Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-08-14


that day. Through Mrs. Bender's ap- |
plication to her neighhor's affairs il
came to his ears whenever Miss Laura
received a bouquet by express, and he
once discovered bunch OF violets
blooming III winc-glass in her window,
which he knew never bloomed in a |
Chester greenhouse.
One evening he was congratulated on
his engagement to Miss Bender.
4 am engaged to no one,' he said'
as if the ground shook under him.
No? Well, folks do say you cughter
be. if You amt, returned the disappORt-
ed gossip.
Indecd Folks seem to understand
my duty better than their own
lie walked homeward, halfbcnumbcd,
revolving the subject drearily. Had he
indeed gone beyond his depth una
wares? he asked himself. Was Miss
Prue mistaken, like the rest, with re-
gard to his feelings Had he misled her
in his blind selishness? Ought he to
marry without love because folks talk
ed As he drew near the Vaughns' in
the failing light he perceived two figures
family outlined: a woman had just
closed the garden gate and stood with
in; a man departed, yet fingered with
the others hand hut in his own; the
tall hedge had hidden Mr.. Devens. In
minute more he would be IN sight. He
wished neither to listen to nor encoun-
ter his rival, nor to surprise them love-
making. lie took step backward,
still behind the hedge.
Tomorrow, then,' said the mascu-
line voice with tender intonation, I
shall be the proudest. happiest-' Dev-
ems found himself actually bending all
his faculties here, but the sentence es-
capped him, I should be glad TO invite
handful of friends TO witness my sue
cess. pursued the same voice. 'fyou do
mot object
L object = said Laura's silver treble
i, who owe you so much--so much
and can return 50 littlen
'Good-by.' \ little silence followed:
then-could Mr.. Devens believe his
own ears The iackanapcs had kissed
Laura, and she had not rebuked him :
lie turned hot and cold alternately;
bis heart seemed tlrObbng IN his throat.
He glanced toward the gate where she
still leaned he longed TO take her in
his arms and claim her love, in spite Of
that strange mans audacious kisses.
Then he remembered Prue, and what
folks had said. Had he not put his
own happiness beyond his reach? In
teaching Laura lesson had he not
learned more than he cared to know
himself: He was Ike child crying for
the moon. He had better go home and
marry Prue. Then he moved forward
swiftly as a leopard had reached the
gate and placed a compelling hand upon
Laura's before she was aware OF his
ncighborhood.
That man-who left you just now
who kissed you-you-who is he You
are going to marry him = he gasped, as
if he challenged her to deny it.
And you are going to marry Pru-
dcncc Bender returned Laura's terse
tones. Let me wish you joy The
hand that held hers dropped like lead.
He hung his head like one convicted,
and walked away without a word.
Looking drearily out Of the car win
dow on the following morning, on her
way to Boston, Laura's eyes fell upon
Mr.. Devens making his way toward the
reireshment room, having just left the
cars. She fancied that there was some
thing strange in his appearance. Was
he III? Could he have been watching !:
lie had haggard addressed air, as if
he had been up over night, and had not
found time TO adjust himself TO the hour,
and lie walked unsleadily, Presently
the train gave an admoEitory lurch.
Mr.. Deycns would loose il, she thought !;
no he was coming, quickly but not sure
ly. His foot may have been upon the
step when it parted and rolled forward,
and broke up suddenly with a noise like
the crack of doom. Ilseemcd TO Laura
as il the heavens had rolled together as
a scroll at that instant. She knew
what had happened without hearing a
word she was on her feet, cropping her
way out amidst the excited throng,
which seemed to part instinctiyely TO
let her pass. She did not know that
she had called his name tendcrly, Wild
ly, with the terrible solicitxde in her
voice which only love lends. She knew
nothing till she found him lying like
death, broken, beside the track, white
and speechless and mutilated. She
crouchod beside him there, whispering
tender words, as if he could understand,
as if they two were alone, and not the
spectacle Of a curious crowd.
L was desperate, Laura, at losing
YOU were his first faint words. i be-
heve-I took something to drink-at
the inn-in Chester-just to forget
about il all. The first and the last
There is to this day an unfinished
portrait, turned face to the wall, in the
efudio n { Mr. Rophapl Smlth The Ia