Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-06-23

ever lONeu, SINCE Suc lad 1N"hVhS" 4"
him an interest as new as it was
strange.
Through the next week the face
haunted him. They met again and the
charm crew and dccponed. He could
not define it, he scarcely Acknowledged
it to himself; only away from Miss
Rayburn he was restless and uneasy
until he againi found himself within toe
scope Of her fascination.
Yet hcr nature remained an enigma
to hin. Although so young in years,
so beautiful in form and feature, she
seemed cold even to haughtinoss, roti-
cent almost TO scorn.
II was as ,hougi some exquisite
marble statute had risen in his pai!'>
way, which might some day warm into
life.
She welcomed him whenever they
met, in manner which, while it gave
him no cause for complaint, set chilled
the hope spinging within lis breast.
One day,on going to her home, the scr-
want met Lin at the door with the al
! nounccmcnt that she was very III. This
knowlcdco brought other knowledge -
/ iho fact he couId no longer conceal
4 from himself that &c loved her, and
/ that on his hono Of winning her huns
bis liro's happiness.
He went back to his studio, wreicbed
and dcspairinr, and seated himsclfa'
his easel. He had not meant to paint
/ her face-his brain seemed unconscious
Of his fngor toIl-ycr, when the morn'
ing broke, Il was her features smiling
upon him from The canvass, and he re-
mcmbered the hostess had uttered OF
tie ui1ht he FIRST had met her-thai
j taas should he render himself immcr-
tal.
lie grew pale and wan in the days ol
anxious suspense, when thosa who
watched over her couch knew not. which
would conquer the angel Of life Oh
d.ath. But there came IN hour, never
to be forgotten, when he was admitted
into her presence.
She was very white, very fragile, but
more beautiful .ian in tho color!ns o.
pert Ct Lcal.b. 4 new expression too.
was in the violet eyes raised 10 wei
come him.
i an very glad to meet You again.
She said, GENTLY. j hear you have
boon anxious about nc. You were
very kiud.'
Then fhe words lie had not meant 10
spcal. burst rom Lis lipsr
'Anxiousu lie said. Can man,
Mss Raybum. pcrishing with huneer'
hear or tho famine without sbrdier
Iam prcsamptous, ,ou viii say. lis
trao. What is my lie With its many
scaled pages in which your eyes could
never lock, that I Should dare offer il to
you. And yet, purified By your love, [
would .sy to make worthy. Tell me
answer ne III served as Jacob
served for Rachel, IS there hope that /
nlar win YOU: Ny darling! my daTl-
inrl I love you! cannot live Ny
life without you! VIII you not share
.l,?
Lower and lower dropped the lids,
until Tire long. daik iaslcs swept The
marble check, whilo the sweet mouth
trc,abled; bat the momcntary weak
ness passed as she spoke:
Forget ali tnat you have said, Mr'
Clayton. Itcn never be-
'Tou donot love nc " he questioned
sadly.
Aya'n that swift expression Of pain
filtered across her lovely face.
Il shall never marry she answered
But aud n hor voic. craptan almost
. pleading tone, 'IucoGmy friends very
much. Mr.. Blayton. dc not desert ne !.
Il cannot, 10 replied. To deser
Won would be 10 desert the hope Of one
day forcing you % uusay your erae
words-the hope which will 20 with mi
to my grave.
What was the barrier between them
THIS was the question ever ringing II
Harold Clayton's ear. AS she looke'
when she pronounced his doom, so h
laucicd she might have looked whel
the statute warmed into lie.
Since then she had been colder, mor
distant than before ; but he had caugh
the momentary expression and trans
ierred it to the picture, on which hl'
every leisure moment was spent.
lie was thus epgrossed one morning
ever striving TO add new beauty to his
almost perfect work, when low knccl
2 al The door aroused him.
Come iu! he called, and then ben
: anew TO lis task, without so much a
raislug bis lead. uutil low laughpi
voice sounded beside hIm.
C I'VE we're caught in lie shower, MI
, CLAYTON, aud persuaded Margaret I
/; seek shelter with me here. l did no
c dream she would find herself foresialI
q ed.'
d 1t was Mrs. sOmcrs Who spokc-th
1 lady wLo first presented him 10 Mis-
, lRsyburn-whose- introduction lie ha(
d unknown TO her, carried cut. -.
Margaret, she added turning to he
n Trend, you have been sitting for you
Is portrait and did not let me know. Wb
have YOU kept il such a secretG
=. lie Lad now sprung to his feet
Il time to see the rosy tide spread ovC
r Margaret Reyburn's face. 90.
70 sIt was liberty took without Ml'
t...o..ie. .l,o. Arc Guo,ors I