Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-12-02
LE0NIE.
"Miss Cameron"

| Leone Cameron laZlly looking OUT o
a bowrwindow upon a garden flaming
with autumn tints and sunset glow
lifted pair of soft dark eyes to Mrs
Tollmans face.
"What is the matter"
AN awkward pause followed that
question.
Mrs. Tollman 6dgeted under the in
curing glance of the dark eyes, cleared
her throat twice, and finally said, with
nervous emphasis
"John Furber!"
Miss Cameron's face seemed to freeze
It was very beautiful face, with pride
for leading expression.
"There,' Mrs Tollman said, despair
ingly, "Ive made you mad already, and
haven't said anything"
Il am not mad" Leonie answered,
and there certainly lurked smile in
her mouth at the good womans con-
sterna:ion "but you have not told me
what troubles you"
"It's-it's-John, Miss Cameron, and
| he's my nephew, miss, as you know,
though his father is rich man, very
rich; and John is above his mothers
place in her life. She's dead, and John
was spoiled somewhere between the
year she died and two years ago. l
don't know where, but he took to bad
ways. He was brought up an ldler
upon his fathers money, and from idle
ness to drinking and gambling and bad
ways is an easy road. His father is a
hard man and he thrust him out near a
year ago. Disinherited him. lie came
here, for ! love him. l have nothing
else to love-husband and children in
the graveyard, SO l love john"
There was piteous pleading in the
woman's face, but Leonies was blank,
save for an air of polite interest.
ale was most desperate when he
came here. but I've coaxed him UP a
little. But-but-O, Miss Cameron,
you know what want to say. I've no
right to find fault, but-but-don't fiin
| with John. He is in trouble, despond'
ent, disinherited, and he Is falling in
love with you as fast as he can. l be-
lieve if you play with him he will kill
himself, body and soul"
eff | understand you Alright, you
wish me to ignore your nephew: 1t is
not so easy, as he is in your house, so |
had better leave 1t. ;"
"Goodness !" cried the widow, aghast
at this Interpretation of her words, 81
never meant that Where can you
find another boarding place near here :"
Il can return to London"
"I've put my foot in it. John will
never forgive ME" said Mrs. Tollman,
disconsolately.
But there was no sympathy III
Leonies face, and she turned away at
last, perplexed and more anxious than
ever And Leonie, sinking back into
her chair again, looked at the sunset
clouds and variegated foliage, and
thought perhaps it was time to return
to London.
She had come to s., weary with
round of fashionable life. tired of
fattery, dancing and flirting, and she
onnd rest and quiet under Mrs Toll
| mans motherly care. She was rich'
richer far than the landlady had any
| idea of; but she had no near relative
only second cousin to keep her lonely
home, and play propriety.
Society constituted itself her amateur
guardian, and lying back in her cushs
Toned chair, in the sunset glow, she
wondered indolent,y what society
would say about John Furbur.
Then, from thinking of society e
opinion, she unconsclously glided into
considering her own. The dark .browed
man had made fair portion of her
summer pleasure fer three months; had
been her cavalier in many country
walks, drives and sails had quoted
poetry under trees, sang in a superb
baritone upon murmuring waters, look
ed into her eyes on a moonlit porch
and whispered delicately>worded fiat
terry.
Finally, lifting her eyes with a soft
sigh, she saw HIM leaning against a
t zee opposite the low window. looking
a, her. A vivid flush stained her
cheek as he said:
.What can you have been thinking
Of? You have not stirred for half an
hour Only that yonr eyes we're open,
l should have thought . GU asleep