Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-06-25
him she was going to earn her own liv.


own daughter.
Her face had flushed slightly, as sh'
replied:
1You must not forget, Wilson, that
have no claim on the Winters, save tn
claim of love.
But darling you must know what ,
difference it would make to my family
when they hear you are an under-pai(
music teacher, of the Winters, and CO.
heir with her son.
A little gasp of pain came from hel
lips-her lips that had suddenly growI
white.
Oh, Wilson-Wilson! can it be?-
| He smiled.
Sweet, he said, 1 love you for yoursel
alone. You believe this, Eunice dar
ling?
She was SO true and loyal herself, tina
she could not withstand his tender
caressing words, and when he drew hel
to him and kissed her lips, she was, con
tent, even happy again, believing ht
meant nothing by his careless words.
AS he drew her to him now, and call.
ed her his darling, his own, her heart
beat wildly with mingled joy and pair
joy at the knowledge of his love, and
pain at the parting before them.
The red rose she had first offered to
Guy Winters was still in her hand.
will take this for love token, Will
son said, taking it from her, and if ever
the time comes when love you less, ]
will send it to you, and you will under
stand.
He spoke jestingly, but her face grew
grave.
| Wilson, she said, it might be that in
the future you would love me less, and
long for your freedom; if that time ever
comes, promise me you will send me this
red rose, write me no word nor line,
simply send me this flower.
promise, he said butas my love will
never grow less, you have seen this red
rose for the last time.
He drew her to him and kissed her,
Goodbye, my darling, he said. and he
left her standing in the falling shadows
of twilight.
What will you wear tonight, Miss
Leigh?
The graceful woman standing at the
window turned slowly around, and an
swered in tone of intense sweetness
will wear black silk and lace, Meta,
with red roses in my breast and hair.
But your white silk and pearls?
prefer black this evening, Meta, the
lady answered, gently, then turned
around to the window again.
After some time she went over to an
inlaid desk, and drew out letter. writ
ten in a clear bold hand, and signed
Wilson Audrey"
1t was a passionate declaration of love
to the beautiful woman holding it in her
hand She read it slowly over, then
from beside it she lifted an envelope,
directed in the same dashing hand to
"Miss Eunice Dalton"
Opening the envelope, she looked at
what she had looked at hundred times
before, faded red June rose, withered
and scentless and now you know that
Miss Leigh, whose wondrous voice had
made her famous, whose rare beauty and
grace had turned mems heads wherever
she went, was Eunioe Dalton who had
bidden her lovers farewell at the rustic
gate, eight years before,
The change in her life had come sud-
| denly-an eccentric old lady had heard
her sing, and charmed by the depth and
power as well as the very sweetness of
her voice, had taken her under her pat
ronage, and placed her under the best
masters, and two years after had the
SdtloA1CUiOA Cl AuOWlHS Ludt uCI ldlI
young prOtege was fated TO be one of the
greatest singers in the world.
But before all this had come the falsity
of her lover and the anguish that nearly
killed her. and then the news that the
/ old folks at the farm were dead, and that
Guy had sold outand gone abroad then
her new life began, and people were
thrilled by her beautiful voice, and men
infatuated with her beautiful face, and
when she returned to her own land,
from queening it abroad, foremost among
her lovers was Wilson Audrey, who
never dreamed of her indentity.
| There was to be reception that even
ing, given in honor of her, and the
creme de la creme of society would be
there, and Wilson Audrey would be
among them, waiting to receive his an
swer from the woman he loved.
| There were many fair women present
but Miss Leigh reigned queen, by right
of her royal beauty, aud Wilson Audrey
watched her with thrilling pulses, and
wondered how he ever believed ne loved
woman before.
He was talking to grave handsome
man, whose earnest eyes had wandered
more than once to Miss Leigh's proud,
pale face.
They were standing in the shadow OF
bay-window, and neither of them no
ticed that slender, stately woman, in
sweeping robes of silk and lace, was
leaning against flower-wreathed col
umn, little distance from them.
1t is good to see you again Winters, af.
ter all these years, Wilson said, and you
have come back heart whole as well.
Guy Winters face grew grave.
came as | went, Audrey, he said
slowly. Surely you remember I loved
Eunice Dalton.
Wilson Audrey laughed lightly.
An, yes; sure enough! Well, Eunice
was pretty little thing. She was
Eunice Dalton was the one woman on
earth to me, Guy, interrupted, sternly.
dad L known she was not your wife
Not my wife. No thank goodness.
| Winters, don't mind telling YOU, but
L have met at last the woman before
whom my very soul bows down. II
wealth and energy can accomplish it, l
will marry Miss Leigh, the very beauti-
ful prlma donna.
L do not understand, Guy said, how
once caring for Eunioe, you can love an
| other; as for me, this is more precious
than the love of the fairest woman on
earth, and he drew little sandal wood
box from his pocket, and opening it.
displayed faded, red June rose.
Wilson Audrey's face flushed.
You are romantic. Winters, he said
perhaps were you to search for your lost
love you might find her.
God would be kinder to me than 7 dare
hope; but if should find my darling
4 sweet, low voice interrupted him
ana Miss Leigh stood before him, hel
eyes glowing, her lips apart, the red
roses clustering at her breast.
Guy-Guy! L am here. God has
taken care Of me for you-far better care
than I deserved.
And then, sheltered by the silken cur.
talns, he took her in his arms snd press.
ed passionate kisses on her low, white
brow, and smiling, crimson lips.
An hour later, when Miss Leigh thrill
led the hearts of her listeners, as hel
voice rang out in the cid song, 'My dar
ling is tender and true" only two in the
room knew how heart throbbed at thu
| thought. for none save thanncJovo,