Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-06-20

that without any formal announcement OF
engagement. Nan should be ready to mar
~ him at once On his return. So having
previously telegraphed her, he arrived in
Cedar the last of May, late in the after
noon. and instead of going to Mr. Clarke's
! went to the little hotel, and as soon as
might be betook himself to Mrs. Boyd
house.
He stood moment after being shown
into the parlor, his heart wildly throbhing
with hope and agitation, when the door
opened and in walked Mrs. Anne Boyd
She glided up to him with face 50 full Of
blushing emotion, he thought she came to
congratulate him, and with the Astounding
affection engaged people have for all then
relatives IN prospect, he stopped and kissed
her fresh, sweet lips.
Chow did you know where to find me?''
she said, blushing. 81 forgot to tell you
in my letter that had been living here
the past year. When Nan was married
she left me in CHARGE
Married!-Nan!" echoed the gentleman
aghast.
''Oh, you must have missed the letter
sent to Nice telling you all about it. She
married an Englshman, living now In
Boston, and they went abroad to SEE his
friends.'
The truth flashed on him like stroke of
lightning: it was Anne with whom he had
correspondent, Anne to whom he was en-
gagged; Anne he was expected to marry.
Nan was lost to him forever. He turned
very pale, and reached his hand toward the
table for support. Anne thought he was
faint: with tender haste she pushed chair
toward him, gently put him into it, and
poured a few drops of cologne from flask
on the table on his head; the fresh, delicate
perfume made him shudder for years af-
terWard. He saw in one glance the posi-
tipns before him; one life must be ruined,
his or hers. The moment that passed over
him, as he leaned back, sick and faint,
conscious that Annie's eyes were fixed on
him anxiously, was long as some placid
lifetimes. Thanks to constant habit Of
self-control, the dizzy whirl of emotion
was conquered quickly; the color returned
to his face; he said to himself that the life
already wasted could find no help in de-
stroying another. Annie was innocent of
any intent to harm him; she was woman
too; both as a man and a Christian gentle
man minister it was his duty to protect
and honor her. He looked up quickly and
smiled.
Excuse me, dear,' he said. hoarseIy.
II was very tired.''
He told the truth and no more. Had he
been capable Of deceit, Anne's honest ma
ture would have detected it; but of an I'M
truth he was incapable; and now, as he sat
beside her and his mind returned to its
own balance, he involuntarily began to
weigh the possible ameliorations of his
dreadful mistake. He could not marry
Nan now; she was hopelessly beyond his
reach. One factor of the problem was for
ever set aside. and that the greatest. Then
he recalled the letters that he had received
from Anne, what fine and lovely traits of
character they disclosed. Here his head
began to whirl again; for it seemed impos.
sible to separate the vision OF Nan he had
built up on that very foundation from the
reality which belonged to Anne. Nan
would have thought his love-making cold
indeed; but Anne was shy and reticent
herself. She could feel, and feel deeply;
but she could not be demonstrative, and
she dreaded demonstration in others. Tt
wac uI,ito in aocordanoo with hor poturo
that, after quiet evening of conversation
Mr.. Norton should part from her with one
grave kiss ON her forehead Nan would
have chung about his neck, and put her
peach face up to his for caresses, as flow
er seeks the sun. He knew how it would
have been, and for one mad moment sick
ened with thwarted passion; but Anne
never saw it. She trusted him implicitly,
and after her pure prayers fell asleep, like
a happy child and dreamed of him and her
future home. But what night awaited
him! Sleep fled far away. He had in her
presence been able to preserve calmness at
least, and resolved to accept the situation;
but when he was alone. all the past came
back on him like an armed man. 1t was
q night never to be forgotten. In the
morning he went to Mr.. Clark's and told
them of his engagement, and asked them
to the quiet " edding next day. They were
all surprised, and congratulated him with
such warmth and sincerity, lavished such
love and praise on Anne, that he felt al
most guilty in accepting the pleasant
words, conscious how little they delighted
him.. Harry, as soon as they were alone,
proceeded to enlarge on Annes charms.
ssTo tell you the truth, old fellow, have
been NIGHTLY smitten with that lady my
self; but she has behaved like lay nun
The past year. I couldn't understand it.
Somehow or other 1 got it into my head
you were sweet on Nan. even went so
far as to feel sorry for you when she mar
RED Dalrymple-what waste of the raw
land all the time you we're cut
ting me out with Anne. You had not
heard of that marriage till Anne told you.
1t was nine days. wonder here; he is fat,
fifty, and rich as Cresus; that was his
charm. Ducats, my lord, ducats! Nan
loves shining mark; she inherits old Ma
lam Harris tastes as we'll as her name, only
The madam loved to save, and Anne to
spend"
Here it flashed across Philip that his let
,ers had all been mistakenly addressed.
Nan was Anne Hart Boyd, and he had
thought the initial belonged to Anne. |
From tha very first those Iattars had OOna
wrong, and in his own dislike of nicknames |
be had never used hers, but called her An
ne always-a tender softening of the mon
,syllable that seemed to express more than
The cold stiff name. The day after the
wedding was celebrated. Very quietly
md simply Philip Norton and Anne Boyd
we're made one. He could not help own