Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-01-05
spoken preference for his conversation, hae
So artfully fattered his self-love.

So artfully fattered his self-love.
Before the evening was over, some eyes
keener than others, had observed what the.
felt to be notable fact-namely, that MIR
Harris and Miss Longwood seemed quit
interested in each other. Would anything
come of it ?
Society laid its finger on its lip, aud whis
pered the announcement, and all were agos
to scan the progress Of events, and calculate
the splendor and cost of the wedding dis
play Really a fine thing, the world said
but had it been able to look into the hearts
it was so coolly judging it would have beer
exceedingly mystifed.
Rupert Harris, as be paced home thai
night, called up the scenes of the past, think
ing within himself:
"Who would ever have supposed she
would make such splendid woman By
Jove the prize is worth striving for. Whal
fool I was ever to give her up"
And SO he walked off, hugging to him
self his evident impression on the heart Of
the woman before whom all bowed.
( She went to her dainty chamber, laid her
rich dress aside, tossed her jewels upon the
| table, and having dismissed her maid, sat
down to think-to bring UP unpleasant me-
mories, and cherish the brooding phantasies
which crowded thick upon her; to muse,
until the toy clock upon the mantel chimed
out the small hours to gaze into the mirror
before her, and see the lineaments of a
face which all told her was very lovely.
! A bitter smile curled her lips, and once
more the glitter came into her cold, steel
blue eyes, while, as she rose at last to seek
her couch, her feelings found utterance in
the words
cat last at last!"
Days and weeks went by, and Rupert
Harris was Miss Longwood's devoted atten-
dant. Many envied him, and several of
those who had reigned bellies until the ad-
vent Of the new planet, and had in vain en-
ployed their daintiest wiles to entangle the
heart Of this unimpressible specimen of man
kind, were suspended between jealousy at
her acknowledged ascendancy over him, and
pique, that all their arts had been powerless
in comparison to the easy conquest Of this
new conner, who seemed so little to value
what she had gained.
These two, SO long divided, walked and
rode. He sat beside her at the opera, and
never left the box at the play But she,
though accepting his attentions as tacitly
and quietly as they were offered, gave no
sign that bis affection was reciprocated, and
he was often puzzled to know what the ex-
act state of her feelings might be, but could
get no clue.
Finally he resolved to seek his fate at her
hands, scarcely thinking rejection posi-
BILE, SO completely had he been blinded BY
her arts
Twas at the gayest ball of the season. -
Rupert and Stephanie mingled with the
dancers and exchanged jest and laughter
with Others of the pleasure seeking throng
Stephanie was dressed with more than
usual care and splendor. Her eyes were
bright as stars, and all the fascination and
brilliancy she possessed were employed to
enhance her beauty.
Admiring g lances watched her every mo-
ton, and many luckless exquisite stroked
bis moustache, and muttered, wrathfully.
'sLucky fellow, by Jove +! to get her
She puts all the others in the shade.
Her admirer finally led her, heated and
fatigued with dancing, to an orange-bower-
ed nook in the conservatory.
Something in her manner giving him en-
couragement, he briefly stated his hopes and
aspirations, and asked if they might be re-
turned,
! With motion like an empress, she turn
ed to him with look, which silenced the
words upon his lips
"Mr. Harris, had you asked me this
question ten years ago, would have an
swered it with my whole heart in my reply;
but now I have no love to give to you; it
died long ago. Henceforth. We are no more
as friends, but as strangers If you should
ask the meaning of my conduct for the past
months, I would reply, with what measure
ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
But no act or look must betray, at present,
what has taken place. Let us be friends
for tonight, but'after that, adieu."
"But, Miss Longwood- Stephanie >
s'Let us 60 back to the ball room,' wal
her answer
II wish to dance"
So these two went back once more
laughed and acted their careless parts, ane
afterward went their ways.
Society started, the world wondered, bu
an explanation could not be found in
STEpHANIE's STORY.