Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-06-23

the miry roads with heavy hoofs. There
was not much to occupy a mains Thoughts
in the dreary little parlor. A great va
riety of whips hung against the wall, ano
over the mantel-piece was the photograph
of fiue chestnut mare. Under it was
written, "Being Mr.. Hunters favorite
mare, who died in her 18th year." A short
way on was photograph of Mrs. Hunter
in full holiday costume. A large Bible and
photograph album lay upon the table.
Seton mechanically opened the album
Here was tinted photograph of a young
girl with profuse gold ringlets, a large,
round face and meaningless blue eyes. I'm
der it was written, presented to Miss
Hunter by her affectionate friend, Isabella
Grant," Poor Isabella How many hon
est country hearts, I wonder, had she
caused to ache while the hair was gold and
the buxom figure still shapely!
For want of something better to do. Sc
ton began to write letter; but he made
slow way with it, For minutes together
he sat holding the pen listlessly in his hand
leaning his arm YEARLY upon the table lis
tening, as we all listen when alone, to what
sounds may be going on near us, from a
feeling which is not curiosity, but more
overpowering.
Suddenly what must have been a very
light vehicle dashed swiftly down the road
and drew up with great precision at the
door of the house, while the voice OF, new
conner became audible. Seton, however,
could only catch few disconnected words
such as "caught in the rain delicate
shelter-a closed carriage"
Then the door opened, the landlord pre-
sented himself upon the threshold and said
in very pointed manner. eff you please,
sir, young lady driving over to Coving-
ton in a light, open carriage has been
caught in the rain, and her servant wants
to know if can give her sitting room
while he drives back for a closed carri-
age"
.1.And this is the only one you have % re.
joined Seton. ooh, ask her in by all means.
However, 1 am sorry the room smells so of
smoke" he added, knocking the ashes
from his pipe.
''Don't you mention it; sir, and thank
you very much,'' replied the landlord, re-
firing.
In another moment the door opened
again, and the unexpected intruder entered
"a lady, tall and very graceful, having a
yale, Madonna-like face, and gold hair,
shining like an aureole round small, clas-
steal head. Seton's face had grown white
to The lips, and his voice quivered percep-
tibIy, as extending his hand, he said:
s'I,his is very unexpected meeting.'''
every unexpected" echoed the lady, re-
moving her wet mantle, and sitting down
on the worn leather sofa. The recogni-
tiou had been mutual, but women, as a
rule, are more self-composed than men.
ssLet me recommend this chair" said
Seton, laying his hand upon the one from
which he had just risen.
ssNo, thank you; [ prefer sitting away
from the fire."
81 am sorry the room should smell so OF
tobacco" observed Seton, after a pause
ssbut you see did not expect the pleasure
of visitor.''
She smiled rather forcedly by way of an
swer, and Seton folded deliberately and put
into an envelope a sheet Of blank paper.
1.-THE country is very beautiful around
here,'' he observed, writing his own name
with great care upon the envelope.
eve have only been back from Europe
about six weeks" she observed after a
pause. "Mamma has taken house near
g.. was driving over to Covington
this morning, and was caught in the rain
and was induced to ask for shelter here.9'
sYour mother well?''..
''Mamma is quite well, thank you"
Then, after a pause, IN full, sweet, con-
tralto voice, which had ring of infinite
pathos, ''Are you stopping here %
'sHardly,'' said Seton, with an assump-
ton of gayety in his tone; "but III tell
you about it. My friends kindly took it
into their heads that was sticking too
close to work-that wanted fresh air and
exercise-so they bound me oyer, On my
word of honor, to walk from c. to this
place daily. acquiesce in everything now
so of course acquiesced in this, and this
is my first day Of hard labor and imprison-
ment."
'sBut you used" began the lady then
she. colored little, and seemed unwilling
to finish her sentence; 'you used to be so
fond of walking"
''But man changes good deal in three
years." he replied YEARLY.
Then came a long silence, broken at last
by the pop of an ale cork, at which they
started as if an explosion had taken place.
ooh! you grow used to it in time" OBJ
served Seton.
1t seemed impossible to imagine these
two persons, more formal to each other in
manner than the most distant acquaint-
ances, could ever have been passionate and
devoted lovers. What thought had they
I wonder. as they sat together and yet SC
far apart, Of the old days wherein love led
them, and all was we'll? 1t would weary
you, dear reader, and to no purpose, were
L 10 STU GOWN u6Io IHe uIedly CoLal+oH-
place with which these two tried to beguile
the time for even an hour. At length
worn out by the arduous effort of trying to
entertain each other while their thoughts
were SO far away, they took refuge in 81
lence, and the wind roared, and the rain
dashed the window, and dusk came on pre-.
maturely, and Seton, looking out in the
cherries prospect, shivered as with the
cold. Then that other person in the room
rose very quietly and stirred the fire into a
blaze, and resumed her seat on the sofa.
"No, you shouldn't, really" said Seton
not turning round, however, though with
look of great pain upon his face. 1t is
wonderful what suffering some small, COM
mon-place word or action may cause us.