Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-08-23
SELECTED STORY
SAVED BY A WOMAN'S SMILE.
BY FRANCIS HENsHAW BADEN.

resort of the time that from one Of the cot
tage windows foated out on the evening air
a women's voice. She was singing an old
song Cathlcen Mavourneen. There was a
world Of passion in her tone, passion really
felt, not affected. one was wild enough
to believe, as leaning over the instru-
ment he listened to her song. She had
wonderful voice; so full and powerful
now, and again lulling one into blissful
dreams Of soft sweetness.
The song was finished Both the music
and words had penetrated the Utmost soul of
Cecil Delmar
why did you sing that song, Florence ~
he asked
because it pleased me-" she answered,
raising her eyes and smiling.
How beautiful she was Aud her smile +!
Did ever woman smile as Florence Caring
ton ? many have asked-such bright be-
wildering smile as hers.
"Florence, do you know that your smile
is the brightest that ever fingered on wo-
mans ips?' Cecil said, gazing lovingly on
her.
$50 many have told me-" she answered
with provoking carelessness
"Aye, Florence, a smile which carries
man almost to heaven when it is given
him or sinks him to the realms of despair if
turned on another Florence, | never hear
that song, ''Her bright smile haunts me
still" but [ think Of your smile, and feel as
the poet must have felt. Aye, love, even
in eye and heart it has lived, cheering, COM
forting, and bringing me back to you, ever
constant and true"
''There, there, Cecil, do stop! One would
think that you we're rehearsing for private
theatrical" she said, turning again, and
running her fingers over the keys Of the in
strument.
"Florence
"Cecil, please do not stare at me so; it
is impelite. [ should have thought your
travelling 10 Europe would have polished and
changed you a little," she said.
"Chapged! Florence, what do you
mean p
IL mean, Cecil, that three years might be
expected to bring change to all When you
left home I was child, not knowing my
own DeaTt anu Vou-
ga man gives his heart, Florence, to a
girl he believed loving, constant and true
with perfect faith Cecil said, his voice
trembling with emotion.
"Nonsense, Cecil Ours was but boy
and girl affair, and years have
"Changed the artless, loving girl to a
woman of the world. no longer contented
with the devotion of one heart Florence,
YOU are trying me; say it is so"
s.No, Cecil, nothing of the kind, I am
sorry to grieve you, but it will only be a
passing cloud And you will, perhaps, thank
me for considering your future welfare
Y ou have to work for years yet, Cecil Your
fortune is to retrieve, name to make. And
then you can think of love. You wrong
me when you say | am not contented with
the devotion of one heart. am, and proud
Of it too But it is of one his country is
! proud Of And when so many fair women
we're sighing for what have won, I should
be content. See. Cecil"
She took from her pocket small portrait
and handed it to him. 1t was the face oil
one Cecil had seen long beside her the night
before; one who had known her by reputa
ton for years; the popular bachelor OF the
day.
"Now Cecil, have acted candidly witt
you can we not still be friends p
He knew all then-knew she was lost to
him-knew the girl before him was false.
Aye, but knew not that more than to hin
was she false, false to the pleadings of hel
own heart. Ambition bad conquered in the
contest, and love was buried in the bidder
recess of her heart The false girl vainlJ
thought that in the brilliant future she would
win, if not happiness, at least content OBJ
livion Of the past.
The compressed lips parted-he wa
about to speak to her-to upbraid, or per
chance with words of forgiveness to part
Whichever it might have been was checked
by the sound Of a coming step-a firm, com
handing tread. Both knew it. A Hust
mantled her pale face. With cold, bite
smile, Cecil Delmar turned away. Anothe
instant, and she knew he had gone.
"False girl" he said "Will wealth ane
position make you happy? Yes-perhaps
for surely she has no heart for ought else
How I worshipped her, believing her loving
and true Well, the dream is oyer, an'
life has nothing more for me. Gould m,
loss of fortune make her fly from me? All
she might have known how l would hav
worked for fame and wealth 70: her. How
inviting the water looks tonight Tn
waves seem calling me. | will 60"
Cecil, having left Florence, and wandered
beside the sea.shore. Certainly life seeme'
very dark to him then. He believed tn