Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-05-21

rest, he said.
Why Florry insisted on his going she
scarcely knew. Maybe she thought he
Was working himself to death, Tor he
had been looking unusually thin OF late.
At last the important day came, as
most days do, and an eventful day 1t
was to three persons at least. just al
ter dinner the picnic party took up their
line of march to the grove, looking not
unlike battalion of hotel walters, la
den as they were with plates and plat
ters. cake and biscuits. and all other
things that 90 to make up the delicious
array that we ace spread out on pic
mic table to please the eye and tempt the
palate.
Florry waited a long time for Mr..
Ducey. He came at last, very late
offering no excuse for his want ofpunc.
tuality, and acting. she thought very
strangely altogether'
By-and-by John Myers came, looking
flushed, heated, but whatever was pass
ing in his mind, he maintained an out
ward calm.
Pm so glad that you've come!' said
Florry. we are enjoying ourselves
finely
Just then word came that refresh
mcnts were ready.
There's Nab Townley over there
John. and she looks lonely. Go and
wait on her. and the little witch flut-
tered off, leaving him no alternative
but to obey.
The company were just taking their
places for the picnic, and Florry stood
ouile still, looking anxlously around
for her escort, who had excused himself
half an hour before, and not yet return
ed.
Five minutes more slipped by, and
still he did not come. She felt grieved
and mortified. He had never been so
neglectful OF her before, What could
be the matter?
Where is Mr.. Ducey:' some one
asked.
Hi, protracted absence was now for
the first time generally noticed.
Yes, where is he:' from chorus OF
voices.
What have you dore with your cav
alier. Florry?' Mabel Townley broke
in You must learn to take care Of
him in the future
He is old enough to take care oil
HIMSELF said Florry, lightly, yet with
a very red flush on either cheek.
.Veiy true,' whispered Mrs. Digby'
confdentially, to Tom Lacy, He's
five and thirty if he's day. To think
Of such chit of girl as Florry Castle
marrying a man old enough to be her
faher-thc very idea "
Mr. Lacy, is in duty bound. agreed
with everything that the enchantress
SAID.
We must find him. said somebody.
sHe may have met with an accident
And a dozen of the party fastened of
in various directions through the grove
IN search Of Casper Ducey.
One of the girls found out at last, as
q little scream attested, and they were
all around him IN moment. He was
living PROSTATE on the ground just with
in the she tier of a little thicket not far
away, with his eyes closed and his lace
looking swollen and purple.
What ls the matter"
is he dead:'
He is in fit.'
Three or four girls screamed in q
breath, the gentlemen looked at him
hard. then at one another, but said
nothing.
DR.. Granton glanced at the red,
bloated face. then ruetully at Flory.
Speak she cried, with very pale
lips is he dead?'
He is drunk y exclaimed Jack Blunt
one Of the party, who did not admire
Ducey.
She was silent a moment, standing
motonless as marble, staring into va
concv. like one in a dream. Then the
pallor in her face gave place to a hot.
angry flush, and her black eyes flashed
"a she answered And this is true! p
There was no denial. and she went on
Then he is dead to me. I never want
to look upon his face again. want
HIM TO know how utterly l scorn him
after what has happened. Give me
pencil and bit of paper, John vii
write a few lines for him 10 read wher
he comes out of his stupor. Then
wish you to take me home-'
She had finished in moment.
You shall all hear it, she sale
bravely. 1t is not love letter.
She stood up IN the midst of the ex-
cited throng, whose eyes were all fixet
eagerly on her resolute little face, ant
read what she had written:
. Mn. DucEY scorn and dete1
veui never want TO see you again.
FLORENCE CASTLE.
1t was very brief, very concise but
answered Florry's purpese-it was u
the point. She bent over and DIRE"
something from the breast pocket ofhlI
coat. II was a small flask. Then sh'
she rolled the paper up and thrust j
! through a dainty little ring which hat
slipped from her finger. Next she drew
the stopper. and, after emptying th'
contents upon the grass, replaced
with the roll of paper. Then she pu
tt ..,horo che ha1 found IL