Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-09-11
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER IL, 1877.

mauve silk trimmed with swans dowr
and the mask is black face"
just half an hour from the time sh
awoke, hidden under the disguise Jus
described, Miss Woodville entered th
ballroom. pr A
The revelry was at its height. Th
music was fascinating, the dancing mos
animated, and the throng full of merri
ment.
The little mauve domino seemed sh,
and, if the truth had been known, wa
half inclined to fly from the scene sh'
entered SO rashly.
To what end her wavering doubt woul(
have carried her cannot be known. fo
she had not stood in the doorway two
seconds, before gentleman, unmasket
like most of the men in the room, snatch
ed her under his arm, and led her off tc
a place at the head of the quadrille.
A slight scream escaped her as she
looked up into his face, and her partner
was obliged to lead her through the first
few steps of the dance, for she had lost
the power of voluntary melton. But
when the time arrived for the side cou.
pie to dance, she had recovered enough
selfpossession to listen calmly to the re-
marks of her captor.
''You seem to be sly little puss.-
had the luck of getting all the fat, puffy
goodness, the last one pleaded fatigue
and left ME just as saw you.
And away he started, Heading his part
ner through all the figures with all the
abandon his rather elderly form could
| command. He squeezed her hand, and
glanced tenderly into her eyes.
"YOu are the sweetest little creature, !"
he said, coming close to her, as there was
again pause for them in the dance
"YOu are so quiet; you interest me you
are SO different from the rest here. Pray
tell me why you have chosen this sombre
costume? 1t really looks like half
mourning. Speak, pretty one."
In low, disguised voice, Miss Wood
vile answered:
Don't you see sir that am widow?"
ITO be sure. Why, I adore widows.
| have several among my lady friends,
but none so charming as yourself
He kept pouring out compliment after
compliment, and then entreated her to
unmask.
"It is impossible. There is one man
here that l would not have see my face
for worlds. must leave soon it is now
near midnight"
You pique my curiosity, madam, to
the utmost. Give me but one peep at
that face, which know must be lovely.
[ will defend you against that man,
whomsoever he may be. Pity me,
humOr the Whim of a man who in o few
days will be married to girl with
plain face, just because she hasa position
and fortune"
II pity her more; but the time has
come when I must go. It's 12 o'clock
now"
mo, no, you may stay I will see who
you are."
"Some other time," said Miss Wood
Vile hastily, trying to wrench her hand
from his grasp. "If you detain me you
will lose me-"
"Tell me where I can see you my
sweetest charmer."
"Well, next Sunday afternoon, at
half past four o'clock, at any place you
may appoint, SIR"
"Then let it be at the - Hotel. I
shall send to engage private parlor
there for that day, andI will order din
ner at half past four. Pray do not fail"
The widow in mauve, otherwise Miss
Woodville, slipped away, and the old
beau was left standing almsst in the
midst of the crowd.
The next day at Mearsdale the guests
were heartily welcomed, and allappear-
ed quite happy except Miss Woodville,
and she seemed little cross and unsym-
pathetic with the lovers. Thus three
days passed and Saturday morning ar
rived.
"My dearest Maria," said Mr.. George,
70 II; I'M bo hcpI of I; ;c hot a.
most tender manner, "it's painful to
part from you; but business of the most
urgent character calls me to New Or
leans. Console yourself, however, for I
shall be back by the earliest train on
Monday morning."
Maria's eyes opened wide with surprise.
She demonstrated with him begged
him to wait till Monday, and pleaded
that he would come home on Saturday
night so as to pass Sunday with her.
No, the business is too important; so
he left by the 1890 a. N. train. -
There was another train at twelve
On this the two young ladies left the
Mearsdale station. One wore a light
purple or mauve silk, wholly concealed
by large linen duster; the other was
dressed in plain brown and both were
thickly yelled.
The one with the duster said to her
companion:
mo, don't say another word, Maria,
what am doing is right. Obey me in
everything to-day"
When the train reached New Orleans
the ladies took carriages and drove to
the - Hotel. On the way, Miss Wood
vile Invested herself of the linen duster
and threw black Spanish veil over
head and face.
They were shown to private parlor,
where already the preliminary prepara-
tions for sumptuous feast were spread.
Exactly at half-past four gentleman
entered the room.
"True to your word, my darling," he
said, trying to give Miss Woodville an
affectionate embrace. She checked him,
at the same time the lady in the brown
dress and veil step forward.
And who have we here ?" he asked.
II was not aware that I should have
the pleasure of another lady's compa-
n.y."
"That is my companion, sir. Do you
suppose 1 would meet you alone ?" said
Miss Woodville still in her assumed
voice.
"Well, be that as it may" a frown
gathering on his face. II have come to
see your face, as you promised. Unveil
now, for dinner will be served in few
moments"
"Not SO fast, gallant sir, if you please
First you must repeat your professions of
the other night"
ooh, that is easy enough. my little
one. You know love you, and intend
visiting you very frequently, and sitting
at your pretty feet literally and meta
phorically."
after you are married?"
ITO be sure I will. What is to pre-
vent?"
'Then certainly you may see my face"
and the veil dropped at her feet. "Al-
low me to introduced you to my friend
Miss Mears, Mr.. George"
Mr.. George turned ghastly pale; his
hands trembled and he clutchedt the back
of chair for support.
Maria now stepped forward, and with
great self-control, composedly said to