Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-11-11

i jumped up, shouting, On, how ric
we a<F Fifty thousand dollars!" An
then Egave papa good hug and thel
mammS. NV world was surely grow
ing very bright. Although we had al
ways been comfortably well off, W
were farrfrom being rich; and my faith
er, knew, had had bard time in try
Ing to keep the old homestead and clea
off the mortgage which still shadowe,
it. I had always longed for wealth, an,
many were the fair castles in the al
aud the glorious projects-I had forme,
when the day should come in which
riches should be mine!
Yes, the world looked fair and brigh
and wide to me, stretching on and on
rich with golden opportunities Ny fu
ture lay in broad sunshine before me
with no gloom of tears to veil it. H"v
kind at heart Aunt Hepsibah had been
afte, all, said. And l had aIway'
thought her cold and stern and strange
Suddenly.I asked,
How came she to do it, papa? Why
didn't she put it in the will ?"
"Your Aunt Hepsibah was always
queer, and never did things like othel
,people,nn he replied. "She has made
one condition to all this, which will moi
be very hard for you to accept, think
1t is that you"
please, Charles, never mind that
now," my mother gently interposed
1.-The breakfast bell mas rung, and Ma
bel must get ready for the picnic To
night will be time enough for shatp
Dear, tender, mother heart! Was il
to give your child another day of per
feet happiness, day to be marked with
a white stone, that you might shield
her from knowledge which might pain
her? Was it intuition that taught you
that the condition which my father
thought would bP easy to fulfil might
not be possible for me: J.. u
My father simply acceded to my
mothers request, and folded the pre-
ci0us slip of paper and replaced it in the
envelope; then we sat down to break
fast. I was too excited to eat, and the
attempts to appear calm and cool that
my father made were very amusing
He cautioned me agaist losing my head
with my good foTtuns, and warned me
against being completely upset when
smiled upon by the good fates.
My mother was very quiet and regard
ed Us with an ANXIOUS lQnk. which in
my minimizing g4yery of heart I did
not notice at the time; but it all came
to me afterwards.
Soon after breakfast we heard the
sound of voices aud gay ringing laugh
ter, and wagon full of merry girls and
young men drove up to the door. Sc
make the preparations and the teach
f.,t a
thers were to come later as guests No
ther helped me to get all my things to
gether, and whispered, as she kissed
me good-bye:
: Better not speak of what has hap
pened to you, my child. There will be
time enough, and you have yet to con
slider the condition, you know"
"Yes, I know. dear mama" replied.
II shall say nothing about it. of course,
yet awhile You will be sure and drive
out with father this afternoon"
So saying, ran down the steps, and
was assisted to my seat in the high wa
gop. A delightful ride we had to the
Glen, in the beautiful spring weather,
with the glad freshness of spring bloom
ing all around us, and fragrance of flow
ers every where.
"Did you know. Mabel. that we are
to have a handsome stranger here to
day ?" asked Matte Evans
"a stranger" I said "Who Ia he
And how did you know it ?''
II saw him get off the stage last night
and go into Mrs Mnrdit's. He had q
large valise with him, and sort Ct
portfolio under his arm A few mo
ments after, saw Mr. Rnssell hurrying
over there. That's ALL know, except
that the young man Is awful handsome
with quite distinguished air."
We reached the Glen, and soon ev-
erything was ready The table was su-
perb. 1t only needed the exquisite
centre piece, which was to grace it la
ter, 10 make it perfect. We were to
present our principal, Mr.. Russell. with
an elegant silver basket, filled with fruit
and flowers, and this was afterwards to
grace the middle of the table.
Soon the people began to come in car
riages and Yagpns. every one in the
best OF spirits. Finally some one shout
ed-"Mr Russell Ia coming; let's re
ceive him with cheers So we all
went forward in body waving hand
kerchiefs. and shouting, "Hurrah y
There was some cne else il the buggy
besides him, who seemed 10 enjoy this
tumultuous welcome. Mr. Russell, as
soon as he alighted, turned to this gen
tleman, a. d said:
II have brought friend with me to.
day, who, trust, will not feel that he
is stranger among US Young ladies
and gentlemen. I have the honor to in
troduce to yon ilr. Frank Wentworth
who is 10 speiid the summer in our de
llghtful little town, and transfer pits OF
its beautiful scenery to his canvas -
Mr. Wentworth lifte his wide awake
nd made a graceful. defereatial bow.
Matte was right he certainly was very
handsome. with finely moulded, clear
cut face. His manner was easy and ma
tural as he entered into conversation
with those standing nearest him.
We now gathered round the bounti-
fully spread table. and MIR Russell made
an opening address, which was follow
ed by few complimentary remark.
from others. Then l step ed forward
as representative of the graduating class
eq, presented our tribute Of gratitude
and love to our instructor. He wa.
much please and thanked us in a very
impressive manner;. then We all sal
down and tbs business Of Che day com
menced. ''f''
My seat was directly Opposite MFR.
Wentworth's, 50 We talked together for
most Of the time. I noticed him fire
quently regarding me particularly, and
girl like, felt flattered When tn,
meal was over, we broke up into !;ytit
groups. and went off in pairs Harry
johnson and Fred Ormisby going witt
two Of my sch6olmatts, and M;. Went
worth asking permission to join me
We all Kept together. however By
and by we paused by grassy bank. an.
sat down.
Il have brought my sketch book will
me, " said Mr.. Wentworth. ater awhil
producing 2 tiny one from his pocket
such as artists carry ''and am glad
did, for you three young ladies MAKE
s0oh prrtty picture that should lik
to make drawing of you. May I ?"
My companions cried with a'te vnic
that it would 90 charming But Mr.
Wentworth paused for me to speak, AM
did not begin until l had blu hingly as
sented. vainly trying to prevent tn
blush. and angry at myself fur blushinI
for l feared it would 90 seen
Will Miss Howard raise her eyes
please 2" he said, by and by. II can
not make the features complete withau
item N.ts'''i '"'"'
So I lifted nv eyes from the flower