Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-07-24

: across her face, with pale. line-like lips
, without expression. close and hard, an(
long, sharp white teeth. She rarely
| smiles, is slow, quiet, and cat-like, III hel
movement, that is, graceful, but treach
erous. Her hands are long, slender, and
white. She is without color. and her f1esl
is slightly damp and cool to the touch, hel
voice is low and cold, with calm and I'm
responsive manner that piques you into
curiosity to rouse and find out the seeming
mystery. When a man meets this kind OF
woman, let him beware for she is tiend
incarnate Now, cousin Philip, so much
for my powers of divination, am l right OF
wrong 2"
He looked down into her face, as she
stood at his side with curious mixture
of belief, awe and doubt, in his counte-
nance cit is so true,' said he, 'eyery
word Of it, hardly believe you are not de-
ceiving me when you say you have never
I seen her, and know nothing of what you
have told me.
II have surely told you true though, and
to prove it | will give you warning,
which you won't heed now, but will when
it is too late and time has verified it, it is
this --
Beware of that woman who ever she is,
she will come between you and every 9th
Ell love you may have. There are three
women in the world good and true, whom
YOU can win and wear and who will crown
your life with the fulness of content and
true happiness. Take care she don't make
second and more serious havoc OF your
| faith in woman, for it [ know woman at
, all, sh. will-not for love, but revenge
You think not now, and smile at my
warning, but be ON your guard, for you
are not convinced Of her falsity. Your
heart hurt and sore, long age as it is past,
vet excuses her when your judgment con-
dennis. Oh! how strange you men are
to throw your hearts like Raleigh's mantle
! into the murky pool to be trodden into
the mire by women not worth your thoughts
much less your love, when there are hearts
like diamonds, pure and indebted, passed
over as so much worthless glass why
pass your life without al object, as you
do Why not seek the companionship and
love Of d woman worthy to be your mate !!
Why not try to win my friend Lillian !!
she has a nature like refined gold, is every
way your equal, and a sWeeter, a better OF
lovlier woman never lived, nor one more
calculated to make you happy: Forget
the past cousin Phil, and be happy III the
future, is my advice to you.
''Advice, my cousin, | mean to take
and shall surely let you know of my pro
gress and success"
The pleasant days of Phillips visit clos
ed with regret to them all, and it was with
heartfelt pleasure Alice had noticed the
deepening intimacy of her two friends, and
ardently wished for happy termination to
| her desires for the two SO affectiOnately
loved Months. nay, more than year
passed and again Philip and Alice met not
as before in the balmy summer days, or
the pleasant comforts and cheerful well
come of Alice's mountain home for the
hand Of misfortune had been heavy on her
defenseless head, and the fire-kings greedy
flames had reduced to ashes the happy, hos
pitable, home. She was q stranger in
strange land, earning her daily breatNrom
the grudging hands of those who would
withhold even the pittance paid for just
services rendered; her heart was heavy
and troubled, as she sat before the parlor
fire in tile dusk of a chill, stormy, autumn
evening, communing with sad thoughts
and bitter reflections. A ring at the door
passed unnoticed. and she was startled by
the sudden opening of the door and the
cheerful greeting of a cordial voice with
tle words ''Well little cousin, here [ am
at last and how are you 20 Alice sprang
up in glad surprise and kissed in affection
ate welcome the brown, manly face OF
Philip Westbridge as he stopped, his tall
figure to receive and return her greeting.
ooh, cousin Philip, [ am so glao to see
you, for was really getting dolefull, this
dull evening. What a pleasant surprise
your coming is, and how well you are
looking Now, you will stay to tea and we
will have long talk Of things, as we
womeA say" and she busieo herself for his
pleasure and comfort in drawing up a
large luxurious chair, and stirring up the
already brightly burning fire. Pushing a
| low chair near his, she sat down and look
ed up at him, as he said, in concerned
tones.
"Why, Alice, have you been sick? for
you are really a little woman now, you
have grown 50 much thinner since [ saw
YOU last,'' and the kind eyes looked anx-
iously at the pale face gazing at him with
such sad, wistful eyes.
Eyes, I have been i'll, Oh rather was very
i'll last Spring, but my health is better
now, tho l am not strong, and as my old
nurse used to say CTS seen trouble, and a
heap of trouble, child, and | feels it, y and
in the pleasure Of his familiar presence the
lips smiled with their old brightness.
lit really seems like old times to see
YOU, and | have so much to ask you that L
don't know where to begin. All cousin
mine, have heard Of some OF your do
ings, so you may as we'll make clean
breast of it all and begin at the beginning
as children say about stories.''
He laughed little uneasily, and dark
shadow crept over his face as he asked,
"What have you heard 20
ooh, many things, " she replied ''your
devotion to the fair sex to begin with, and
one OF two flirtations, something too. L
can't find out what, of a breach between
you and my old friend Lillian, and last but
not least that-so they say-you are really
going to be married to-Delilah-after
all This last, don't believe, for she will
never marry YOU. if you live to the age OF