Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-04-19

she: lana lludgluCu lO lofCu Iu6 DIS wei
as did him? How ashamed feel that
did not hide my feelings better. Now I
know he was just trifing. III never love
a man again as long as | live Never,
never and he shall pever speak to me
again-shall never see in my face how bad
ly / feel!''
Poor Jennie. The day arrived upon
which he had promised to be in town, and
also to take her to drive. Jennie was in
fearful state of excitement all day.
That afternoon late, a well-known ring
was heard at the door. J<nnie's heart
gave d perfect surge; but when the ser
want looked at her inquiringly, she an
swered bis glance with "a cool Engaged
john" and hurried TO her room, to cry
over her modification.
Next day came note in Mr.. Hamlin's
uell-knoWn hand, but she declined to read
it, and sealing it in another envelope, she
returned it, and with it the locket.
Thanking Mr.. Hamlin for his kindness
in permitting her to inspect it. Z and plo-
nounced 1T very pretty, and herself his
respectfully" etc.-very high and nigh
ty."
She was horribly wretched the next few
weeks, and did not go into society. She
had morbid Idea that her story might be
out, and, as it was, Lent came just in time
to give her an excuse for being so quiet.
She pinned so visibly that her friends
thought her health tagging, and sent her
to visit some relations in another State.
She tried to be happy, but was not par
ticularly successful; in fact, her efforts
were miserable failure. 1t was hard to
see which was preying upon her most, dis
appointed love or perfect agony OF mortl-
fcation at the thought of how trans
parent her heart had been to him, and
how he had treated it like toy. She was
always seeking solution of his apparent
ly giatuitous insult, and she could not
find it. Had somebody been laughing
about her patient devotion 20 him? Did
he mean to taunJ her with the hopeless
ness of her love? She turned these bitter
questions over in hundred ways, and Was
ike to break her heart.
Spring came, and Jennie gradually re-
gained a degree Of her old serenity, but
she did not wish to go home.
In the family of her friends was a charm
ing girl Of her own age, and they were fast
friends; but Jennie never spoke of her
modification to her.
One day they were talking over the ap-
preaching marriage Of Aunt Norah.
Jennie" she said, II never showed you
the dear little ring Leonard gave me last
fall, did I?''
No; let me see it,
Norah brought it.; it was beautiful tur-
quolse in heavy gold hoop, and something
Was engraved inside the hoop. Jennie
tried to read it; Norah caught the glance.
"Uberall Du. jennie, It that sweet in
Len. to tell me so much in such a darling
way?'
''What is it?' asked Jennie, in qua
king, uncertain voice, feeling somehow as
if her life hung on a thread-the signif-
canoe of the words, "Uberall Du''-wolds
which had proved SO fatal to her happi-
less.
why, thee over all" Jennie, where
have your eyes gone to? You studied Ger
man at Madam Armand's with me; forgot
So soon?"
80, that was it. Thee over all, and
what fool she had been, eh?' were Jen-
MES last cEeerful thoughts, as she slipped
quietly down by Norah's side in dead
faint.
Miss Norah was Mortified by Jennies
sudden attack; but, when Jennie revived,
she assured her cousin she was in the habit
of fainting at actually nothing, and the
pallor must have been too warm. She de-
ceived Norah thoroughly, but not her own
poor heart.
Then she went up stairs and pondered
upon ''the situation"
The more she pondered the worse it
seemed. She was too proud 10 own her
mistake and take back her hateful words
and manner, and see him in any way, and
pride ''carried the day."
Her father sent her into the mountains
that summer, and, with few friends, she
wandered about; but the grace and charm
Of Gods country, of rocky ledge, and
balmy whispering pine, and trucking
mountain brook, cold and clear, had no
charm for her. One day they planned a
fishing excursion to large forest stream
which crossed the stage road mile or two
beyond the hotel.
Jennie crept away from the others with
rod ard line, and strayed along the
brookside, through quivering lights and
shades, among green leaves and shadowy
places She went so far she was lost with
out perceiving it.
AS she stood quietly on the bank watch
ing a floating leaf, a voice behind her made
her start with astonishment; so well
known was it-so dear.
''Can you tell me, miss, how far am
from the stage road?''
Jennie turned deliberately and looked
into the face Of Royal Hamlin. She &C
tually relished his look Of utter dismay and
disconcertment.
'I-beg your pardon, Miss Dane,'' said
the amateur sportsman, stiffiy; Il did not
recognize you, or l would not have intru-
ded upon YOU"
''You did not disturb me in the least,
Royal" said Jennie, quietly, with scarlet
face; 'but am sorry 1 cannot tell you
which way the road lies. l think l have
come so far I must be lost MYSELF
He stood gazing at her speeches.. At
last he stamme1ed: "Miss Dane-Jennie-
you call me Royal; you do not seem angry
now. Tell me in the name of God, what
got you so furious at me last winter" and