Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-05-11
Who was FOoled2
''Mother!,

strong arms relieved feeble ones of
heavy package of books.
"Well, dear" said the mellow oil
voice of Mrs. Naples, addressing her Sol
Lynn, II thought you had enough
carry"
Lynn Naples arms might have bee
said to be fnll, for he carried dry GOOD
bundle, a valise, well-packed shaw
strap and an umbrella; but he too
quick possession of the books, and theI
after an instant's evident regret that b
had no arm to offer his mother, steppe
from the store-door, and turned to ha
a horse-car.
A fair face, that had been turne
steadily toward the two since the
emerged from the store, leaned forwar
now into the sunshine, as Aunt Lorraine
among the velvet cushions of her pha
ton, followed with her brown, attentiv
eyes the movements of mother and son
Amusing, watching the crowd some
times" remarked an elegant young mai
at her side, reconciling himself will
what grace he could to Miss Loraine'
inattention.
"Yes," she answered, almost inaudi
bly,.
The next moment, with a sharp cry
she had sprung from the violet cushions
and was foremost in the gatherin,
crowd.
Bewildered, and for once shaken ou
of his boasted repose of manner, Percy
Dudley followed her.
An aged woman, her beautiful silvery
hair disheveled. her black dress covered
with dust, had just been lifted from the
ground by burly policeman, and was
instantly claimed by young man.
"Will some one call carriage 2" cried
Lynn Naples, his mother lying sense.
less across his breast.
"Take mine pray, take mine!" the
astoDished Dudley heard Miss Lorraine
saying.
But before he could get his breath, he
was shouldered one side by Lynn, who
had accepted Miss Loraine's offer with.
out a thought, and was only anxious to
get his mother to place of safety.
He laid her in the deep seat, and sup
ported her with one arm, while Miss
Lorraine put the lines into his other
hand.
Turn down this side street-quick-
out of the crowd" she said; "and leave
the pheton at the st. James Hotel for
Miss Lorraine"
The burly policeman had finished
placing his packages and bundles about
his feet, and mechanically Lynn Naples
obeyed the mandate given him by the
silvery voice and sweet brown eyes.
The pretty ponies bore him quickly
from the scene, and through several
quiet streets to his home.
By this time Mrs. Naples had regain
ed consciousness, and could descend
from the vehicle, with his assistance,
though much shaken.
In stepping from the sidewalk to take
a horse car, she had been interrupted by
the passing of a carriage, and stepped
back beneath the horses of another.
Lynn Naples was blue eyed, tender
hearted fellow, with nothing remarkable
about him but his purity of character
and domestic tastes, contrasting strong
ly with The habits of the young men of
the day.
Though six-and~twenty, his mother
had hitherto been the sole lady of his
love, and she was little surprised to
hear him exclaia suddenly, out of q
reverie, ths next day:
Wasn't she beautiful?u
"Who, Lynn?n
1.-THE young lady who offered me her
carriage"
"You forget, dear" she said placidly,
over her knitting; "I did not see her."
And Lynn continued to wonder. He
had left the ph2ton at the st. James
Hotel, and the proprietor had assured
him that all would be right. Apparent
ly the episode had closed.
On the contrary, Annie Lorraine, a re-
markably independent young lady for
one of but twenty years of age, had talk
en- pains to inform herselfthat Mrs. Ma,
pies was not seriously injured. She ask
ed hundred questions of her informant
who CHANGED to know the Naples
and learned that they were in moderate
circumstances perfectly respectable;
that they lived in flat in Hotel Digh-
ton: that Lynn was dry goods clerk,
and supported his mother and Young
sister.
Percy Dudley stood by chafing.
ut seems to Me you are very much in
terested in that fellow, Annie !" he ex-
claimed at last.
~ am, I think" she answered care
iessly.
Dudley looked at her from under a
frowning brow. He, Percy Dudley, the
irresistible, the best match of the season,
had paid this girl the most tunmistakable
attentions for four months. without the
slightest sign of having made but the
most ordinary impression upon her.
Yet he continued his suit since there
was not another girl worth one hundred
thousand dollars in his set, nor anywhere
that he knew OF, to be had.
His Jealous eye observed that in driv-
ing with Miss Lorraine. they never pass.
ed the store where Lynn was employed
without her turning her glance toward
the entrance; and once, when he chanc-
ed to be filling lady's carriage with
bundles, she bowed to him, with faint
flush upon her lily face,
From that moment Dudley hated
Lynn. ThDagh he did not for a moment
enertain the thought that Miss Lorraine
gave him moro than q passing approval,
and he could see that the young man
had something noble and attractive in
his air, he was jealous even of her mere
respect for him.
1t was mere accider. shat the two met
again and again during the winter, at
church, 81 q iaif, in picture gallery,
where Miss Lorraine offered Lynn the
sweetest courtesy, but it infuriated
Dudley.
"Curse the fellow I'll make him cut
his own throat before longw he NUT
tered.
He asqshs Lynn out, and obtained
an Introduction. It was in q concert.
room.
"Good many ladies present. By-the-
way, there is Miss Annie Lorraine in
front. Do you know her, Mr.. Naples ~
II have the pleasure-slightly,," re-
piled Lyna, q flush coming into his
frank, blonde face.
Pretty, eh ?"
Every beautiful, I think. Do you
know where she resides, Mr.. Dudley ?'l
"What, don't know Oh, up town
somewhere!" answered the other, catch.
ing at sudden thought. so you don'l
know much about her circumstances? ?'
"NO. Do you?"
"Something," carelessly. "She's an
orphan. Lives with an aunt. Blythe
way, my dear sir, she seems to know yor
better than you do her."
"She did me favor last fall, on tht
occasion of an aooident.n
"Ah! Well, well, it seems that on thai
occasion you took the young lady's
fancy. In short, she fell in love with
you"
with me?" stammered Lynn, blush
ing furiOusly, 81 am not worthy the