Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-10-11
sADDER AND WISER.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
ooh, dear! how long those men take to
smoke - was Dolly's thought, after din
ner, at Leighton, while she bent over Mrs.
Ashbury's lace making, saying how very
| much she wished her papa would allow her
to learn the art. ''But, indeed, he will
not, Mrs. Ashbury," she exclaimed, as
that lady announced her intention Of ask
ing him herself. Indeed, indeed he will
not for-for he thinks my eyes too weak
| Mrs. Ashbury gazed alphabetically at
Dolly's gray orbs, while that young lady
! demurely sighed, and promised to do every
| thing Mrs. Ashbury recommended.
| ''Though she must think me an idiot if
| I do,'' thought wicked Dolly.
''How very much nicer it is for us ladies
to be by ourselves!' said Constance Leigh
ton, tall, blonde, and inslpid, laying her
hand caressingly on Mrs. Ashbury chair.
"Is it not relief to be rid Of the men
| for while, Aunt Elinorl''
"Oh, so.nice!' sneered. Dolly, respectfully
when they are SO distressipgly devoted. :"
Constance did not relax feature as she
replied; eyes, you may be thankful you
are not a society belle, little Dolly.''
Why should the color mount to Dolly's
cheek at this reply, brought upon her by
her own remarks? Perhaps there was a
sting of bitter truth in Miss Leighton's
words, or was the diminutive unpleasant :?
"Here come the men at last !" joyfully
exclaimed Mrs. Leighton, who had fallen
/ into graceful position and improved tile
opportunity for nap. "Dear Mr.. Esdaile,
1 have been counting the minutes since
we left you all.''
cit must have been mathematical
dream land. then" laughed Dolly, while
one of tho gentlemen bent to catch the
ball tof scarlet wool fallen from her lap.
"How very stupid !! Oh Mr.. Temple. do
not let me Keep you from Miss Leighton"
as he took the low. stool beside her.
''Please-she will be so angry
Harry Temple laughed low, and stroked
his moustache. ''Do you beat up recruits
for Miss Leighton, Dolly?'
'sYou have no right to call me Dolly,
Mr.. Temple; and see Mrs. Leighton is
transfxing me with her formidable eye
glass;"
II wonder if you pose, Miss Esdaile 20
said Temple, not needing her last remark;
"for, by Jove! never saw anything so
picturesque as you are in that airy white
gown and your lap full of scarlet woolp
"Many thanks; but see, the glorious
golden head is reclining on pale blue
much more effective. / assure you."
Effective; yes. in one sense. Like a
pumpkin, should say"
.'Mr. Temple - and Dolly strove to look
dignifed but as the ball rolled away again
half across the room, and Mr.. Temple was
obliged to make dive before it disappear
ed beneath Mrs. Ashbury's voluminous
gray silk, the dignity was failure.
"Do you always take walk on the beach
in the early morning, Miss Esdaile %
eyes, have SO far but if you prefer
monopolizing the beach, 1 will go toward
B. or W
"Why not 20 together ?"
For two excellent reasons: number one
| being the improperly of such a departure
from Leighton rules; number two-''
"lf number two is no better than num-
Der one, go 1 will with you to morrow
morning, sweet Dolly.'s
Number two % repeated Dolly, lean
ing her chin on her hand, and smile
lurking around her mouth-s.number two!
Why, really, it is extremely awkward to
| eoufess it. but because do not want you"
''Are you in earnest % inquired Harry
Temple so passionately that her eyes drop
ped. Had this man, this pet of society,
learned his 1irt's trade so well as to have
such tones a. his command
A little pang went through Dolly's heart
as she replied, why, of COURSE" and the
warm gray eyes were lifted to his.
''Fhere's no getting anywhere near you,
Miss Leighton" were the next words Dol
ly heard, and, looking up, she saw Harry
Temples brown head bending beside the
GLORIOUS golden'' one, several footstools
having been ruthlessly kicked over in his
progress from Dolly to Constance. At
sight OF these helplesslY upturned STOOLS
Dolly burst into fit of laughter"
''Miss Esdaile does not resemble that
melancholy hero of one our late novels,
who never laughed audibly," Dolly heard
Constance say to temple. Could it be he
who was answeringY
| VT ia q nloosuro fo hoor o,,oJ, q 1auOh
however" Dolly was quite melted by
this; but Temple continued, ''It is such a
characteristic oae-heartless through and
through"
The room seemed to swim around poor
Dolly, and while the whist table was drawn
out she escaped through the low French
window. Here in the park she could stay