Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-12-17

meaning. Again and again she wished
herself far away. and only remained,
hoping to meet Mrs Carlton.
After the ceremonies had concluded,
just as she had determined to leave the
grounds and goAcross the fields to her
own home, apparently by accident she
happened to meet Tom Brown.
The stage driver, who had never
spoke to Fanny, touched his hst-a re-
markable exhibition Of politeness for
him-and said.
Il beg pardon, Miss; TIN plain mar,
and can't say what | want to, bat if you
shoafd need anybody to speak = word
for, or to take your part, Tom Brown
knows how to do it.
Fanny co,nprehended the blunt Gin
cerety Of the man, and, she thanked
him, the tears which had been all day
in her eyes dropped upon her cheeks.
| From that moment Tom was her
| slave. He followed her at respectful
and unobserved distance; for her sake he
would have charged and routed the
whole camp. Many hight born lady
has had a less faithful and puissan,
knight.
This incident served to lift the load
from Fanny's heart. She wandered
down by the tiny lake, and for the mo
ment was happy. Near at hand sever
al children were at play, their parents
and the elder ones being elsewhere oc-
cupied. Sha heard a splash, scream
and saw little Benny struggling in the
water. Springing forward with rare
| presence of mind, she leaped upon 9
rock, seized the child As he was sinking
and brought him to the shore, pacifed
! him, and taking him by the hand, led
| him forward to find his mother. At a
distance was a group of ladies', and a.
mong their Mrs. Smith. As Fanny app
preached the circle she encountered the
frigid stare Of Mrs Smith, who said
with metallic voice-all eyes being rivi.
ted upon the two-"Benny, come to tue,
| do not wish you to associate with
thieves and mulderers:"
Not far away, with his hat over his
face, stood the stage driver, as if waits
ing the word Of command; bat nearer
at hand stood another knight, Harry
Carlton, who, with his mother, had just
arrived upon the grounds, and had been
near enough to overhear the words.
Stepping forward, he said to Fanny,
who stood pale and trembling:
"Do not stay here to be insulted by
these people. My mother would like
to speak with you.
And taking her upon his arm he es
colted her to the tent which had been
prepared for them.
One standing near at hand would have
heard words of explanation, interrupted
by broken sobs on the part Of Fanny,
with kind and gentle soothings by Mrs
Carlton; would have seen Harry start
| up with an unorthofdox word on the
end of his tongue, saying he would find
out What all this meant, and after q
short absence, would have seen him le-
turning, his hands clenohed and his big,
burly frame bris,ling all over with in
dignation; would have heard animated
conversation far moment in the tent;
followed by subdued laughter.
| Shortly thereafter the family carriage
was ordered, and Harry and Mrs. Carl
ton, accompanied by Fanny, left the
grounds. '" - ,i5'a-s ..H #:
The month of vacation was nearly
ended. Fanny had disappeared; the
Carlton mansion was closed. and occu
pied only BY servants. Harry and hit
mother were, some said, in the city
some said at the seaside.
| Upon the last day of the school vaca
| ton, after the arrival of the mail. an un
wonted something seemed to ruffle the
surface Of affairs in the quiet town. Gu
riosity was upon tip-toe, and wondei
was looking out Of open eyes into ope,
eyes.
Mine plethoric host of the Inn, dressed
! rs was his wont of summer afternoons
in shirt, pantaloons and slippers, from
his seat on the table wiped the perspi
ration from hi. rubicund face, and read
70 his quartet OF Thirsty satellites, from
the Yerba Buena Tribune. as follows.
"Married, at Grace Church, in this
city, by the Rev. DR.. Peters, Harry
Carlton to Miss Fanny Howard, daugh.
ter of Major VIM. Howard, formerly OF
the United States army, now warden at
the State prison at NJ"
''Thc gals Carlton anyhow" said
Uncle Billy, complacentlA while Tony
glanced wistfully at the row of ocean.
ters, and Wondered ifthe occasion would
not suggest an invitation to imbibe.
A new sclloolmistress has been en-.
gagged at Carlton, and in some mistcri-
GUS way Tom Brown has become sole
proprietor of the stage line.
At the last stated inquest, Mrs. S.
was heard to say, cohsolingly, to Mrs.