johns return from Europe. / suppose
they are trying to catch him for Georgiana.-
Did you ever hear of anything so very rdicu-
! lous?
Never! Such horrid taste as the girl has in
dress, too She showed me the new silk she is
going to wear Would you believe 1t ? 1t is
blue And she is as dark as an Indian.
That's for the tencft of Mt. st. John +; it is
his favorite color. | met him on the street
yesterday How tall and handsome lie has
grown
Yes, and he Is so rich Ia says he is worth
halfa million, if not more.
Here the two girls passed along ont of sight
and hearing, quite unconstlOus Of the proximity
of tho subject of their remarks.
Good heavens was Mr.. st. Johns inward
reflection; are oil wou!en so heartless, SO
wrapped up in vanity and display
He was about TO quit the store in disgust,
when his attention was arrested by low and
gentle voice, which aroused host Of vague
but pleasant rccollectiohs. lie turned eagerly
in the direction whence it proceeded; and as
his eyes rested upon a slender, neatly-attired
| lady, they lighted up with pleasure.
A woman would have noticed that the bon
net, though neat and fresh, was not of the lat
est style, and the mantle of the last seasons
fashion but men rarely observe such things.
All that st. John saw was the graceful form,
the fair and gentle face of the wearer.
Sweet Rose Lennox he thought, she looks
as lovely and fragrant as her name Can her
fresh and guilcless nature be so perverted as to
care for nothing but outward show7
In the meantime, Rose made few simple
purchases, quite unconscious OF the eyes that
we're following her every look and motion.
Is that all, Miss Lennox, said the clerk.
All, to-day.
If you were thinking OF getting dress, I
can show you something that will suit you.
As I cannot purchase, will not trouble
you, was the low and 4uiet reply
No trouble at all, Miss, said the clerk, un-
rolling the goods, and spreading it out upon
the counter.
1t was heavy lustrous silk-brown, with
CLINT Of gold in it, not unlike the color of the
soft hair that shaded her forehead
1t caught the eye Of the Parker girls, who
were passing, and they gathered eagerly around
it.
It's just the sweetest thing ever saw e7-
claimed the oldest, enthusiastically. Why
don't you get it, Rose? You have nothing for
the party next Thursday, and ii is just what
you want.
Only four dollars yard, suggested the clerk
gathering up the silk in heavy folds so as to
display its lustte and beauty.
There was not the slightest touch OF envy
or regret in tie soft blue eyes that rested ad-
miringy upon it.
It's very pretty and quite ressonble, too;-
but eanHot afford ii.
These words were spoken quietly, and with
such an entire Inconsistencies that she was ad-
mtting anything painful or humiliating, that
with She wonder it aroused in the hearts of
her companions was mingled an involuntary
respect though it was conduct they could not
have initiated, and but vaguely comprehended.
St.t John made inquiries in regard to Mr..
Lennox the next day, and learned that he bad