Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-11-07
MIscELLAaEoUs.
HOW IT WAS.

."SSsOLDS of the silk aud cream, coIOred roses.
4F YGu will have the hats just nike then ?"
asked Miss Lucinda Smith, milliner
Just exactly alike. 1t will please Her.
mione, aud there is nothing like so we'll as
t. please my pretty stepmamma," answered
Linly Thetiurd, lifting her sweet eyes for
sympathy to the precise couu,enance of Miss
Lucinda.
"Umph $50 you are very fond of her,
LinIy %
Yes, indeed! She is my best friend
since poor papa died, aud being SO near Of
an age we are constant companions. don't
know what | should do if it weren't for
ierm'onn; fyeIands has changed so since
papa's DEATH
"Yuu have Mr. St. Charlcss company
great deal bear"
fash IKE sunrise dyed the beautiful
brunette face
"Or course he is Hermiouc's cousin, and
and like brother to me, answered Linly,
STOPPING over box Of silk violets to hide
her confusion.
"Umph yes-we!l, tits all right. of
course" remarked Miss Lucinda, punching
out hrier Leaf, and setting tho little rose
occur to you that folks would talk p
"About what" asked Linly, lifting her
clear hazel eyes to Miss Lucrnda's profile
His being st Ryenuds' sn much, so soon
after your fathers death. Poor man dead
but six months l should .hiuk Your step.
mamma, you call her. would have more
respect for his memory than to o."
Ethan TO what 2" asked Liuly, her bright
orbs growing large and bright with indeua
tion. What have you to say against Her
mione-against my fathers wife, Miss Luz
ciuda 2"
"Say ?--oh, I say nothing. It's what 9TH
er people talking about But must add
that it is strange you so blind, Linly
Now have known you ever since you were
child used to come to Ryclunds every
spring 20 make caps in yOur greudmother's
day, and your own mother always bought her
bonnets Of me-snd you were always bright
enough about other things. It's strange yeu
cant zee.
What ?" with a thrill in her young
voice
"Why, of course, your stepmother married
your father tor his money aud to have a
home and position. She was only district
school teacher, down in MarsEfield, when he
married her. and everybody knew she did
pretty well for herself when she married DIR.
Thettnrd. But she dead in lovo with her
COUSIN, Rupert ST. Charles, and lie with her
but they were poor and lie working his way
slowly through college that she thought ,hero
WASH t chance there, aud gave him up for
your father. Aud now he is promising
yonng lawyer aud sho m,stress of RyeIaods,
what is So likely ?-Lur', you amt going TO
faint. are you, LtnIy Z"
Faint! M! The day is warm aud your
store is close. 1t is foolish for me to stay
here listening to this gossip. do not feel
III the least INDEBTED TO you for repeating it to
me, Miss Lucinda. My beautiful stepmother
loved my father dearly when she married him
five years of utter devotion to his interests
aud her crushing grief at bis death proved
il for u,e-uor do believe she loved any one
else when she married him. Ard if she
chooses tu marry Mr ST. Charles now, she is
at liberty for all III Circlevi!e - aud, bowiug
with the barest civility TO Miss Lucinda, Linly
left the shop.
The cou air oF the village streets cooled
her burning checks; bur how her loyal young
heart uched in her burning bosom! Not for
worlds would she have had Miss Lucinda con
firned in her suspicious that she loved Rupert
81. Charles bur II was the cruel truth He
was so kind aud fine IN his nature, 20 hand
some and un~Foi!cd by lis rapid success in
life. no wonder the grII-h heart worshiped
him. She had never believed that there was
anything between the cousins but cousinIy
kindness and freedom. But perhaps others
knew better; may tie she rGS blind"
4 feeling Of bitter dc>olxtion fell upon her
as she entered the broad gates of Ryeiands.
whence her beloved father whose pet she had
always been, had been carried scarcely half
year before. She loved Hcrmione, and had
believed that Her:Tiore loved her best of any
thing in the world but now it seemed as if
she lad no home in any heart
Mr. s.. Charles beautiful mare, Sultana,
stood tied to tree. For the first time the
sight gave LlnIy pain instead of pleasure
She did not wish to meet him, and she turn.
ed away from the door and took the garden
path.
The grounds Of RyelaDds were old and
fpe. The doctors large practice and open
hearted hospitality had formerly kept much
state there. but of late all was very quiet.
She saw one. her path wound among
the shrubbery; but soon she heard voices.
and psu-ing to learn what direction they were
in. the following conversation forced itself
upon her:
81 hardly know what 10 say"
''But, Hermione. surely you trust me Z"
YES; entirely. But. Rupert. wait yesr.
| My husband ha- been dead such short time,
aud shrink from such responsible act
81 c4uuot wait year. You know how
! lonely have been. and now that love one
woman xith my whole soul-nnd che is free,
! and nan sk Last take cara of yife-surelv