Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-02-16

Messy bank, and were rapidly approach
ing their stopping place. a sgIf
lie reach the car previously occupied
just in time to see the blue eyed beauty
tripping along on the platform Of Water
ford depot towards a coach, on which was
painted in flaming letters, Messy bank. ,
She looked back, to smile and bow in
acknow eldgment- of the efforts made by
Edgar in her behalf; then she wssle
shriekd, the engine pulled away, carrying
the angler toward the mountain stream,
while the stage coach conveyed Mile
Woodburn to Messy bank cottage.
1t was brief, bright vision that had
flashed across Edgar Stickney's journey,
but 1t was 50 potent that it banished from
his mind all other. thoughts until the enc
OF his journey was reached. 7i' hi'9 '-'''
Aunt Eunce gladly welcomed her
nephew to her pleasant home She lived
almost entirely alone in the large comfor
table, old-fashioned mansion, and looked
forward to the yearly visits Of her Edgar
with almost childish fondness. & 'sr
The good woman had resolved that her
nephew should inherit her property when
she should be called to sunder all earthly
ties; but he was not to know of the
good fortune in store for him until that
time; and moreover, in her own mind,
she had decided on condition to be conf
pllcd wish BY him. OF this he was also
lgDorant.
Our readers must know, however, that
Mrs. Eunlce Summer, who was some
:hlng Of match maker, had determined
to See her nephew we'll mar ried.' as she
expressed it, before informing him of the
tenor OF her last will and testament.
With that purpose in view, the invitation
had been extended at a time when
Miss Aiarle Anthony was visiting Mrs.
Sumner, and the kind old lady hoped, b.
praises OF each to the other, to accom>
plish the object of her wishes without
much opposition. -tf
Hiss Anthony was very nearly the
same age as Edgar Stckney, although
she pers listed il forgetting the years that
had passed since she was twenty-five.
Her home was i'll Boston, where she
had enjoyed the title Of reigning belle
for season, and, in fact, she was very
intelligent and pretty but her beauty
was Of passive, and pensive order, not
always appreciate ted By spirited young
men, who have the wide world before
them, and their own fortune to carve out
of Its rough, cold surface.
Miss Anthony and Edgar took pleas
IN III tha do II
moonlight, or both the ladies listened to
Edgar clear, well-modulated voice, as
he read from the best authors or poets
and thus the days and evenings passed
pleasantly. II.
But, on excurs ions up the mountain
and angling il the streams, Edgar was
obilgei to go unaccompanied, for Miss
Anthony considered such adventurers not
quite proper for young lady. and, with
al, very fatiguing.
One morning, Edgar Stickney took
fl shlng-rod, etc, and as the stream was
about three miles from his aunts dwell
ing, he Thoughtful was adisable to ride,
as he expected to return with large num-
Der of fish. .-.s
lie had horse attached to a light
wagon, and soon was casting his deceittui
flies where they were most likely to tempt
the greedy trout.
Many speckeled innoccnts found tn cir
way to large basket provided for their
reception, and the now hungry angler
was about to return home W tn his tro-
phies, when clear voice, merry with
aug hter, rung in his ears, which was al
most instantly followed by an exclama-
ton as some one in pain.
Dropping fish ing, rod and line. Edgar
rushed up the mountain-side, aud found
to his great surprise, young lady. seated
on messy rock, with evident signs Of
distress Ga her pretty face.
Excuse ne, said the gallant fisher
man as he approached with uplifted hat,
1 thought heard cry of distress.
Are you hurt?' #a.l ,
L believe [ am injured little. I
slipped upon rolling stick, and ind it
very painful to try to step.
She looked up VIII lie speaking, and 4
tears produced by excessive pain. stood in
her large b lue eyes; and, as Edgar saw
those eyes, he knew at once that he
stood in the presence of the young lady
who was fellow traveller on the il
road train. ,r1 Is
why, surely we have met BEFORE ex-
claimed our hero, as he politely offered
his arm for the assistance of his compau-
ion; ALLOW me to- assist YOU. Do YOU
reside near here Z?
Then Mile odburn-for it was in.
deed, that young lady-told Edgar that
she was visiting with some friends. who
lived about tea miles away that party
of them were out 18th carriage for q
drive and nut gathering; that she had
strayed away from her companions, uatil
uncertain which way they had taken.
She had seen Edgar from hillside.
and supposed to be one of ber party, had
laughed to attract his attention. At that
moment she fell, aud was not quite sure
whether or not any bones were broken,
but the pain was intense.
AS Mile Woodburn's party did not
make their appearance, she consented to
accept Ecigars polite invitation to ride
with him to his aunt's residence, where
it was discovered that a severely sprained
ankle was the result of the fall
Aunt Eunice was skilled in the treat
ment of such eases, and soon had banda
ges. saturated with arnica, applied to the
painful limb /; then she administered a
soothing draught, and Mile with many
expressions Of thanks, declared that she
was much better. ~
In the meantime, Edgar started IN