Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-01-24

Tom | do no, carry my heart in my fac
for the world to read"
sBut it is there. You have had man.
offers of marriage. Stella; has your hear
been touched by none of them 2"
"Not one"
But she fahered little, and the snow.
lids and long sweeping lashes vailed he
eyes.
.'Yet you are beautiful, and some 0
them may have been prompted by love.
''Yet l am bameless," she said q
have given no encouragement to any,
1..No! I have heard it said you were TOT
proud and cold to firt.'
''Upcle Tom, what are you trying to tel
me ? Twice you have called me cold ane
proud. l have never been SO to you. "
Never !" be answered emphatically
THAT is why I have come to tell you sac
story"
"a sad story?' she said wonderiDgly
"a story of hopeless love, blighted am
bition, heart wrecked, and life wasted
1t is nearly month since I began to read
the story. and must close the book soon,
for it must end in joy or sorrow very quick
ly One Of my patients. dear. is little
crippled Irish boy, whose mother lets out
rooms in one of the poorest tenement houses
in the great city. A month ago. she asked
me to pay visit to lodger Of hers who
is lying low in delirious fever, telling me
she believed be bad starved and worked
himself sick. It was poor, mean room in-
to which she led me. and on the low cot bed
found a man tossing in fever who raved
of his art and fair face as star out of his
reach, but worshipped."
Stella listened with a still, white face,
and her eyes fixed CD the floor.
"He was very low, Stella. his system ex-
hausted with privations and exposure; but
he was young, and | hoped for the best |
had room prepared for him upon lower
floor. and sent him nurse could trust
Every care, every comfort was provided, .
confined Uncle Tom, apparently not MOTTO
ing tear that fell upon his hand, or the
trembling kiss that removed it, tbur for
days the delirium ragged 6ercely. Ever on
one theme. the fair, cold star so far above
him, the worshippiug love he dared not re-
veal. Sometimes be would plead pitifully
to die. knowing his love so hopeless ; some
times be urged his pride to come and aid
him. He was poor, Stella his star was
rien, and he could never tell Der of his wor.
ship. There came day when the fever
left him, and his mind was once more ration.
al. He was very weak. but he knew me,
and trusted me friend in his utter want
and illness. Slowly, step by step. he came
bsck from the brink Of the grave, till he eau
walk once more, and may entirely recover.
But, and here the doctor fixed his keen eyes
upon Stella $ downcast face, 1.-THE hopeless
love holds him down, depressed and broken
His art was his goddess; but now be looks
mourneully upon bis canvass, and drops the
brush from his nervelsss 6ugers. When
such a man as Wayne Esterhazy loves,
Stella. it is for life Nothing but hope can
save him now; nothing but death can end
his love "
"Does be know you are here 81 Stella
whispered
mo. It is only to NE you will tell your
secret, if you have one. "Yet, if you can
gladden. bis heart, rouse him from bis life
destroying apathy. l tell you. Stella, it
will be noble, maidenly act. He will
never WOO the beiress unless he knows he
has won the woman's heart"
GO to him then, and tell him it has been
bis own for MONTHS she answered frankly
and bravely. Il trust it all to you. Uncle
Tom. Only" and here the tears would
have their way, "save him. Do not let
him die"
The doctor bent over the dropping head
to say, in low, tender voice:
II never loved and honored you, Stella,
as I love and honor you this day
There was moment Of deep silence be-
tore Stella spoke again.
'.Uncle," she said, rising and opening
her desk, ''there are orders here for por-
traits that have waited for Mr. Esterhazy
since mine was finished Mrs. Cosmer
wants one of herself and her sister. Mrs.
Willoughby wants her daughters Capt
Blake, bis wife's. And there are still more
promised told them all mine was to be
FIVE hundred dollars. and they expect to pay
the same. VIII you settle for mine, aud
take charge of these notes ?"
"Gladly I shall bring you good news
The calling sting of poverty has helped to
keep my patient down, but now, with these
introdrctioDs, he may hope to win name
and wealth. Give me message, Stella"
"Tell him to hasten ard get well, for my
sake she answered, blushipg deeply, and
then fairly running away from her uncle's
merry eyes.
December was over. and Miss Reynolds
drawing-rooms were thrown open for a New
Years reception By her uncle's request,
the lovely portrait of the young hostess
graced the walls of the drawiDg.room. and
the fair. proud face was much admired.
The young girl, With Mrs Oosmer beside
her. had welcomed many guests, and a
group of lady friends had shared her con-
CALCULATIONS, but her eyes sought the door
often. as if watching for some face not yet
welcomed
She was very beautiful 10 her rich dress,
with dead GOLD ornaments, but many no.
ticed the warm flush upon her cheek, and
the tender light in her eyes. usually so cold.
Mrs. Cosmer had commented upon the gen
tie grace and courtesy of the manner that
was wont to be so proud, but none had yet
guessed the secret of the change
Suddenly the fair face grew radiant, and
some few said:
Miss Reynolds uncle is coming. How
glad she is to see him p
Glad All, none could guess the gladness;
for leaning upon the doctors arm was tall
figure. handsomely attired, but still weak !;
and Stella's eyes grew dim to see how white
and wasted yet was the face she loved. But
in the love lighted eyes that met her own,
sorrow and doubt we're destroyed for ever
more, and she knew the love that was to her