Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-12-20

'sWhat could have brought you to sucl
: an out-of-the-waY place as this 7" she ask
ed after the table had been cleared. ha(
evaded similar questions to this but nom
so directly put. Yet, thought 1, VIII.
should not tell her the object Of my trip
What harm could Der knowing it do ?
And it might be the means OF my gaining
valuable information; and the subtitle in
fluence which those dark, sparkling eye
exercised over me inspired me with conf
dence in their possessor, and lowering m.
voice, began:
Have you ever heard OF Morengo'
Band ?''
Her dark eyes flashed with excitemen
as she answered
"What. tie stage robbers?"
ssYes," said 4; then you have heard O
them ~
Yes, indeed!' size replied; Il havt
heard great deal of Them" then adder
archly: II hope you are not one of thei
nuMber."
> sStTyhe other hand" said 1, II am af
ter them ~
'.Indeed!" she exclaimed with increas
ing interest, and then lookir around in g
frightened manner asked: s'But you don't
think they live anywhere around here, do
! you 20
Il am convinced" I replied, lowering
my voice still more, ''that they do live in
the neighborhood. Her alarm increased.
why she exclaimed, 81 have been
living here for several years with no other
protection during the day than Tiger
al assured her that 1 really thought it
must be an abandoned set of wretches who
would harm lady-and especially her.
She appeared to take no notice of this lit
tie compliment, and continued; son the
other hand, 1 understand they are very
gallant band of rascals, and scarcely ever
require ladies to surrender their valuables
when they attack stage" This seemed
to reassure her. sBut, . / went on, you
can DOUBTLESS better understand this when
[ inform you that it is a question which is
the leader cf the band, Morengo or his
daughter, Juanits?''
ooh - she exclaimed, ''now you have
aroused my curiosity. How romantic!
Tell me all about her, please; it is such a
rare thing that we hear of romance in this
isolated REGION a
| Her graceful form inclined in her eager
ness to catch every word uttered, and
her cheek flushed with pleasure and excite
ment as | told her all knew and had
| heard about the remarkable woman, whose
daring deeds exceeded those'of any of her
fathers followers, and that it was affirmed
that the most successful raids of the band
were planned by her, and she always as
sisted in their execution.
Thus employed in pleasant conversation
the moment slipped away into +'hours, and
every moment that passed Ifelt myself be-
coming more hopelessly entangled in the
meshes that the lovely WonIanf before me
was all unconsciousy weaving and throw
ing around me.
| AS each successive hour passed 1 made
but as often failed in my resolution. The
sun was now low, and essayed to depart,
but was met with the words:
why, you surely won't go until papa
comes home; I am sure he would be glad
to meet you."
You really must excuse me-" said l;
it is not justice to the rest of the party
"W hat party ?" she broke in.
"Why.' replied, remembering that 1
had not told her. i am only one of party
of some ten or twelve"
"Ah, yes,' said she, cycling me closely,
II see. And all searching for Morengo?"
'''Y es," replied, ''but I am a day in adj
vance of them; aad as / said, it would re-
ally be unjust for me to remain idle here
while they are pursuing. their laborious
search"
"Then they will be here tomorrow %
she asked.
Yes said I, ''their intention was to
follow the trail which brought me here"
WELL says she, you must stay until
papa comes. shall have to set table for
tea" And before could interpose a word
she was away. AS she left the room 1
! thought how many charms she was the
possessor of. intelligent, beautiful, roman
tic, vivacious, of aesthetic tastes, I was
convinced; and then looking round my
eyes lit upon the books piled upon the ta-
! BILE. I had curiosity to see them more
closely, so 1 walked over and on examin-
ing them found they Were works of au-
thors of renown, and as | oxened one after
another, 1 saw upon the fly leaf of a book
Of poems several stanzas, traced in most
perfect hand. They attracted my atten-
ton, and [ read them. and while I still
held the book in my hand my fair hostess
re-entered and approached the table Ey
which 1 stood.
pardon me, please" began, ''for ex-
aiming your library unlimited; but may
1 ask who thu author is of these beautiful
stanzas %
The color that rose to her cheek verified
the conclusion had arrived at, but she
merely said ''Oh. no one in particular -
and added quickly, ':papa has just come;
he will be in, in moment"
She had scarcely flushed speaking when
a tall, dark 10 IN, with heavy brows, q full
black beard and long flowing black hair
entered the room, ard after the tormalit!es
of an introduction were over we sat down
and as his daughter withdrew from the
room, in subdued tone, he commenced :
s'Violet informs me that you are after
Moreng0.'
Violet She bore the name Of my favo-
rite flower; and OIL how well it fitted her,