Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-11-10
SELECTED STORY
From Peterson's Magazine.]
THE WAY TO WIN HIM.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

will you never learn said Mrs. Wall
ingford, angrily. addressing her daughters,
Clara and Augusta, 'to be dressed in time
for morning callers This is not the first
occasion I've had to speak of it.
Nor will it be the last answered Clara,
pertly. 1t doesn't pay to dress SO soon,
especially when one isn't sure anybody will
call The footman told Mr.. Murray to
watt
But gentlemen don't like to be kept wait
ing. Nothing disgusts them more, And
the catch Of the season, too It's useless
for me to work and plan for you, if you act
in this way
i Clifford Murray, the hero of our story,
possessed every advantage that man could
desire. He was young, eminently hand
] some, finely educated. and the heir to large
estates. Murray House, his fathers resi-
dence, was one of those fine old mansions
that still linger here and there, as rnemen.
toes of the past, even in New York it was
grand and sumptuous, in a stately way,
quite different from anything that is built
nowadays and it was adorned everywhere
with works of the rarest beauty and costli-
ness It was principally for his sake that
Mrs. Wallingford had issued cards for what
she intended should be the ball of the win.
ter. No wonder, therefore, she lost her
temper when she found, the morning he
called, that the niece she had taken in from
charity, had accidentally met Mr.. Murray
and proved to be and old acquaintance. -
But for the dilatoriness of her daughters,
she said to herself, this would not have hap.
peped and though Clara and Augusta
laughed at the idea of rivalry on the part Of
Claribel, Mrs. Wallingford was not so sure
of their superiority. But let us 60 back and
tell how it all happened.
Clifford Murray was going up the broad
walk that led to the imposing front entrance
of the Walling fords', and was admiring the
gorgeous greenhouse bloom and tropical
splendor that met his eye on every side.
when his attention was suddenly arrested
by the sound of woman's voice, or girls
voice, rather singing a simple, but mos'
exquisite strain. He was an ardent lover
of music, and paused involuntarily at the
base Of the marble steps, and listened
while the clear, liquid notes foated out or
the frosty air He thought it the sweetest
voice he had ever heard-and he smiled un
consciously in his delight.
just at this moment, the drawing-roo
window flew up and tuft of feathers fut
tered in and out, and the wondrous singing
seemed much nearer than before. Clifford
Murray was gentleman, but for the life o
him he could not refrain from looking up
and as he did so, pair Of very brown eye'
looked down, and the singing ceased all o
sudden
why, dear me ." cried pretty. plain
tive voice. Wait just one moment, please
Mr. Murray
Mr.. Murray ran up the steps, and tn
door was opened as he reached it.
'Good-morning, Mr.. Murray said tn
same pretty voice. You have forgotten
ne, no doubt; but I remember you. Wall
in, please
He walked in, and seated himself ami
the spendors of the Wallingford drawing
room.
I was busting off the furniture whel
you came, continued his companion. smooth
ing down pair Of very dainty cuffs as sh
spoke, and the drawing-room is littl
cold Won't you sit closer to the fire ?
Murray was at his wits end. This wa
neither Of the Misses Wallingfords he ha
seen on his first CALL Who could it be ?
He looked at her narrowly. A trim, grace
full figure in deep black, save the spotles
white at the throat and wrists, and tn
sweetest young face, and the brightest, sun
niest hair his eyes had ever beheld. Sh
looked up. and her brown eyes twinkled.
/ 'Ah, you have quite forgotten me, MI
Murray ? she said, mischievously.
Clifford Murray cudgled his memory a
he never did before Presently sudde
fash lit his gray eyes.
mo, I haven't he exclaimed, rising
his feet. You are Claribel Willoughby
the rector's daughter
The young lady smiled, and extended he
hand.
Miss Willoughby,' he continued, I al
very glad to meet you. How is you
worthy father, any my old friends 2
Her eyes filled with tears Immediately
He saw his mistake in an instant.
Forgive me- he entreated glanclng
her mourning robes, I did not think ; an
, I have panied you So
mo, no p she replied, struggling brav
ly for self-command it does not pain mi
I love to speak of poor papa it is Il
: greatest pleasure I have but sometimes
It all comes so sudden
:, All! often look back to those hapl
= evenings at the parsonage. How lor
: since?'
, He paused, fearing to give her pain.
y Over year now,' she replied, quietl
st sand have not been home since Aunt
took me away Immediately after poor papa
s. death, and she is very good and kind b
At I do SO long for my old home This ci
d life is very dull and prosy, I think.