Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-12-24
Eenee's Love.
8 Renee /! Renee J!

the shadow OF dropping trees, her proau
hat hanging loosely on her shoulder
where she had pushed it back from her
face while standing IN the shadow.
Margaret Gray's voice had oused the
girl from dreams Of Lester Sinclair, the
handsome, blue-eyed stranger visiting
at the house that nestled amid linden
trees in the hollow below where the old
fashioned cottage of the Grays stood.
She had been dreaming of his deep,
laughing eyes, his sunny, chestnut
curlcs. his gay, nonchalant manner that
always changed to tenderness for her.
Whatever was the charm OF Lester
Slnclair's manner, he had surely won
the.frst tender love Of Renee Court
land's'eiriish heart.
Yeas before the fatser OF Renee
Courlland had left her to the care OF
Margaret Gray-tair. calm Margaret
Gray-who had been his girl-love in
their early youth, and who had never
married in memory of that first love-
dream.
She scarcely knew herself what had
come between them, only it had ended
in bitter words and q still more bitter
parting, and thcn.in his passion Charles
Courtland had married q pretty, dark
eyed French grl-the mother of Renee.
Years after, when his wife died, he
had come to his early love and asked
her TO be his wife and a mother 10 his
child.
But, with all her gentleness, Mar5a-
ret Gray was prouder than many haugh-
ty women, and she gravely answered
him-'No.' Gently, almost Sorrowful-
Ily, yet still it was No.
lie made no second appeal, knowing
how useless It would be.
But, when three years later, death
called himself, he left his orphaned,
penniiess child TO the care of Marg ret
Gray.
The child had grown up to dark.
,, slender maiden, with great gray eyes
and childlike smile. to be the darling
Of Margaret Gray's heart and the day
star Of Victor Gray's life.
some distance down the road VI or
Gray stood leaning against tree, his
face grave and thoughtful, even beyond
its wont.
lie was mol handsome mani this
! Victor Gray.
Bat there was Something better than
beauty in his proud. dark face, for man
hood was stamped on his broad brow.
Courage. honor aud truth cleaned IN
his eyes. and though the general ex>
preston ofhis face was stern, his smile
could be gentle almost as woman's'
and this man loved pretty, childish Re-
nee with all the strength of his heart,
and she-well, she loved Lester SIN
clair.
lie threw away his half burned cigar
and turned towards the cottage, his lace
still grayely stern.
Renee came to meet HIM.
oh, Victor, can't go down to
Raymond's this evening? Kathie is
gong to have a croquet match. Aarga-
ret SAYS no. but you-oh, Victor, may l
not 90: You might come with me,
Victor. Kathie asked YOU
He looked at the pretty, childish
face.
Yes, l will go. Renee he said.
Two hours latter Renee came down
looking like a wild rose in her pink
muslin robes. with clustering flowers
in her breast and hair.
They were rather early in the croquet
ground, so Kathie and Renee played a
game By themselves.
Victor Gray watched Renee with pas
s.ouate plying eyes, knowing the
pain in store for her, which he had been
too cowardy, he thought bitterly, tC
warn her Of.
= Il could not tell her. he said. and
yet l wish [ had.'
lie watched her wlstfully, turning
pale as he saw her eyes wandered to th'
! gate.
She had thrown her hat aside, anC
the soft breeze lifted the short, dark
curls oGher low brow and deepeneC
the rose tiuts on her cheeks.
lie saw the red lips part in smiles
e and the lovely dark eyes deepen, ant
D turning towards the gate he saw Lester
5 sinclair coming up the pathway, ladl
- leaning on his arm.
The one look at Renec's face told VIC
Tor that .hc never suspected the truth
Hcy faith, like her love, was unwa
: yer.nr. She believed IN Lester Slnclal
as She did in her own loyal love.
The Lads on his arm was dellcat
T. little thing, with certain kind OF beau
II ty OF the wax doll order, with big blu
d eyes. dainty features and clustering
i naxen hair.
+ They came forward 10 where Rene
~ stood.
IS Glare. he said this is the youn
y ladyI told you of,iMiss Courtland.-
Is Renee Miss CORTLAND, my bctrothe
er wife, Mss Duyane.'
ly His betrolhed wilev
to The word rang in Renee's ears, the
Ill seemed 10 die away with faint, moaI
" ing sound.
st Remember she was only seyenle'
NC and childish for her age
10 The bright young face grew pallid
ne I'll, ord all the sweet light seemed