Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-11-01

was but man and 1t was nard, curing Tue
long interview that followed between him
and Letita Anterior, to shut his eyes to the
fact of how year had ripened her charms
into an ensemble of such wondrous womanly
loneliness as her sombre costume could in nc
way conceal. Perhaps it was because she
had reminded him of the Florence whom he
bad adored SO passionatcly that he now ad-
mired her with such depth of ill-concealed
admiration.
Their interview, however, was of a
mournful character. He described to Lett
tia the death bed OF bis wife, and told how
peacefully and resignedly her pure spirit bad
passed away Her last words had concern
ed the opal bracelet by which her hetrothal
was sealed
"Promise- me, Victor" she had said,
'that you will guard it sacredly, as men,
DRY of our life together, whatever changes
the years may hereafter bring to you
Promise me no arm save mine shall ever
wear it, whatever new love tine may con-
sole you with. "
And Victor sclempiy promised.
The young widower's visits were quite
frequent at Mrs Wilkinson's house during
a space of fully four months, and the unin-
terrupted interviews between himself and
Latita very frequent likewise.
To Mrs. Wilkinson, nothing seemed more
natural than that such visits and interviews
should take place.
It was almost like the bursting of bomb
shell when Victor Buchanan announced to
her one evening that he had asked for the
hand of her niece, and had received an
affirmative answer
Drawing comment, they were married
about three weeks later, and Le.itia found
herself the sharer of Victor's name and for
tune
It was not until after marriage. perhaps,
that she confessed to herself the real truth
concerning how she had loved Victor at
time when such love seemed capable Of re-
sulting in nothing except misery; nor was
it till then, either, that a full realization of
how perfectly her latent. though intense
ambition had been gratiGed, made itself
clear to her.
Not long after their marriage, Mr.. and
Mrs. Buchanan were installed in superb
residence, and living at rate of expepdi-
ture that, to say the least Of it, harmonized
perfectly with Mr. Buctanan's liberal in
come.
"Recent bereavements in the family as
Letitia euphemistically expressed it, "would
prevent them from entertaining for at least a
year to come; but at the end of that time
they hoped to do so in manner consistent
with their wealth and social standing"
And at the end Of year, Mrs. Buchanan
so far kept her word as to send out cards
for a grand ball. For many days before it
was to happen, this ball formed the subject
of countless on dts, and was universally
propaecied to be the most important similar
affair Of the season..
On the evening when Letitia Buchanan
robed in a dress whose richness of lace and
needle-work seemed wholly indispensable,
swept through the yet vacant, but brilliant
ly.lghted drawing.rooms of her splendid
MANSION pride lent richer color to the
complexion for which many a woman would
have spent thousands, and gave, perhaps,
more voluptuous swell to the superb bust,
whose wilderness cleaned under sparkling
diamonds and rnist-likc point de Venice.
"He loves me thoroughly" she MUIR
INJURED, in low, scarcely audible tones. "He
has forgotten Fiorence's love, as though it
had been the merest insubstantial dream. -
I possess him utterly as my own" Then
her lips were silent for second or two,
growing trids 6rmer as they continued !;
s'and vet, for all that am certain of his
affections entirely, l still mean to test it
never shall rest until receive that one
proof"
She was knocking at the door of her hus-
bands dressing room, presently:
MAY | come in, Victor? You're dread
fully late"
He opened the door, and stood, dressed
10 full evening costume, before her.
IL am lost in admiration, Letitia," be
murmured. "No houri was ever lovelier
than you are now"
"Aud yet, Victor, l. have fancy that my
costume needs one thing to complete it,"
"Wha is that Z"
She held up an arm, faultless enough for
the Greek Phryne of old, saying:
"This needs an ornament OF some kind
Victor"
"Pshaw! you're joking love. You can
count your bracelets by the score"
II know it. But''-her beautiful lips
were very close to his ear now, and those
marvellous arms Of hers were wreathing his
neck-''there is one bracelet, Victor, that
you will not give me. | mean an opal bracelet
which you keep up stairs in that great, old
fashioned cabinet. Shall I tell you why
you will not give me this 2
Il am amazed, Lettia. You know well
that it is BECAUSE
because you loved Florence better in
the old days than you love me now. Don't
deny it. ] know it. Victor"
"She had turned away from, and had
buried her face in her hands.
Victor Buchanan's face was very pale, as
he presently said /:
Surely, Letitia, you have not forgotten
how Florence, on her dying bed
She interrupted him in tremulous tones
at this point, revealing her face again
which looked agltated and pain wrung.-
Criticised as mere skillful acting, her beha
vior certainly deserves praise.
''You have forgotten nothing about Flor
ence You will never forget. Oh, no, Vic
tor; [ cannot believe that you love me as
wish to be loved, until I receive this proc
; of it,
"You mean that I must let you wear the
opal bracelet to might"
eyes"
The monosyllable was pleadingly spoken
as, with childish, impulsive gesture, sh'
placed both hands upon his arm, and let thu
dark glory Of her questioning eyes fall full
/ upon his face