Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-10-20
SELECTED STORY
ETSY PEYTON.

"Do not return to the Grange, Etsy.-
Come with us to Newport, the beautiful
Mrs. Peyton will be the rage there, as she
has been in Philadelphia this winter, even
though she does keep herself so close"
Etsy's lip curled with something Of the
haughtiness of early days.
II cannot, Aggie. am tired Of gayety
Oh, this is such hard world to gel
through. am SO tired Of it-so tired o.
living"'
.'What, Etsy tired of living twenty
five ~
! ''Even so, Aggie fathcrless, motherIess
and deserted wife-it is enough" 10
"Not deserted, Etsy; you have twice re
fused to join him.
eyes, I know we have both erred
we are both too proud. In some Of my
moods I do not blame Lionel. I was SC
changed, SO sallow, and bony, and homely
and then never could forgive him that frs
unconscious start and shrinking away Had
I loved only Lionel in allmy life, and I for
got for the moment how changed I Was, and
flew to meet him. He recovered himsel
in moment, but it seemed as if it changed
my whole nature, and I grew cold and dis
daintul /; but great pain was at my heart
even when I seemed most Indifferent
have the same pain tonight"
"You love him still, Etsy ?"
The crimson lips grew scornful, and Their
tremulous.
eyes have never loved any one else
You will think me mean-spirited, Aggie 2
"No, Etsy; I honor you for it. But VIC
will not talk of it Papa will 60 anywhere
1 wish. have never beea to Niagara, i
you would like, we will 60 there. where al
will be strangers to u.s."
So they went to Niagara-Mr. Warner
Agnes and Etsy. Leaving the ladies in the
reception-room. Mr.. Warner went to regis
ter the names in the hotel book Of entry
but returned in moment with face from
which every vestige of color had flown.
Etsy, when went to write my name, 6
gentleman was just returning his pen to its
case, and the ink was yet wet with the name
of Lionel Peyton.''
'My husband p
II fear SO but do not grow so pale
child. I thought perhaps you might wish
to leave this place, and SO did not register
our names.
The beautiful pale face was pitiful to see
''Stay, let me think. 1t might not b.
my husband, and yet never knew Lion
ell Peyton out of our family. Was the gen
tleman's face anything like this gu and poo1
Etsy took miniature from her jewel case
Eyes, it is very like, only this face il
more youthful. The face I saw was beard
ed, and bronzed, and care.worn looking
eff thought he would not know me,
would stay and see him for myself would
like to-"
"He would never know you. Esy. Yo,
are as unlike the Etsy Of fifteen as you art
the wife of twenty. I think you might re
main with perfect safety; and it may no
be your husband after ALL"
So Etsy stayed, and on the book of entry
was written Mr.. Ely Warner and daughter
and Mrs. Willis
1--WE will call you Essiet, and then if i
is your husband he will never know you.
Mr.. Warner was right, Lionel Peytor
could never recognize in this Brilliant,
beautiful woman either the rosy school, ir
of fifteen or the wife of twenty. Etsy a
twenty-five was tall and stately, With clear
dark skin, brilliant color, and large, sha
dow-haunting eyes, in whose depths lay
great pain you felt it as soon as you say
her. 1t was her husband, Ntsy knew hin
the moment she saw him. 1t was in tn
dining-room she first met him. He looke'
at the party entering, as any gentleman
would look at pretty women, bis gaze rest
ing longest on Etsy, her gorgeous eastern
beauty over-shadowing the pale loneliness o
Agnes Warner, but it is evident he did no
recognize her.
He was bronzed and bearded, and som
times more than careworn-sad. Etsy be
gan to question whether he, too had not sui
fered They sat at the same table day at
ter day, this husband and wife, till poo
Etsy's heart was like to break. By and b.
Mr.. Warner made Mr.. Peyton's acquaint
ance in the reading.room, and together the.
travelled over Europe-where Mr.. Warne
once spent many years Of his life-Mr
Peyton's great descriptive powers, painting
as With pencil, every subject he touehe'
upon.
One day Etsy said half scornfully, hal
earnestly
"What do you think Of my husband, Mr.
Warner
ct admire him more than any man
ever knew, Etsy. 1 wish I could under
stand what is keeping you apart"
That night he sent for the ladies to joi
him in the parlor To Rtsy's surprise b
introduced them to Mr.. Peyton, who tire,
.. the charm of his conversation over them, a
he had over Mr.. Warner, and the evenin
passed ere it had begun.
Time passed on and other evenings wer
together spent, and it soon required but
careless eye to see that the face of Etsy Pey