Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-11-03
VOL 81.


on her side, would spring from true affec-
tion alone.
Would he find these gifts In Isabel Ora
ham
His sister said "Yes,'' unhesitatingly
for Isabel, by a well-simulated show of shy
devotion to her stately brother, had
brought her former schoolmate over en-
tirely to her side.
Sometimes his own heart said "Yes''
also, when he caught stray glance from
the deep blue eyes, or noted blush, or
sigh, or smile of welcome, apparently art
less and unrestrained.
But now and then, something ''gave him
pause" He could scarcely have defined it's
nature, had he been requested so to do.
But there it was-a fine, impalpable
shadow, standing forever between fair
Isabel and her ambitious hopes and de-
sires.
So matters rested between them, when
the conversation in the library between
Mr.. Edenhall and his sister took place.
At it's close he seemed restless and dis
trait. He went out presently for drive,
without, as usual, asking Isabel to accom-
pany him.
During that solitary excursion, he exam
ined his own heart thoroughly.
And the result was that he turned his
horses heads homeward, fully resolved to
share his home and heart.
1t was long after the fashionable dinner
hour, and his sister, he well knew, would
be safe in the nursery, experimenting the
evening bath of her ''son and heir,' who
| was ''the one child" on earth, in the esti-
nation of herself and her husband.
The family were to leave New York
early in the following week, for lengthen-
ed summer tour. Isabel was with them.
1t should be as his promised bride.
Thus thinking, he dismissed his groom
with the horses, at some distance from the
house, and using his latch-key, entered
softly, and turned toward the drawing
room, intending to give bright Isabel a
pleasant surprise.
That she would be at home he knew,
and also that she would be alone.
For all their fashionable friends were
already out of town, and no places of
amusement were open that people OF their
class would care to patronize.
Therefore he fully expected 10 find Isa-
the balcony that overlooked the garden,
and that was entirely sheltered by its
poisoning vines from the gaze of passers-
by.
Would she be there? Watching the
| newly-risen moon, perhaps, and dreaming
of him, as she rested her perfect cheek
upon her perfect hand, marvelling at his
GOODNESS, perhaps, and wondering why he
| had chosen to drive alone when she was
always ready and happy to accompany
him?
Dear Isabel! Something like a feeling of
actual affection woke in his heart, as
through the dusky gloom of the evening
he discovered her slight figure leaning over
the balcony exactly as he had imagined.
He stepped hastily across the room to
join her, Tut the soft velvety carpet muffled
every sound.
And just before he entered the balcony
his progress was arrested by hearing his
own name fall from her lips in such tone
as he had never listened to before.
"Mr. Edenhall, did you say2 Yes. he
went out hours ago, and never asked me,
though he must have known that was
dying for breath of fresh air. He really
grows greater bear every day of his life!
And then that ridiculous fancy of his for
having fire kept in the library this warm
weather. 1t is enough to stife one!"
"Mrs. Stewart told me that he does not
fancy our atmosphere without fire, since
his long residence in England. He con-
siders an open fireplace and open windows
far healthier than closely closed room
and no fire at ALL"
''Oh, Mrs. Stewart" answered Isabel,
in sighting tone. "She gives in to all his
fads and fancies as if she was his wife!
Between his fussy old bachelor notions
and the baby worship she and Mr.. Stewart
keep up eternally, one might as well be in
a hospital OR a lunatic asylum, and be done
with it, as in this house."
"And yet you are going to marry him
Belle?' said the first voice, after pause.
To be sure I am, you goose!" respond
ed Miss Graham. "That is, if I can get
him. I shall have to pretend to love him
for himself alone however, for that is his
latest fancy, and it will all depend on
whether I can act the part well enough to
deceive him or not. For himself alone,''
repeated the belle, with scornful toss Of
her head ''Did you ever hear such non
sense in all your life? He is old, to begir
with, for he Will never see forty again, anG
the gray is sprinkled in his hair. He il
grim and gray, and silent and awkward
and disagreeable, and if it were not for hi
money, no girl in her senses would waste
two words or looks upon him. And YET
my lord cody lays down the law, and says
he will never marry, unless he can find &
wife who will love him for himself alone!
I heard him tell his sister so this very af
ternoon, and that gave me an idea of the
game to play. But the vanity of these
men! However, as he is tremendously rich
| suppose it will be well ones worth tc
try!''
Somewhat stunned by this unexpect eddy
candid estimate of his pretensions and his
points, Mr.. Edenhall turned to steal away,
unseen.
But again he was arrested by that sweet
low, pleasant voice.
81 would not think and feel as you do fol
all the money in this world!'' 1t said.
Isabel laughed.
ooh, you were born for Cinderella
Jane! The part just suits you, only doubt
if you ever find a prince!"
s'No-a prince would never even look al