Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-11-20
SELECT READING.
THE I dIsrAKE.
81. K. T. z.

BI. K. Y.z. @e
s'Tell me the name of the lady VIII G
was your last pa rtnsr," Noel Stratton
said to his friend, Nat Hughes, as the
two .sauytered from the crowded ball
room to the cool piazza.
SIS it possible you have been< three
weeks here and do not know Honoria
Leigh!" cried his companion.
"Honoria Leigh l have heard Of
her."
"Heard of her I should think 80.
"There is not belle here who can
compare with her.
''That odd, statuesque beauty is Sc
rare.
"Did you notice!-not all the dane
ing: nor the heat Of that crowded room
could bring the faintest flush to her
cheek.
"She is always pale and quiet but
there is not rosy-cheeked, laughing
damsel here who breaks more hearts
than II ontria Leigh, with her stately
figure and impassiye face.
"Her eyes are wonderful!
"Will you int oduee me, Matt Not
to night" he added, hastily, as his
friend turned to wards the ballroom;
Tomorrow. DO not care to return
to the ball again Tomorrow morning
if there is an opportunity, will YOU
present me to the lady?"
"Willingly. Guard your heart"
'sShe is firt, then?'
"No. That il the queerest part OF
it She scenes absolutely Indifferent
to admiration or attention, resorts to
no artifce to gain either the one or the
other, and gives no man the right to
feel that he is houored above all others;
yet this very cool contempt Of their
pretensions seems to stimulate the male
portion Of society till they are fairly
piqued into devoted attentions"
The devoted man who hovers near
her so much-Graham, l think I have
heard him calied-is he not the favored
one!"
Mark Graham ,! Why, he is her uncle.
Noel Stratton crushed the delicate
kid glove he held in his hand into a
shapeless ball, a he said, in a hoarse
low tone
"Her uncle Mark Graham Honoria'E
uncle!"
"Why, Noel, what ails you, Mar
alive, are you going to faint?'
'No, no. 1t is nothing; passing
spasm. Do not mind me-
But even as be spoke the strong mar
received across the porch to a bench
and sank down, as if struck by a sud
den blow.
81 will tell you, Nat" he said, after 3
moment of sile1 ice, Sin an instant"
ssTell me WHAT asked his wandering
friend. You are i'll, Noel"
"No, am not i'll. 1t is deserted here
Nat. Too early yet for promenaders
Sit down, and | will tell you wha
makes your wo rds a revelation to me
You remember five years ago, when
spent winter in the capacity of escor
in chief to Aunt Edith"
1.-THE aunt W no who left you h>1
70 tune?"
THE same, though death seemed ia
enough from her then.
sShe was one Of the most devoted
votaries to fashion, and our winter wa
constant rour ID of receptions, bali )
and gaieties Of all sorts.
zone of Aunt 7.cith's especial pet
was Honoria Leigh.
"You would scarcely think, Nat
looking at her 20 might, that in thos
days she was one of the most animated
and brilliant Of bellies.
:F'ive years ago her cheeks wer
round and blooming "a a child's; tn
icy manner you mention did not exis
then, but every word and movemen
were full of animation.
"She was wonderfully beautiful, bu
society gave h er that most hateful O
all names for woman to bear--that Q
firt.
Il met her, forewarned that sh
made play things of hearts, and wo
love only to throw it aside.
sRut, as said, Aunt Edith mad
her a special favorite. and in th
privacy of our own home circle | foun
her SO frank, noble, ard winning, tina
gradually l forgot thu raputati.u ali