Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-08-08

move were not named again during the
visit. ''What is the use Of discussing a
hopelessly disagreeable subject2" said
Eleanor to Alice's first offer of sympathy.
To tell the truth, the mere mention of the
subject made her cross, for young women
of the finest fortunes do not necessarily
possess the finest tempers.
Carols next visit was looked for with
a good deal of interest. Naturally it was
thought that he would know all about his
friends singular conduct. But he pro-
fessed to be as much puzzled as Alice.
HE supposed it was something about
Mrs. Bethune; he had always told Smith
not to take a pretty, rich woman like her
into his calculations. For his part, if he
had been DESTROYS Of marrying an heiress,
and felt that he had gift that way, he
should have looked out rich German
girl: they had less nonsense about them"
etc.
That was how the affair ended as far as
Eleanor was concerned. OF course she
suffered, but she was not of that genera
ton of women who parade their suffering.
Beautiful and self-respecting, she was,
above all, endowed with physical self-con-
troll. Even Alice was spared the hysteri-
cal sobbings and Paintings and other signs
of pathological distress common to weak
women:
Perhaps she was more silent and more
irritable than usual, but Eleanor Bethune's
heart-ache for love never led her to the
smallest social improperly. Whatever she
suffered, she did not refuse the proper mix
ture of colors in her hat, or neglect her
1.-THE of the mint, anise, and cummin due
to her position. Eleanor's reticence, how
ever, had this good effect-it compelled
Alice to talk Smiths singular behavior
over with Carol; and, somehow, in dis
cussing Smith, they got to understand
each other; SO that. after all, it was Alice's
and not Eleanor's bridal shopping that
was to do. And there is something very
assuaging to grief in this occupation. Be-
fore it was completed, Eleanor had quite
recovered her placid, sunshiny temper.
Consolation, thy name is satin and
lace!" said Alice. thankfully, to herself,
as she saw Eleanor SO tired and happy
about the wedding finery.
At first Alice had been quite sure that
she would 60 to Paris, and nowhere else;
but Eleanor noticed that in less than
week Carols influence was paramount.
1--WE have got a better idea, Eleanor
quite novel one,' she said, one morning.
! NTn To b,,id oil f,iy, in,
Carols yacht!''
"Whose idea is that?''
''Carrol's, and mine too, Of course.
Carol says it is the jolliest life. You
leave all your cares and your bills on
shore behind you. You issue your own
sailing orders, and sail away into space
with an easy conscience"
"But I thought you were bent on a
European trip" .,.s.
'sThe yacht will be ever SO much nicer.
Think Of the nuisance Of ticket Offices, and
waiting rooms, and second class hotels,
and troublesome letters waiting for you
at your bankers, and disagreeable para
graphs in the newspapers. think Car
rol's idea is Splendid
So the marriage took place at the end Of
the season, and Alice and Carol sailed
happily away into the unknown. Eleanor
was at loss what to do with herself. She
wanted to go to Europe; but Mr.. Smith
had gone there, and she felt sure that |
some unlucky accident would throw them
together. 1t was not her nature to court |
embarrassment; so Europe was out of the
question.
While she was hesitating she called one |
day on Celeste Reid-a beautiful girl who |
had been a great belle, but was now con-
frmed invalid. ~ am going to try the |
air of Colorado, Mrs. Bethune," she said. |
'Papa has heard wonderful stories about |
it. Come with our party. We shall have
a special car, and the trip will at least |
have the charm of novelty"
''And love the mountains, Celeste. 1
will join you with pleasure. I was dread
ing the old routine in the old places, but |
this will be delightful"
Thus it happened that one evening in
the following August Mrs. Bethune found
herself slowly strolling down the principal
street in Denver. 1t was splendid sun
set, and in it's glory the Rocky Mountains
rose like Titanic palaces built of amethyst,
gold, and silver.
Remembering that it was necessary TO
send telegraphic dispatch to New York
on business, she went to the office and at
tended to it.
When she had dictated the message, the |
clerk said, "Three dollars, madam" But |
greatly to Eleanor's annoyance, her purse |
was not in her pocket, and she could not |
remember whether she had put it there or |
not. The man stood looking at her in an
way; she felt that any delay !
about the message might be fatal to its
worth; perplexity and uncertainty ruled
her absolutely. She was about to explain |
her dilemma. and return to her hotel for |
money, when gentleman, who had heard |
and watched the whole proceeding, said:
MADAM, I perceive that time is of |
great Importance to you, and that you |
have lost your purse; allow me to pay for
the message. You can return the money |
if you wish. My name is William Smith. |
am staying at the American"
"Thank you, sir. The message is of the |
gravest Importance. 1 gratefully accept |
your offer.''
Further knowledge proved Mr.. William
Smith to be New York capitalist who
was slightly known to three of the gentle |
men in Eleanor's party; so that the ac-
quaintance began so informally was very
speedily afterward inaugurated with all |
the forms and ceremonies good society |
demands. 1t was soon possible, too, for
Eleanor to explain the circumstances