Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-04-12

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know be didn't zee me steal around the
lawn, whom that odious Aldrich was gone,
and pick up the roses again"
| There was strong symptoms Of coming
tears sort Of quivering sob in the voice.
"You won't forgive me, Kate Not il
tell you that L really do love your tall
stern brother? Only. Katy. was silly
enough to want to tease him little, and
test my power over his noble heart. I love
him. Kate, I may tell you Of it, dear, with
out being bold, or unwomanly, because you
know we have often talked about bis liking
me )ittle-and-oh, Kate. answer me y
don't be so cold and cruel! Surely you can't
be asleep!"
where are your lips, cher annie :" she
coaxed. playfully. II shall soon break the
magic spell of silence that binds them. You
know you never could keep vexed with me
more than FIVE minutes at time. Why,
where's your hair i? Where
She sprang suddenly to her feet with a
piercing scream-her wandering hand had
touched the dark, heavy moustaches on
which Colonel FMordaunt prided himself so
specially.
He strove to catch the hand-to detain
the frightened beauty long enough to plead
bis cause in earnest. impassioned words. but
in vain. Fear seemed literally to lend her
wings Away, like . frightened white Cove
she few, uttering wild. hysteric screams,
and fairly falling into the arms Of the aston
ished Katy Mordaunt, who was just coming
in from the star.lighted garden with both
hands full of dewy branches of honey suckles.
"Vslentin," she exclaimed, dropping the
spicy blossoms, "why." what is the matter?
what can have startled you so dreadfully ?
"Oh, Katy! Katy'' sobbed Valentin,
clinging to her friends shoulder with ner-
vous vehemence. stthere is man in your
room-a robber, hiding under your CASH
mere shawl on the sofa. Oh, l am nearly
frightened to death I" =.-.
Katy's serene, brown eyes dilated lit
tle-then frightened into smiling archness
"a robber p she repeated with provokr
ing calmness. ''Nonsense, Valentin, you
are mistaken. It was only Jack. I saw
him 60 in there not half an hour ago. The
idea Of taking our Jack for robber." Ka-
ty's laughter rippled merrily at the mere
fancy.
Only Jack? In the midst of her terror,
the possibility had never once occurred to
Valentin Bruce's mind Only Jack The
: forty thieves themselves would have faded
into nothingness before the mere idea of
Colonel Mordaunt having heard all these
soft pleading and unconscious admissions.
One moment Valentin felt as If every vein
throughout her whole frame were filled with
molten 6re-then she grew white and cold
as a marble statue. Life and strength
seemed ebbing away from her. and for the
first time in her life Valentin Bruce tainted
away.
Katy Mordaunt quietly spriukled scented
water on her paid forehead, and began to
unlace the white muslin dress As she did
SO, faded bunch of flowers fell from Val
entin's bosom, and Katy smiled to herself
rs she recognized the moss buds that had
been SO hau Chilly thrown out on the lawn
that very evening.
"T'll keep them for jack" she said
"Ah. Valentin, you'll be my sister-iu-law
yet"
How shyly the blue eyed damsel stole
into the breakfast room the next morning.
She would checrfully have tasted all day
long sooner than enter into the presence of
! the tall Colonel; but what was the use ?
The dreaded first interview must be got
over sooner or later, SO here she was, with
downcast lasher, and cheeks dyed as deep
pink as the rose.colored wrapper she had on
No more naughty airs and graces-no more
cool composure. She was at Colonel Nor
dsunts mercy, and she knew it. Nov
would he take a cruel advantage Of her
helplessness Or would he
But just there her ccgitations always
stopped.
Hs was standing at the window, looking
out upon the morning sunshine that bathed
the short. velvety grass before the piazza.
But he turned quickly as she entered, with
bright, welcoming smile.
"Valentin," he said gently, "was ]
dreaming last night, or did hear you say
that you loved me! Oh, my darling, tell
me that it was no bassless dream
She came slyly to his arms, and nestled
there like futtering fawn, voiceless, yet
happy. Still he was not contented.
II want to hear it from your own lips
yet again. Valentin. Nay, dearest, don't
shrink away SO pleadingly but answer me
"What shall I say?' she murmured
timidly raising her soft eyes to his face
"Tell me that you love me-"
Sweeter than the fall of musical cascades
through groves of tropic bloom, softer than
the thrill Of nightingales in Persian valleys,
the three charmed words touched Oh bis
ear, and he knew that she was his-hil
forever.
The courtship is drawing to termina
ton now-the white satin dress is finished,
and tho wedding.oake iced to perfection
and the white roses are in bloom that shall
soon be woven into bridal bouquets; bu
Valentin is still extremely sensitive on The
subject Of Cashmere shawls and twilight
condolences. Aud Katy Mordaunt-saucy
little elf that she is-deolares that Mis-
Valentin Bruce took advantage of its being
!eap-year to confde her sentiments to th'
dark.haired lover whom she delighted t
torment
He that will sell his reDutatioD. will als