Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-12-31
he was one of those for une hunters O.
which I, ORC GRO mt q fou in tho uor1d

he was one Of those for une hunters OF
which ere are not a few in the world.
Early as Panl was astir, Flora Leslie
was returning from, her usual morning
ramble, am his eyes glanced down toward
the meadow, and saw, her tripping along
the path, he thought he never sawa love-
lier vision. With one 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 wide blue
ribbon, swung idly from the other hand.
After feasting his eyes for sometime up
on the lovely picture Flora made in her in
nocent Inconsistencies, Paul fastened
down the path toward her, and 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 blushed, and her glance fell before his
admiring gaze, as he said:
< pardon me, Miss Leslie, did I startle
your You choose an early hour for a
walk 6aA
"And you bave taken the same privi-
lege," she saucily replied, the roguish look
coming again into her eyes.
II have 'penchant' for sunrise in sum-
mer. he said; but did not add the truth,
that this was the first time in years he had
not preferred morning nap to the most
glorious sunrise scene.
''There! I've lost sight of that dear lit
tie squirrel But never mind; ought
not to stand here any longer for auntie
may need me.'
And Flora tripped lightly away, perfect
ly unconscious that she had by her man.
ner left Paul thinking that she held him
of less Importance, than the little gray
squirrel, and enjoying the same gray squir-
rel on account of it. He walked slowly
wishing he had some good excuse
for abando ing his ramble, and walking
back to the house by Flora's side.
Things went on quite smoothly for some
time. The Leslies were delighted with
their boarder, and he with his boarding
place. Paul spent his time in talking lit
erature and politics with the elder Miss
Leslie. skelching or rambling with Flora,
and reading Tennyson to her. The latter
was a very dangerous pastime, for. altho
Paul well knew he was treading upon
treacherous ground; he lacked mo ra
courage to resist the temptation. Already
he could read in Flora's trembling hand,
when it CHANGED to rest in his. and her
gaze, that she was rot indiffer-
ent to him. When away from her he called
himself villain, and vowed he would
henceforth avoid her; but this was as far
as it went.
One beautiful day in June, the two low
ers-for they could be called nothing else
wandered down to the river side, and
seated themselves upon rustic bench.
They talked nonsense awhile, then Paul
read to Flora as usual. All! that was a
day that lived long in the memory of each,
though in after years they strove to forget
it; the river running broad and deep, with
the trees and shrubs mirrored upon its
smooth surface; the sky blue and smiling
above them, the air qulvering with the
music of happy songsters, and subtle in
toxicating sweetness in the atmosphere.
Paul was not thinking of what he read,
but of the beautiful girl beside him. Could
he crush back and destroy his love-the
strongest, purest emotion he had ever
known? Could he throw aside the true
heart which he knew beat stronger for him
than any other upon earth? Would the
wealth for which he was scheming make
up for the loss of her love, which his soul
craved ?
In that moment, noble purpose was
struggling for life in his heart. He would
be man-ask her to wait fol him-then
he would 60 forth into the world and la
Dor with the hope of winning little home
in the future where they you'd be SO hap
by together. With these thoughts, the
most noble his narrow mind had ever held,
he flung aside the book.
''Flora. have you guessed how dear you
are to me-that life in the future would
OILY be dreary blank without you ?''
She was at first startled by his vehement
manner, then as the knowledge that she
was beloved by him-her idol-rushed, in
one sweet, bewildering wave over her soul.
she bowed her head without one word, and
rested it upon his breast.
God bless you for this, darling. need
no further answer"
For a few moments they remained in
blissful silence, soul speaking to soul.
Why, oh, why! into every Eden does SER
pent creep2 Why into every blue sky of
happiness does there steal the black cloud
of woe? Why is it that the cup Of bliss is
rudely dashed from our lips ere we have
scarcely tasted the wine of love? Perhaps
that we might not drink the bitter lees at
the bottom. Gud knows, and knoweth
best. s'ats
Suddenly Flora sprang to her feet, tremb-
ling with newborn happiness, yet blush
ing at her lack of maideuly reserve, as she
severely styled her former act.
There is aunt calling me. I must go. :"
And she sped away with the feetness of a
deer, gladly hailing this excuse to get
away, that she might collect her bewildered
thoughts.
Paul Ridgeway gazed after her with
growing shadow in his face. A regret was
already creeping into his heart and in FIVE
minutes more he was berating himself
soundly for his folly.
"Now, Paul Ridgeway, you have made
a nice mess of it You can never marry
a poor girl and you know it. Why will you
be so rash? Well, thank goodness. did
not ask her to marry me, and 1 must get
out of it some way. She's proud little
thing, and never would say word to her
aunt. But / should hate to have her de-
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