Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-10-24

were handsome and becoming they avoi led
the dandyism of extreme fashion.
aE But it must be admitted the stranger was
decidedly shy. Thrown suddenly into sea
of beauty and Fl shion, finding himself tow
ering above the heads of the entire COMPANY
and all eyes turned upon him, no felt his
face crimsoning with confusion !; bis hands
and feet seemed to swell to twice their usual
size, and he would have given all he pos
sessed far good excuse to run away.
The introduction to his aunt and cousins
did moi mend the matter They but thinly
disguised their reluctance to welcome him ,
and after the merest civilities of greeting,
left him to himself. Mr.. Montague was
surround by old friends in a moment, and
supposing his family would entertain his
nephew had also deserted him.
Charles stood at one end of the large room
looking down the long line of handsomely
dressed guests movi ng gracefully to one Of
the most inspirising waltzes OF the band,
feeling interested and amused, yet hurt at
his chilling reception, When low, sweet
voice spoke his name, and he started and
looked round, to see Clara Vests beautiful
face beside him.
You and I are both strangers here, she
said, with wish to put him at his ease,
and if possible to make some amends for the
rudeness Of her aunt and cousins, "and l
imagined you felt lonesome as well as my.
/ self" PA s3 yHh
Scarcely lonesome, he answered, smiA.
ing, "but very much out of place. Our
Minnesota balls have more Of the social ele-
ment, imagine, Miss West or perhaps it
is because l know every face in the room
there
"Do you live at Minneapolis 2
No. We are country folks compared to
the people of Minneapolis or St Paul. My
home is large farm house, nearly half a
mile from any other habitation, and four
miles from the nearest village. But We
cheerfully drive four miles for merry
making
Questions skillfully put soon reused the
young farmers pride in his Western home,
and he gave eloquent descriptions of the
scenery, the hunting, the bitter winters,
when the snow lay piled upon the ground,
in an atmosphere SO clear and dry that ons
could walk miles 10 moccasins and not feel
any moisture under foot. He told his lis
tener of the hunting expeditions the young
men Joined in, and Clara found her own
pulses quiokening as he described some of
the wild scenes and hair.breadth escapes of
his adventurous life suddenly he pulled
himself up, with q short laugh;
II am wearying you" he said.
mo, you are not, she answered, truly
''you must tell me more another time"
Might I venture to ask you to waltz 2
he said II cannot see any Inference in
this step and ours"
hand upon his shoulder, and with graceful
movement be led her to the floor She was
surprised to find the tall, grand figure could
move as easily as Walters own, while the
strong arm held her firmly yet dellcately,
giving her perfect support, while allowing
her graceful freedom Of motion
m"How beautifully you waltz r she said,
as the music ceased.
There was a German dancing master i'll
Chicago when we spent winter there some
five years ago, and I took lessons of him
We are not quite savages in Minnesota,
Miss West, for most of US remember homes
further east"
II never supposed you were" she re-
piled.
Il think my cousins imagine | would
scalp them upon small provocation. They
looked absolutely Mortified at the sight of
me-"
II see many bright eyes looking this way
that have no horror whatever IN them,
said Clara pleasantly. "Let me introduce
you to some Of my new friends"
For a week the young heiress found her
self sell-appoin ted companion of the young
Western cousin, whose position in the house
was far from pleasant. Mr. Montague, alb
sorbed in business, left his nephew to the
mercies far from tender, Of the family, and
the family voted him an intruder.
Walter was Jealous Of him, Mrs. Monta-
que heartily wished him back in Minnesota,
and the girls voted him stupid He could
not talk small talk. could not interest HIM
self, as Walter did, in fashions, operas and
parties, and they could not follow him into
the regions Of literature, or sympathize with
|
But Clara aiming only at good uatured
endeavor to put the stranger more at ease.
found herss Ii repaid by companionship far
more congenial than any she had before
found at c. The young farmer had
been student ia u W estern college, and
had d love Of reading equalled by keen
appreciation Of the best literature OF the day.
Loving deeper studies, he could enjoy also
the beauties of poetry and fiction, and meet
Clara 10 many an animated discussion Of her
favorite authors.
He was fond Of music too, and Clara soon
dropped the waltzes and polkas she at first
thought suited to his comprehension, to give
him rare musical treats in her exquisite reB
dering of Mendelssohn and Beethoven. =
Coming in from walking one morning, when
her cousins went out, Clara heard the grand
piano swept by master hand to glorious
march quite new to her. She entered the
drawing room softly, and took seat unpre-
ceived in far corner, from which book she
watched Charles Easton, as he took one
after another, the sheets of music from her
portfolio, and played the airs with grand
touch that invested them With new power
and beauty 1t was like trumpet blast
after the flute, to hear his rendition after her
, own.
Then he played other new music from his
own memory, till suddenly rising he turned
to face his audience. In moment lie Grim
: soned as if detected in theft.
3 "How long did you propose to listen to
/ me without doing your share p Clara ask