Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-11-25
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CROSS AND GROWN.
9 LOVES 7RANsrosxA7loN...

4Fl"e LOVES TRANSFORMATION 8.
Earnest Courtney, in dressing gown
and slippers, sat thinking shrinking
deeply: Although but eight and twen-
| ty years had passed over him, his face
wore restless, tired look, as though
he had no aim, no interest, in life.-
In short, he seemed to be remark
able handsome gentleman OF fashion
whom wealth, and fattery easily had
spoiled for all the earnest purposes Of
1 existence. He. 80 -ia@t g 4H9e&
By and-by he arose. f.5s IA,
~ have decided" he said, as he ex-
tinguished his light. Il must marry
the heiress, who is coming here to-
m orrow." And with a light laugh,
and curl of his handsome lip, as
though he half scorned himself for his
resolution, he betook himself to his
| slulnbers. ,atGnoo ttnad 'eFas@-
Earnest Courtney was the son Of a
small farmer When mere child he
had been adopted by wealthy uncle
and removed to the city, where he
was taught to consider his uncle's
! wealth as his own, and where every
! wish was gratifed as soon as formed.
No wonder that the manly energy
which distinguished his brothers,. and
! which might have been his under
other circumstances, had been under
mined and almost effaced from his
character. = Ai' ef
| A few years before the opening of
our story, his uncle had tried to force
him into marriage which was in
every way distasteful to him. A quar-
rel ensued, and the nephew.was disin-
herited He would have dobtless
been restored to favor in time, but his
uncle suddenly dying, he was left with
a very small legacy, and very expen
sive tastes, and habits, disappointed
| and aimless. His friends-and he had
many, for he conversed brilliantly, was
| well educated and generous-wereu n
animous in the opinion that if his ans
bitionswas aroused he could do and be
anything he chose. But as yet, when
the most energetic among them tried
to stir him up TO action and to help
him in the way of wealth and eminence,
he only said, cit is too late now !;
have neither the strength nor incli-
nation to build up fortune" throw
ing all the blame of his Incidence upon
his education. So at last they left him
to nurse his white hands and his dis
appointment in peace. 81 EEL.
IDosnot think him effeminate or ut
tegly worthless. Remember, he had
been taught to consider himself the
heir to certain vast wealth and to look
upon all labor, whether Of hand Or
brain, as unnecessary; had been fiat
tered and petted. and, as l have SAID,
apparently utterly spoiled for any other
condition in life. .o,s@f =. CO.,.
No. although not possessed Of an
income to enable him to make what he
considered a respectable appearance
in society, yet he never ceased to be
a favorite with the ladies' of the highs
est circles for his chivaIry and ten
derness. his deep admiration for the
other sex, as well as his handsome per
son and pleasing manner, were irresis
tible; SO far, however, he seemed to
shrink from matrimony, although he
knew that many hearts as well Jas for
| tunes might be his for the asking. 80
Thus he had lived for two years, in
wardly dispising himself for being
content with poverty, yet having no
ambition TO improve his condition,
when, finding his, debts slowly but
surely accommodating, he had come
down to pleasant seaside resort where
he resolved to choose between marry
ing money or selecting some method
of earning it. He had been here but
| few days, when, as fate had decided
for him, lie heard from his host that
an immensely wealthy and very hand
some young, orphan had written to
engage rooms in the very hotel where
he was stopping. His final resolution
has already been told sdt 'iisigT
A group Of gentlemen, among whom
was Earnest Courtney, were smoking
on the ,yeranda as the carriage drove
up, and from it aligljted a lady in the
most stylish Of travelling costumes,
followed by slender figure also taste
fully but moro quietly arrayed. Ernest
glanced up eagerly as the first ascen-
ded the steps, and caught . glimpse Of
a pair of brilliant dark eyes, ~ rich
complexion, altogether . handsome
face, and resolved to WOO and win her
if possible. 81, 81 ta fae 1aN ri
That evening there was hop at the
J nolel' The newly arrived had not