Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-08-23

: Mounting the bridge he determined frol
thence to plunge Into the bosom of tb
ocean.
Although late hour, many persons sti
fingered there. Cecil seated himself to wal
their departure At length all were gon
save party just opposite.
"Come let US CO., said one of them.
"No. no" answered voice SO sweet tina
Cecil was drawn from sad musings to listen
"Do come now. Louisa What are yo1
stopping for p again urged
"No, no. [ want to stay-to enjoy THU
scene. What glorious night? Ours is 6
world of such beauty, often think how one
can wish to leave it !' said the sweet voice
again.
ooh, Louisa, as yet you have only the
bright side of life. Clouds may arise
eyes | know. But don't talk of clouds.
Now only see. The moon has stolen be.
hind that huge large bank, as if to demon
strate your idea. But oh true life. the
darkness is only temporary. Here our
4 beautiful queen comes forth again, all dark
ness dispelling l think the last few mo-
moments scenes is picture of life, and with
its lesson too. Oh, yes cling to our
beautiful earth, never fearing its darkness,
which know must fade away and the COM
ing day be all the brighter for the darkness
preceding it.
Was she talking to him Cecil almost
believed she had penetrated his very soul,
and was pleading to him for its safety.
''L'usa, you should have been called
hope. The name would have just suited
you, you are such trusting little body"
said one of her companions.
eyes, know neither doubts or fears''
Hope on, hope on,' is ever my motto.
Come now. will go now, if you please
She arose with her friends, and moved
with them until within few yards of Cecil,
when she turned, as if for last look at the
beautiful scene
Was it by accident or design that clus-
ter of natural flowers fell at Cecil's feet p
He had seen them in her hair few moments
before.
She stopped as if to regain them, when
Cecil sprang forward and caught them up
Quickly detaching one, he handed the others
to her. She saw him he knew, fer the night
was as bright and clear as MONDAY. Re-
ceiving her flowers, she thanked him with a
smile-a smile so different from Florence's
smile; not near so bright, but gentle, sweet,
pleading, saving smile. She passed on, and
Cecil Delmar drew back from the entrance
of the clark Valley and followed saved
Louisa, what meant your words and &C.
tons tonight - asked the gentle girls low
err a few moments after, when they were
seated in private parlor,
Harry, you know meant something"
she said.
Surely | know, too, my darling, it
was something Of good only" =
"Thank you, Harry" she answered, her
eyes filling with tears of JOY. 'Tll tell you.
You have often said I could read ones
thoughts. Sometimes I can. That young
man who sat opposite us thought was wait
ing our departure to throw himself into the
ocean. I watched him closely from the
moment he came near. read despair in eve
ny feature. | talked for his ear, and saw
he heard and listened. Believing I had
caused him to wave his determination, [
tho't possibly might save him. That was
why dropped my little boquet, and then
smiled upon him. Likely may never see
him again-we leave tomorrow morning
But Heaven grant my endeavor may have
helped him, if he was in despair, as be-
lieved"
"Louisa, you are an angel, and have
saved one man from destruction know
What / am, you have made me- If that
young man was in danger, you have saved
him, tool saw him leave the BRIDGE
= x 4 4 x X X
Years passed on, during which many
times Cecil Delmar's thoughts reverted to
the girl who saved him. Louisa was
name to him the most beautiful and sacred
A little flower, faded and yellow was treas
ured away and priced dearly, when all re.
minders of Florence were'lost and forgotten.
He often heard Of her in the world of fash
ion. Runner spoke of her as not happy
woman. The man that many women had
smiled upon and "sighed for" as Florence
had said, cared but little for the smiles of
his wife. Perhaps he looked into the depth
of her heart, and found the skeleton hidden
there.
Florence had told Cecil he had work to
do. lie had done, and was still doing it
Fortune had returned Fame crowned him
with her brilliant laurels. Fair women
smiled upon him. Men we're proud to call
him friend
Once more they met, ten years after,
when Florence, regally beautiful, and wild
ow, seated in the Hall of the Great, gazed
from the gallery down upon the Senator
from -. The same old smile-the
bright beautiful smile. But she felt its
power was over; gone she feared, beyond
recall. He hesltated not to 60 to her side. She
had almost despaired of his coming at all,
when, as though they had parted but yes
terday, he approached her. There was no
hesitancy in his greeting. Calm, easy and
graceful, he accepted the scat beside her,
and entered into conversation on the popu.
lar topics Of the day. What cared she for
them? Was it of this she had dreamed,
watched and waited for? Skillfully she turn.
ed his thoughts that they might drift back
to ether days. But he cared not to linger
with the past, she felt
Oft his gaze wandered over the brilliant
throng. At last Florence saw a look of
great interest in his eye, turning to her, he
asked:
"Do you know that young lady just leav-
ing the gallery?"
"Sightly [ have met her. But she's
not a very young lady-Mrs. Clifton. She
is thought quite pretty" Florence an.
swered
There came look Of disappointment over