Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-01-04

apparent. I glanced in the mirror, and
I assert, without exaggeration, that il
reflected tall, well-made gentleman,
stylish, dignifed, and not handsome,
but flushed and angry at the Moment.
trod the floor with hurried steps
strongly emphasized. 1 strove 10 think
bitterly of Florelle, as had heretofore
done of all women, but the spaikling,
changing face, set in crispy curls frank
and enhancing, despite its p6ttness,
swan before my vision, and charmed
me, while the memory Of her asdacious1
style of address was anything but
soothing. ss1
II will punish the MINK" was the
sum Of my cogitations, therefore the
following -
sMIss FLoRELLE-I am old, and,
consequently, entertain distate for
society; and i'll just now, and desire
quiet; yet Perhaps, it is no more chan
justice to you to accede to your wishes.
If you come, let it be alone. Leave
Judge Finch's with the understanding
that you have been suddenly summoned
away. I trust you will not expect me
to amuse you.
| HUBERT BERNARDO
Toward evening, brisk KIN pck at the
door, and, an instant later, the footman
ushered in my ward, clad in something
Il cannot describe dress so bewilder-
ing-which augmented her beauty
wonderfully. had esconced myself in
capacious arm chair. arrayed in wig
slightly grizzled, and green goggles,
with my ankle swathed in flannel.
''My dear old guardian !" she ejacu-
lated, and clasped me about the neck,
kissing my cheeks delishtedly.
''Miss Florelle, suppose ?" said in
staid, measured tones, though my
whole being was thrilling at the touch
of her lips.
She tossed her hat, with its bright,
nodding plume, upon the sofa, her
cloak across a chair, and, drawing a
seat close beside me, leaned toward
me. 80
Heavens, young lady!' I shouted,
hoarsely, 'can you not see that you are
pressing against my tender foot ?" And
I groaned, as if in great agony.
A tender, commissioning look soften
ed the beaming face, while she murmur-
ed, Forgive me! am so thoughtless );
but, indeed, am so happy to be with
you"
l was thoroughly ashamed Of my
fraudulent self, but stoically received
her apology.
Notwithstanding my imposture, it
was the happiest evening l had spent
for years.
January was month Of wild tempest
and, st.us- with the-s saseinaksHg
Florelle, with the direst dispaT @lt
my heart going away from me. esy 4
She heartily fulfilled her promise to
cheer me. She sang in rich melodioHs
voice that quite filed the room with its
clear resonance, and danced a pas esuell
to the sweetest air in the world, trilled
in her own inimitable style. =, i
A'You think me Wild; don't you?"
she said one day, taking my hand land
by the by. what q pretty hand you
have"-this was the way she glanced
from one topic to another-''for such
an elderly gentleman 1 must display
my attalnments, or you will not think
me half so clever as 1 really am.
Didn't use to write real genuine bread !
and-butter letters, Ell"
Before could reply, she took down
volume Of old German metaphysics,
and read with most admirable enun-
CATION. Then she translated selections
from the French and italian writer's.
She glanced at me anon, little
flushed. lrs IL !
'You see, would not parade my
accomplishments, shut (and the voice
quivered) ''you have right to know how
1 have improved your kindness. If
you were young, you might think l
wished to ensnare you. .Ihalf wish you
were," she added, naively, coming to
my side, and laying her head ON my
wig, with its stiff, bristling hair.
1 had been more than once ashamed
of my stratagem. was now thorough
ly disguised with it. a
How to engage from my ugly crysalis
in becoming manner, now occupied
my mind constantly.
One evening walked into the parlor
Invested of the disguise, which, let the
consequences be never so disastrousto
my hopes, 1 could no longer endure
My ward sat before the fire, dreaming
I thought; for there was a smile on the
pretty mouth, and tender radianceIin
the magnificent midnight, eyes intently
regarding the lurid Goals.
She started as entered, and queer,
smile rlppled all over her face.
'sYou desire to see Mr.. Bernard, [
presume. He will be down directly
Will you be seated? i
We sat a few moments in silence.
was terribly embarrassed and filled
with the gloomiest forebodings, while
she gazed, with an absent air, on. the
toe of her slipper. Finally she arose,
saying: a
II think, perhaps, I had better sum-
mon my guardian, for it will take him a
good half hour to get down stairs
grasped her arm, as she would have
passed me. @,s
'sFlorelle, do you not know me?
ssIndeed do not, she replied. with
the greatest semblance Of amazement.
.sForpiye me. am YOUR guardian 7"