Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-11-03
Paul bowed low over The tiny brown

Some orphan nice, no doubt, to
whom in the goodness Of her heart Miss
Leslie has kindly given home.'
During the meal Paul found no diff
6culty in keeping up brisk conversa-
ton with the elder Miss Leslie. She
was very we'll informed upon the cur
rent topics Of the day-literature, sc.
altogether quite pleasant sort OF
person TO converse with. Her niece
said very little at first; but soon the re-
straint which strangers presence al
ways cast over her sunny disposition
wore away, and before the evening was
oyer she even INDUCED in her usual
nonsense, and flashed merry glances
from her laughing brown eyes udon our
hero. That night the last thought OF
Paul's waking moments were of those
same brown eyes, and he certainly
dreamed of them all night.
The next morning, contrary to his
usual indolent habits, he was awake and
aslir before the rays Of the sun had
fairly orept over the bill tops, and with
large portfolio under his arm contain
ing sketching paraphernalla, and his
camp chair in bis hand, he passed
through the rose-sl ented garden, and
out into the dewy fields beyond. Posi-
bly, the cause for bis early rising was an
eager desire 10 begin sketch imme-
dately Of q wild, romantic spot which
he had marked for a picture or more
probable 1t was a desire to see how the
broad lands which be coveted, and hop
ed some day to possess, looked by
morning light.
why, it's a perfect Eden!' he NUT
tered, halling for a moment, and gaz
ing around him. This place, together
with the elder Miss Leslie, would not
be the worst fate to which a man nigh
be consigned, but substitute her
niece, and it would be a veritable par
adise. Bah! Paul Ridgeway, don u
you be fool enough to fall in love with
that brown.eyed witch. What would
you do with poor wife In fact, yon
are far too indolent to marry the depen-
dent nioce, instead Of the rich aunt.
To be quite plain, Paul RidGewly' YOU
are lazy. You would rather live at
your ease than labor for even the wo-
man OF your love SO now prove your
self sensible, and let the head, instead
Of the heart, decide for you in this mat
ter
Our hero did not finch at all from his
own plain thoughts, although he cer-
tainly would have resented 1t if another
had called him lazy. But it was the sound
truth-he was lazy. He professed to
be an artist, but it was more for an ex-
cuse 10 loiter around than from any
great gift, or love for the art. 1t was
far beyond the limits Of his scant purse,
or he would have been at some fashion
able resort this summer in search of a
rich heiress, instead Of finding himself
in this quiet place but he called HIM
self in luck for happening to cross her
here.
Paul Ridgeway would not have soil
ed bis dainty white hands with any
thing criminal; yet he was ready to 20
a very contemplate thlng-marry a
woman for her money, and rest con-
tent for her TO support him The remain
der of his days-in short, he was one OF
those fortune hunters Of which there are
not few IN the world.
Early as Paul was astir, Flora Leslie
was returning from her usual morning
ramble. and as his eyes glanced down
toward the meadow, and saw her trip
ping along the path, he thought he
never saw a loyelier vision. With Que
hand she held her dainty blue muslin
dress from the ground, just far enough
to display her tiny feet, while her straw
hat, with its vide blue ribbon, swung
idle from the other arm.
After feasting his eyes for sometime
upon the lovely picture Flora made in
her innocent unconsciousness, Paul
hastened down the path toward her,
aud had nearly reached her side before
she heard his step IN the grass, and
turned a startled glance toward him.
When she saw who it was she blushcd,
and her glance fell before his admiring
gaze. as he sald,-
Pardon me, Miss Leslie, did I startle
you? You choose an early hour for a
walk
And you have taken the same priv
ilege,' she saucily replied, the rogush
look coming again into her eyes.
Il have a penchant for sunrise in sum-
mer,' he said; but did not add tho truth,
that this was the first time in years he
had not preferred a morning nap to the
most glorious sunrise scene.
There I've lost sight Of that dear
little squirrel! But never mind; l
ought not to stand here any longer for
aunlie may need me-
And Flora tripped lightly away, per
fectly unconscious that she had by her
manner left Paul thinking that she held
him of less importance than the little
gray squirrel, and enjoying the same
gray squirrel on account of it.-He
walked slowly onward, wishing he had
some good excuse for abandoning his
ramble, and walking back to the house
by Flora's side.
Things went on quite smoothly for