Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-01-20

surged by. just In front OF the en-
trance to the hotel an elegant barouch'
was in waiting, coachman and footmsr
in olive green livery, and span Of Goa
black horses, in gold-plated harness.im'
patiently paving and chamring, tossing
their beautiful heads, and throwing
flecks Of snowy foam over the gloss,
breasts.
An elderly lady was sitting within
apparently waiting for some one. And
in a second, Miriam Lester, in a fault-
less carriage costume, followed by her
French maid, carrying her parasol end
fan, came through the entrance and en-
tered the carriage.
Among the gentlemen loungers of the
group one watched her eagerly, then
turning to some one at his elbow:
"Who is that magnificent woman
never saw such walk, suck figure In
in my life.
sTake care, Seville, your the twelfth
tenth man that has asked that question
since the divinity arrived last night.
Remember the golden-haired little girl
of last winter, and then don't have eyes
for ANYBODY else"
Gust drop that, Lane AS if because
a fellows promised to the lily he has no
right to enjoy the lose."
"By which I am to understand you
intend to cultivate an acquaintance with
Miss Lester?"
$50 she is Miss Lester, is she the
intimate friend of Mrs. Secretary Els
worth? The Miss Lester I've heard of
l think, before. Why, Lane, a fellow
would be an idiot not to cultivate her,
she's tremendous heiress, and-such a
magnificent creature"
"What deuced lucky thing it is that
Tn on calling terms with Mrs. Els
worth. shant be slow in paying my
devoirs in that direction, mind"
"For Miss Testers especial benefit ?
Well, Rolf it's to be expected she will
succumb, all the women do, it seems, to
you"
eff they will, they will, Lane; aud l
don't see how l can help it. Indeed a
portion of my creed is--take all the
goods the gods glve.'"
And as these two gentlemen saunter-
ed along from the ''Ocean House" to IT, e
"West End" Miss Lester was leaning
back among the olive green cushions OF
Mrs. Elsworth's barouche. as plctur-
esque and queeuly as ever proud, beau
tithl woiiian could be.
"Who was that fine-lookiug gentle
man in white cloth suit, who stood by
the office door as | came out, Mrs. Els
worth ! Did you observs him 2
".ir. Seville. | think. A gentleman
with blonde hair, and long side-whis-
kers, no ,nustache +
The very one. ! thought mich, -
Miriam returned quietly, and nothing
more as said on the subject.
Two days later. Rolf Seville bowed
low over Miriam Testers han,i. III Mrs.
Ellsworth drawing room, with n regis
tered vow in his heart. ...
'Ill win her, by Juve, engagement or
no engagement.
While Miriam, laughing and chatting
with bewitclling loneliness and archness,
thought
snow, my fine fellow, we'll see what
sort of stuff you are made of"
The brilliant season at Long Branch
was passing, day by day, into only a
tender memory Of the past. Many
had gone to their homes.
It had been an eventful summer to
more than one fair girl, who had come
to the crisis of her life beside those
restless waves. Hearts had been bro-
ken; the happiness of many lives as :
sared hopes verified, fears realized !;
while to some, who fingered still, tn e
problem of their fate was still I'M,
solved. Perhaps it was that they were
waiting for at least it was that Rolf
Seville tarried for, so long as Miriam
Lester staid.
They two had become very intimate
during those four weeks of seaside
summering. Mr.. Seville had left no
stone unturned to capture the heiress
and beauty, while Miriam had used
all her powers of fascination for his
benefit And the issue was fast APP
proachlng--just on their heels, as they
sauntered leisurely on the sands one
bright September morning.
81 fear you are sad fellow, Mr. Sci.
vile. Positively, that is the second
letter I've seer you receive this week
addressed in the same pretty hand"
"Merely child's letter, I assure you,
Miss Lester"
"But very charming child, an
told, whom you intend to honor will
your name some dav. Miss Sylyif