Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-01-12

dence, but had greater part of them, beer
actually prepared by her OVID fair hands
They were very nice and delicate, and look
ed quite tempting when placed in the silver
basket which were arranged on side-table
and tastefully iuterspersed with other bas
kets piled high with heavy clusters Of deli
cious grapes and fruits Of various kinds.
Cecilia, when ready to receive her visi.
tors, never had looked more lovely. Her
beauty was kind to bear the almost severe
simplicity of the morning costume she had
chosen& for the occasion. Her forehead,
above which her dark brown hair, evenly
parted. fell in rich heavy curls down to her
shoulders was Of usulhed purity and if her
cheeks were ordinarily shade too pale. they
now lowed like the unfolding leaves Of a
red A.se. II was excitement which lent
them their rich color yet the last New
Years day she had received her visitors as
calmly as nun. from the window of her
cell, might watch the fading hucs of sum-
mer sunset
"Will Frederick Inglis me?" was the
question which kept constantly passing
through her mind. 1t might be, that he
had already left the city-Ho said some
thing about leaving soon the last time she
saw him. Her suspense was soon termli
mated, for he was amorg the first to arrive
The unmistakable which lighted up her
countenance at bis entrance, was noticed by
the few who were present as we'll as the
chilling reserve manifested by him Cece-
liza was utterly at loss to account for it,
His presence had been all that she had cared
for-almost all which she had thought about:
and now, his first look had that il it which
chilled her heart as if it had been struck
with an icebolt. Her color fed, and she
felt sick and faint Her mother, alarmed
at her sudden pallor, rose to &C to her, Cece-
liza saw the movement, and by significant
look prevented her approach. 1t would not
do to give way to her feeling he might
suspect the cause. Pride came to her aid, and
in the naughty coldness Of her manner, she
even exceeded Inglis, whenever she was
compelled to bestow on him any little atten-
ton.
Other gentleman soon arrived, and hav-
ing once succeeded in throwing off all out
ward semblance of painful emotion, Cecil
had never appeared half SO spar king-halt
SO brilliant Bright flashes of wit, playful
sallies of humor, accompanied by the sun.
NEST of smiles, were thrown off in rapid sue
cession with no apparent effort. So en-
chanted we're those present, that they for
got to count the minutes, and prolonged
their stay far beyond the time prescribed by
fashion. Frederick Inglis was the only ex-
eeptioa. Every smile Of Cecelia's which
belmed SO brightly on those around him,
th lied his heart as il if 1t had seeu pierced
BY an arrow Of Ere. He could not remain
longer to be thus tortured, and rose to 60.
Al The moment bright, child-like face was
seen looking in at one of the doors.
rGousIa ICeceIIa,, the owner OF the
face, II naust speak with you minute
Your visitors will certainly excuse you one
minute"
"Walk in, Clara" said Occelia. ''Your
communication will dare say be quite
as good if kept an hour or two
ono, no." said Clara, earnestly Il
game myself because I was determined not
to be put of Two OF three hours Two or
three minutes might DO world of mis-
chief"
Il think you had better go with her
Cecilia" said her mother. "Our visitors,
I dare say, will excuse you"
''Certainly-certainly.' was the response
of half dozen voices.
30, Cecilia" said Clara the moment the
door was closed behind him, go with me to
your room-I have something to show you,"
and without waiting for her cousin to lead
the way she fastened to the well-known
apartment.
''Look !' said she. opening little box
isn't this the lovelest rosebud you ever saw?
And it was sent to you, Frederick 1nglis,
that handsome Southern gentleman, sent it,
''Sent it to me 9"
Eyes but by some mistake, the boy he
sent it by brought it to our house. l was
just passing through the hall as b. come to
the door, and l heard him say, Here is
something far the yaung leddy.'' 7 thought,
of course, it was Uncle Joseph's present, for
he almost always sends it the evening before
new years day.. So tore off the paper it
was wrapped in. without even looking at it,.
I was so eager to see what it contained
When I found that it was from Mr.. Inglis,
instead of Uncle Joseph. assure you was
pretty we'll puzzled thought about it all
the evening. and then again all the morn
ing, when by accident I came across the
envelope | tore off SO hastily and found it
was directed to you.-Now, sit down and
read this note, and [ will put the rosebud in
your hair as well as if I were a real lady s
maid"
By reading the note, Cecilia could at once
accout for the cold reserve manifested by
Inglis, beneath which he strove to veil his
Disappointment.
"Where is the rosebud p said Cecilia,
who in her eagerness to read the note, had
not minded what Clara said Or did.
where it ought to be----in your hair
"Why, Clara p
"4ou have got to return to the drawing:
room with it just as / have placed it, that
lis, if you wish to ever to see Frederick
1nglis again-for he told brother Harry
that he thought some of starting for the
South in the morniDg-And he will start,
you may depend, unless you wear the rose
bud he sent you. IF you don't, you'll re-
pent-I know you will" urged Clara, as
Cecilia stood hesitating.
Il believe you are right-yetI wish
had time for reflection"
When Cecilia re.entered tho drawing
room, Inglis had resumed his seat She
was much agitated, and bushes crimsoned
her cheeks. When Ingls saw his rosebud
nesting among the soft brown curls, his
countenance changed as if fash of light
had passed over it.
"What could it mean Was she aetuated
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