Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-11-20
proved to be an error.

proved to be an error. @
Indeed he SO completely exonerated
himself, that he stood higher than ever
when the mistake was proven.
tBut the temporary trouble was
supposed to account for his daughters
illness 3+
"You must have known, hew she
loved and honored hint
Il know that we'll Doubtless sh e
thought l had deserted her in her hour
Of sorrow and humshstion.
;AShe San nsyer forgive mel'' NO Ell
said, sadly DO not let me keep you
from the ball room, Nat. I, wiki sit
here awhile, and then retire. I am not
fit for dancing and flirting tonight.
Ne 4e1ch upon which Noel sslattoa
was seated when his friend left him,
was hidden from any promenadess
upon the balcony by heavy pillar
covered with vines, and still further
concealed by the darkness of the
evening.
He had been there q long time,
with no company but. his own sad,
remorseful thoughts, when the rustling
sweep of silken garments reused him
from painful reverie, and looking up
he saw indistinctly the figures Of two
ladies.
While he was wondering if he could
escape unseen, the voice of one of the
new corners held him quite motionless-
''You see, Aunt Louise" the voice
said, sadly, che avoids me still, and 1
can never tell him his error. Each .day
| resolve to write and explain to him
my innocence, but my pride steps in
and keeps me silent"
''Let me tell him, Honoria., Yet L
agree with you that it is humil;atlng to
explain an error that could never have
occurred had lot Noel Stratton been Of
a suspicious, jealous nssure.'
SIT could never have occurred if l
had not SO often given him cause for
Jealousy. thought it added to his
love, to let him see that others admired
and courted me, never dreaming he
could fancy me utterly false"
''He could never have loved you tru
", dear, OF he could not see you now,
SO changed, in cold, reserved silence.
The very fact that you are still unmar-
ried should have convinced him of
your faithful affection Forget him
Honoria. The past three weeks have
convinced me that be is unworthy of
you"
sit may be so, was the sad answer.
"Iou are cold. How you trem-
ble!"
''No | am not cold"
swat here, aud l will get you a
shawl"
Alone, Honoria Leigh, learning wear
lily against pillar, trying to peer out
into the darkness that wrapped all
aronnd her, was startled by low, deep
voice, calling her name.
''Honoria, it rs Noel S traitor who
speaks the voice continued, ''Noel
Stratton, who only an hon, ago learned
how deeply he had wronged yon. VIII
you speak one word to show him how
he may gain your forgiveness ?"
One word broke in . sob from her
lips
''Ncell"
He was by her side in An instant,
telling her in broken accents Of his
penitence, Of the sorrow and WEAKNESS
of the five long years Of separation,
pleading for pardon as only man can
plead when his lifes happiness is at
stake.
And Honoria, listening with new
hope in heart, had her story. too, to
relate, and her tale of contrition for the
past to plead.
Nat Hughes opened bis eyes verv
wide, and gave a significant title grunt
of wondering approval, when tie cur
tains Of one Of the porch windows
suddenly parted, and Noel Stratton
stepped over the sill with Honoria
Leigh leaning upon his arm.
To the others collected in the crowd
ed ballroom, there was nothing un-
usual in the appearance of two of their
circle promenading slowly, and joining
in the waltz following their appearance
but Nat smiled as he marked the
happy light in his friends eyes, the
proud carriage Of his head, and saw
upon Honoria's fair cheek the faintest
flush of gladness, and in her great,
dark eyes the smile they had not worn
for Eve long years
A JOKE. The Bristol News has
its little joke anent the late Radical
disaster, as follows:
Fatl Lsscl.--A deadly duel WIS
fought on the 4th between Colonel X.
W. Hughes and General James L.
Kemper.
Colonel Hughes fell a, the first fire