Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-05-12
SELECTED STORY.
AT LAST.
BY j. R. RIDER.

did you ENJOY your walk, MIR. Mere
dith %
They were alone in the library. Lifting
her eye from the embroidery on which she was
engaged, Geraldine Haseltine has asked fhis
question. Miracles of warmth, and light,
! and expression were there in these eyes
| sky blue, with dim star in the debth of
each. Seated there, with the mellow gas
light shimmering softly on the rich masses
| of her golden hair, and on the chisselled
whiteness of forehead, and throat, and arms,
Guy Meredith thought he had never beheld
vision half so lovely.
Since Meredith's acquaintance with the
proud heiress, he had enjoyed many an
agreeable tete-a-tete with her; and they had
became about as intimate as two young peo-
pie of opposite sexes, both clevor,. and both
we'll, ducated, are likely, after two years of
friendship, to fnd themselves at the end of
that period.
Miss Haseltine's behavior towards Guy
was at all tunes irreproachable for its we'll
bred and lady-like politeness. But she
mixed with her courteous mode of treating
him certain favor of patronage that wrung
his proud heart bitterl y, and told him, as
plainly as words could have told, II am
Miss Haseltine, high born, beautiful, and an
heiress; you are poor, struggling lawyer,
my social inferior; and these are the terms
on which we meet"
| Now, for the first time since their &C.
quaintance had begun, he overstepped the
barrier OF social courtesy that separated the
poor lawyer from Miss Haseltine's friend
and equal.
eyes" he replied, approaching the table
by which she was seated, ''our walk was
very pleasant-at least, supposed the 9TH
ers enjoyed it. I, however, would have
preferred chat with you SO vastly, that
am afraid Miss Darlington found me an I'm.
interesting escort May make up for lost
time tonight, however? Your appearance
is SO bewildering in that exquisite dress, that
| am going to pay you my first CONF linen
and say"
Nothing, if you please, Mr.. Meredith. .
There was little pause, and then Mere
dith said, his voice trife shaken, his man.
ner by no meaus as calm as it might have
been, "Gerald Haseltine, hear ne In spite
of your pride, l am compelled to speak at
last. Shrink from and despise me, if you
will, but must speak and know the truth
Ever since first met you, passion that
have been powerless to resist has controlled
each action of my life 1t has not been fed
by hope, this mad folly of mine. I knew
your haug hty spirit too well-your pride,
your position, Jour-''
"Then why have you declared this
lov?'
The tones with which she interrupted him
were family tremulous; but her manner be-
trayed nothing save perfect calmness.
Il have declared it," Guy answered
"for reasons that you will idle enough, Miss
Haseltine. | wish to know should wealth
and position come to me-"
Stop, Mr.. Meredith Do I understand
you correctly" 1t is impossible to convey
the mingled surprise and scorn with which
as she arose and placed her hand upon the
/ door-knob, her head turned slightly in Guy.
direction, she spoke these words by
what right have you presumed to cohside,
that any thing like love existed between
yourself and NE? You forget, sir, that an
the daughter of rich and aristocratic par
ents; that you area gentlemanly person
if you will, but poor lawyer, and by ne
means my social equal p
AS Meredith's lips moved to reply hel
hand was waved imperiously, as if com
handing his silence. An instant afterwards
the door closed upon her retreating figure
He leaned dizzily against the wall, and
attempt' to collect h S scattered thoughts
This, then. was to he tie end of all hi
hopes. The bare, loveess existence was tt
be his. instead of the bright, loving one hi
had painted For moment his brain reel
) ed. It was something for him to yield VI
all these glowing hopes Of his early man
hood something to realize that he would
never be loved by woman-never be loved
by wife or children-for he had vowed tina
no other woman save Geraldine should eve
be embodied within his arms. But as b,
stood there he grasped the whole terrible
truth. and comprehended it fully. Then h
closed his lips firmly, turned on his heels
left the house, and walked away.
He was young, handsome, talented, ant
with good education. He was well known
to number Of excellent legal firms, which
had already employed him as barrister
and be had gained several important case
already. There was nothing that did no
promise him success.
lie walked leisurely mp the street, enter
ed home, sought his bed, He might have
slept, he might not. Certain it is that h
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