Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-01-05

Aidu, bAC AOi0 ACI COuuoCl, tuA W1AISO'
But why continue? IT'S the old stor,
over again Smiles, honeyed words, flowers
small attentions insignificant to one. bu
confirmation to the other; and then thu
finale, the awakening, and the destruction
of loving hopes, fairy palaces and-Ste
phanie knew it all.
One warm, bright evening, she sat wait
ing for him, he having promised to call will
some new prints, and the young girls quick
eped ear listened for every football on the
walk.
1t came she was not disappointed, and
the time fed away as rapidly as it had ever
done on any preceding evening. The con
versation was of books, flowers, pictures,
the topics of the day, intermingled with
bantering repartee, and merry witioisms.
The gentleman seemed more devoted than
ever, while Stephanie's cheeks flushed, he1
eyes frightened, and her foolish little heart
palpitated with timid delight, and her soul
enjoyed, to the utmost, this new experience,
SO sweet and strange.
At last, Rupert rose to 60, and, as he
opened the door, he turned to his fair hos
tess, with a shadow of regret lingering
round his bearded lips.
Il am sorry to be obliged TO say good
bye with goodnight Stephanie, but SO it
is | leave town in the morning"
"Wbat, going SO soon, Rupert ?" and
Stephanie felt tightening at her heart. and
choking in her throat.
s'You cannot know how [ regret it, but
one member of our firm is obliged to 60
southwark, on important business, and the
choice has fallen upon me, hence my sudden
departure. I am doubly sorry to drop our
delightful acquaintance so soon, but believe
me, | shall ever carry with me pleasant
remembrance Of the hours we have spent to-
gether, and trust at some future time, we
may renew the agreeable friendship. I
trust [ shall not be forgotten among your
other friends"
Forgotten She felt the word an insult
to her truth. She strove to speak, and sue
ceeded in uttering few commonplace wish
es in regard to his journey, and stiff respon-
ses to his hopes, in regard to their sometime
meeting, but the words seemed to die in
whispers.
He scarcely seemed to notice her embar
rassment
''Thanks for your kind wishes, Stepha-
ME, but | fear l am OBTAINING you, and you
look weary +; besides. wish to spend few
hours with Mr.. Ferrers, so good ht,
Stephanie.',
Goodnight, Rupert"
And the darkness entered with the open
door, and light and joy were all gone from
the world for Stephanie.
Now the aunt showed her wisdom. She
did not sit down to condole with her niece
over the destruction of her day dream, but,
knowing her desire to travel, especially to
Europe, opened her money bags, packed
her trunks, and before Siephanie we'll knew
it, she was far away from the scene Of her
disappointment The natural elasticity of
her spirits soon enabled her to throw off de-
preston, and enjoy all that was passing
Ground her, to the full
The tour was extended and prolonged !;
the soul Of the young girl expanding under
the influence of art and natural beauty,
while all that was artist in her, became we'll
known, as writer OF merit in the literary
world
When ten years have Passed over her
head, take up her story once more.
Twas evening in great city. In one
of its most aristocratic avenues, large and
stately mansion was brilliantly illuminated.
Numbers of people seemed to throng its en-
trance, md several carriages waited at the
curbstone
Il say, Dick" called out one straggler,
to another, whose party is that %
spon't you know ?" contemptuously in
quired the other, why, it's that woman
what writes books, just from Europe.
hearn tells
Yes, courteous reader, Stephanie rich,
noted, beautiful, but still unmarried.
Cline enough, trow," quoth she,
'tWhen we're tired of liberty"
And that time had not yet come to Stepha
ME I4ongwood.
She bore an unrevealed purpose in bel
breast and trusted to time and patience tt
accomplish her end !; SO far, fortune hat
favored her.
. This evening, as she stood in the brillian
rooms, filled with the talented and the fash
ionable, gathered to pay her compliment
and congratulations, on her return to he
native land she thought Of the old time
and gazed around for one whom she ha(
been assured would be present to pay hi
devoirs to the new star, as indeed, he wa
too ready to do On every occasion.
She had been told that he had change
but little, and that for the better, and, lik
herself, still single.
Standing, listening to the name compl
ments Of a sentimental lady Of fashion, sh
felt a light touch on her arm, and turning
beheld her hostess, while beside her stoo
he, whom, of oil others, she had desired
meet again-her heart told her why.
He bowed with the old courtliness sh
coldly inclined her head, with dangeror
light in her half-veiled eyes
II see you already know each other
said the hostess.
sWe met many years ago." replied r
pert Harris, land am only too proud
renew the acquaintance. I told you v
i, should meet again, Miss Longwood"
Another bow, and the steely glitter in b
eyes. He did not notice it in admiring Il
! beauty of face and figure, which be hi
seen foreshadoVed in the girl of years b
fore
II think you two can amuse each 9th
9 for the present, SO must beg to be Q
cused," remarked the hostess and she Il
r them.
- ), Twas the moment Stephanie had long
for, for years Again the well=rememher
! ! voice rang in her ears, and With strol
= = effort she repressed her feelings, called
{ her conversational powers into play, and {
tonished all who listened to her, by the e
- - tent Of her knowledge Of men, and name