Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-11-10

attended her home She was always tn
same, innocent, fresh, and unpretending
attired with striking simplicity and nea
ness; in all things the greatest possible Col
trast to her dashng, insincere, fashionabl
cousins. 1t was this difference that wo
Cliford's heart. He was heartily tired {
the shams Of polite society; Of the manag
ing mammas, and the scheming daughters
and the very frankness and naturalness {
Claribel was charm that was irresistible
Claribel little suspected the conquest sh
was making. She remembered Clifford a
the friend of her childhood she felt Away
pleased to see him; nay, in secret, she be
gan unconciously to think of him a goo'
deal but she had no idea that she was fall
ing in love, or that Clifford was in love will
her. Pure, innocent darling! There are
dozen Claras Or Augustus, we fear, wher
there is one Claribel.
At last Clifford determined Oh cou]
epetat. Convinced that the Wallingford
we're deliberately keeping Claribel ava,
from him, he drove to the house, one morn
ing, quite early, and boldly asked for Mis-
Willoughby.
Miss Willoughby done took long walk
dis morning. said the old black woman, who
answered the bell, for it was too soon fol
the fine footman to be about Sun never
catches her in bed.
Then ask her to come down, please.
And 10 one brief moment Claribel came,
neat, fresh, and smiling, with sparkle in
her brown eyes, and rosebud in her bright
hair. Clifford held out both hands to well
come her.
Sit down, Mr.. Murray, please, she said,
my, cousins are not up yet
L am not calling upon your cousins, Miss
Willoughby. My carriage is at the door,
he answered. / have come to take you a
long drive, away out into tue country, if
you will go
oh thank you SO much ? she cried, de-
lightedly. L haven't seen the country for
ever so long
Then get ready at once
She tripped away, and in a few minutes
re-appeared very tastefully arrayed. Cliff
ford led her out, and seated her in his ele.
giant carriage, little suspecting that indig.
nant eyes watched him through the blinds
of the upper windows.
And then they whirled away. Hours
after, on their homeward drive Clifford gave
his housekeeping grays the reins, and
watched Claribel, who was intent upon ar
ranging the evergreens they gathered on
their journey. After awhile he broke the
silence
'Claribel,' he said what am about to
say may seem hasty and premature to you ;
but 1 have lately discovered secret that
has lived III my heart ever since my happy,
old college days. Claribel, [ love youH
She dropped her evergreens. and looked
up, Der brown eyes wide and startled.
You were not expecting declaration,
laughed Clifford, seeing her evident sur,
prise but please think it over, for am
very much in earnest, Claribel l am some.
thing over five and twenty, and have seen
great many charming women, but never
one before that wished to make my wife
What do you say, darling? Can I hope p
Why, Mr.. Murray she stammered her
fair cheeks all afame, what can 1 say, it is
SO sudden; and you forget that liam
very, very poor
Money is no object to me, Claribel. I
have enough, and to spare. I only want
you tolove me. Do you think you ever can !?
She looked up again, as if to read bis
face, and its passionate tenderness dazzled
her. She clasped her hands, and sat for a
moment in intense thought.
Speak to me Claribel,' urged the impa.
tent lover. Can you learn to love me 2
She broke into childish little laugh,
though her eyes were swimming in tears.
Indeed, Mr.. Murray she replied, art
lessly, 1 never thought of such thing in
all my life but dear papa thought SO much
Of you, and-Well I don't think the task
will be so very hard. really believe she
added, with charming confusion, and put
ting out her little, futteriug hand shyly
since you have made me think about it
that love you already ....
Clifford caught the little hand, and Gov
cred it with rapturous kisses and that was
the end, or the beginning, rather Anc
just here we will drop the curtain, for Ian
guage would be inadequate to portray the
amazed wrath the bitter disappointment tina
overwhelmed the house Of Wallingford
when it became known, Claribel had wor
the prize.