Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-01
From the South Florida Journal.
4 Whistiiag Girl.
BY HARRY GARDNER.


Halle Mcclure sat on the kitchen ta-
BILE, whistling Nancy Lee" and swing
ing her heels. They were pretty
French heels, and belonged to the dain-
tiest pair OF slippers Imaginable. Above
them was glimpse Of d delicate ankle,
clad in cream colored hose with g. scar
let line, a rutfle or two, and mass of
gray, shimmering material. Belonging,
as | do, to the sterner sex, you cannot
expect very minute description Of cos
don all Inaccuracies. Her dress was
dark gray, plainly made, yet fitting ex
auisitely to her rounded curves and de-
licate outline; jaupty little apron, with
scarlet bows on the pockets scarlet at
the throat and nesting amid the waves
of he1 dark hair, completed her costume,
and out OF tiis pleasant combination of
color, arose her e!srming, piquant
head.
No one had ever called Halle bee4tt-
full, her akin was too pale, her scarlet
mouth too wide, her "tip tilted" little
nose too aggressive to merit such an ad-
ieetive; but she was SO bewstchfDg, so
original, that she possessed greater ia
fluence over others than if she had been
an "orthodox beauty" Women, half
envious of charm they could not ana
lyze, yet loved her for her sunny, mer-
nv WAYS; while men-Why they sEr-
rendered unconditionally.
Halle possessed an accomplishment
quite rare in this quiet village; loving
music with passionate feryor, but denied
by nature voice for singing, s-p gould
whistle as sweetly and clearly IS any
mocking bro. Other girls vainly tried
to initiate her; proper mammas spoke
of the habit as highly indecorous and
unladyiiEe, while Jack, her merry, teas
ing brother Jack, gave up in despair at
being excelled by girl.
And SO she sat there, on her high
perch, whistling. and trying to solve the
perplexing problem-would slle make
custard or chocolate cake for supper.
1t was golden morning, in the last
of May the kitchen door stood widely
open, and through it came sunshine, and
vague perfume, and the humming OF
bees. Outside, over the doorway, a scar
let creeper was growing, its leaves and
gorgeous blossoms forming cleaning
frame for the unconscious picture with
in.
Sauntering down the sidewalk came
three young men in earnest eSlycrse-
Jack, Hallie's loving, teasing brother;
Fred Evans, and Mr.. Hamilton. Fred
was an old college chum of Jacks; Mr..
Hamilton, stranger until that morn
ing-both he'd come down to the quiet
little town for few weeks fishing and
hunting among those fefny streams and
woods. Just now they were planning
for days sport, and discussing tackle,
Gait and other necessities. A few steps
furtAer, and the pretty little tableau
came Ia glaw-framed in by scarlet and
green, for background the dusky
shadows OF the quaint old kitchen, sat
the unconscious Halle, ssaey, betWitch-
ing, with her sweet, clear whistle ring-
ing out on the fragrant air. All three
paused instinctively; then Jack in his
CHEEKY fashion, forgetful of forms. spoke
out ::
'"That's my sister-come in and be in
trcduced."
"Thanks. no." murmured Mr.. HAM
ilton, 60 stitfiy that Jack looked up sur
prised, Ua1l Fred, breaking into a laugh,
explained.
"You see, Hamiitsn's particular aver
sion is a woman who attempts anything
believe he considers thing unpardon-
it great pleasure, but promised to be at
the Station 70 meet friend at nine.
and" looking at hiS watch "pve Just ten
minutes to make the run. !asta, old
boy, We'll see you further"
So saying the young men disappeared
around corner, Jack rushed up to his
room, and Halle, having decided in the
same breath that "a sailors wife his star
ni,o,11d ho ~ and of chooo1o fo 40 l. a xyo q