Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-11-25

kappeaFedeat dinner, but in the course
1 of the eievenihg Earnest, who had,
fbeen watching for, her, saw the beauty
in large recess, already surrounded
by admirers, and talking with anima>
! ton. He. sought an introduction and
was received as graoiously as heart
fcould wish She began a pleasant
chat with him, and Ernest congratu
fleted himself that he was making a
favorable impression. Presently she
turned to allady who stood at little
distance and called asAlieer' softly.
The lady turned, and the 'dark-eyed
Miss Ingersol presented her, as "My
cousin, Miss Haywood. ssaEs5is-
And Ernest bowed but his delight
ed eyes rested upon the sweetest face
he thought he bad ever seen. A pair
Of large, deep, half mournful blue eyes
looked at him from beneath their
white, dropping lids. fringed with
long brown lashes. 1t WAS indeed q
beautiful face. glori6ed by the won-
drous eyes and shiny waves of dark
brown hair above the pale, pure fore
head. The slender form was clad in
some white, gossamer fabric, and her
only ornaments were pale blue violets
at the white throat, and fastened above
the brow withia tiny silver star. Ern>
est Courtney looked one moment, and
the next surrendered his heart wholly.
He was in love for the first time.
| I cannot tell you of the struggle in
his mind that night, and indeed, for
many weeks it continued. If he mar
ried Miss Ingersol-and she plainly
showed him that his company was
very agreeable to her-he would gain
at once wealth, ease; and beautiful
wife, without an effort Yet when
the sweet, pale face of her cousin
| Alice came up before him; he felt that
he could never take another to his
heart, although to possess her was im-
possible hes could not drag her down
to miserable poverty, even if she were
willing. Never had he SO regretted
| his idle youth; never SO wished for
the wealth that should have been
his cniyA'jFrg q so4sT 81 ~
So the weeks flew by, and Ernest
Courtney fingered like G moth about
the flame, came to love the sweet, quiet
Alice with an intensity of which he
had never dreamed himself capable.
At first he struggled against it, and
sought much the company of Miss
Ingsrsol and others but when engaged
| in the most brilliant conversation, or
entertained by the sprightliest wit, he
could not keep his glance from follow
ing her every motion; and when at
last he saw that the lovely eyes would
droop. and the pale cheek flush, as be
approached, there came a noble purs
pose into his soul which added new
brightness to his face, new hope to
his heart, which aroused and regener-
ated and made him a man.
He would work for her. lie would
| win wealth and honor for her. He
had formed no plans, but what it was
possible for man to do for the hope of
calling Alice Haywood his own. His
resolution was fixed.
Walking on the star-lit beach, he
told her his story. He asked for no
assurances-bound her by no promise
but simply told her Of his love, and
how it had aroused him from indolent
apathy, and of his resolve to become a
worker for her sake. He told her, q
little falteriDgiy, that were she free
when his purpose was accomplished.
he would seek her as the only woman
he ever loved or ever could love then
he held out his. hand in farewell, for
the next morning they would all de~
part in different directions for their
homes. She laid her trembling hand
in his, and raised her lovely fearful
eyes to his, aud, seeing how hard it
was for him to leave her thus, and how
firmly he held his emotions in check
lest he might wrong her by a single
word, she slowly, half fearfully raised
her sweet lips for kiss. One mo-
ment he clasped her close to his throb-
bling heart, and he was gone.
lea@ 81. 10 .oqsl~e ~s
Five years after. The city of N
had gathered to hear one of the most
popular orators of the day. The hall
was packed to its utmost capacity, for
not only was the speaker noted for his
eloquence, but he was also the author
of a series Of papers bearing, upon a
political controversy then raging, which
had at once placed him among the
ablest youthful logiciaps in the land.
A hush fell upon the audience ae the
lecturer entered. and with graceful.
manly dignity assembled tho rostrum /,
aud Az he turned his handsome intel
leotual face toward the people, many
recognized in him the once indolent
Ernest Courtney, n a
The orator sent bis piercing eye over
%ha Gao IF facaa !. ssvhou nuddonlv 10