Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-02-05

The red rose she had first offered to Guy
Winters was sill in her hand. ,--b,e.r
''I will take this for a loye-tokeu." Wil>
son said, taking it from her, ''and if ever the.
time comes when love you less. will send.
it to you, and you will understand.' --v,
He spoke jestingly, but her face grew
grave. ,.f
'.Wilson," she said, at might be that in
the future you would love ne less, aud 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 mo
this flower" -
...I promise" he said ''but as my love
will never grow less, you have seen this red
rose for the last time.
de drew her to him, aud kissed her.
GOOD bye, my darling" he said. aud then
he left her standing in the falling shadows
of twilight. -.t %
"wha. will you wear tonight, Miss
Leigh ?" ' ---
The graceful woman standing ut the VIM
dow turned slowly around, aud answered, in
q tone Of intense sweetness -r
Il will wear black silk and lace. Meta,
with red roses in my breast and hair"
'.But your white silk and pearls ?"
II prefer black this evening, Meta," tho
lady answered, gently, then turned around
to the window again r. "a. E
After some time she went over to an In
laid desk, and drew out letter. written IN q
clear, bold hand, aud signed Wilson Au>
dIey."
It was q passionate declaration of lovo to
the beautiful woman holding it in her hand.
She read it slowly over then from beside
il she lifted an envelope, directed in tho
same dashing hand to "Miss Eunice D>lion."7
Opening the envelope, she looked nj what
she had looked at q hundred times before,
faded red juno rose, withored and sceptiess
and now you know that Miss Leigh, whose
wondrous voice had made her famous, whose
rare beauty aud grace, had turned mems
heads wherever she went. was Eunice Dalton,
who had hidden her lovers farewell at tho
rustic gate, eight years before.
The change in her life had csmo so snd.
denly, an eccentric old lady had heard her
sing, aud charmed by the depth aud power ssT
we'll rs tho sweetness of her voice, bad takeu
her under her patronage aud placed her un-
ier the best masters, aud two years sitor
had the satisfaction of knowing that her fair
Young protcge was fated to be one OF tho
greatest singers in the world.
But before all this had come the falsity Of
her love and the anguish that nearly killed
her, and then the news that the old folks aI
the farm were dead, and that Guy had eolI
out and gone abroad then her new life be-
gan, aud people were thrilled ny her bcGuti-
full voice, and men infatuated with her beau-
tful face, and when she returned 10 her own
land from qucening it abroad, foremost
among her lovers was Wilson Audrey, who
never dreaued of her identity.
There was to be reception that evening,
given in honor of her, aud the creme ale GE
creme of society would be there. and Wilson
Audrey would be among them, waiting to rc.
ceive his answer from the Toman he loved.
There were many fair women present but
Miss Leigh reigned queen, by right of her
royal beauty, and Wilson Audrey watched
her with thrilling pulses and wondered Low
he ever believed he loved woman before.
He was talking to grave handsome msn,
whose earnest eyes had wandered more tLau
once 10 Miss Leigh's proud, pale face.
They were standing in tho shadow OF
bay window, and neither Of them noticed
that a slender. stately woman, in sweeping
robes of silk and lace, was leaning against
flower-wreathed columns little distance from
them.
-''It is good to sec you again Winters, after
all these years" Wilson said, ''and you have
coue back heart whole as we'll" 3
Guy Winters face grew grave. -.zr .sa
II came as l went, Audrey" he said
slowly. Surely you remember loved
Euniee Dalton" NfL '-- '.'
Wilson Audrey laughed lightly. lr5 '.2'l1
"Ah, yes; surO aenQugbj Well. Eunico
was pretty little thing, She. VAS. ---s5
"Eunice Dalton was the one woman ON
earth to me-" Guy interrupted, ssernly.
Had 1 known she wss nut your wife = - 0
l''Not my wife. No, thank goodness.
Winters, don't MUD telling you. hut l
have met at last the woman before whom MY 4.
very soul bows down. If weslth and energy
oon - I uin Mica ,iuif
the beautiful prio'a donna ;" g, 81 ...- D.
81 do not uuderstaud," Guy said, chow
once caring for Eunice, you eau love another;
for me, this is more precious than tho
love of the farest woman on earth, " and hs
drew little sandal wood box from his pocket,
and opening it displayed faded, red Juue
rose. @ -.. ~
Wilson Audrey's face flushed.
'You are romantic, Winters" he said, "per.
haps were you to search for your lost love
you might find her" -ssr-.s
God would be kinder to me than dsre
hope but If | should find my dsrling-". .
a sweet, low voice interrupted him. and
Miss Leigh stood before him, her eyes glow
ing, her lips apart, the red roses clustering
at her breast.
..Guy-Guyl I am here. God has taken
care OF me for you-far better care than
deserved"
And then, sheltered By the silkeD curtains,
be took her in his arms, aud pressed pas
siouate kisses on her Low, white brow and
smiling, crimson lips. '72
An hour later. when Miss Leigh thrilled
the hearts OF her listeners, as her voice rang
out in the old song, "SIy darling is teDder
and true" only two in the room knew how
her hesrt throbbed at the thought, for uoue
save themselves dreamed Of tholstOry of the 2
tyo red roses r--. ear, -