Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-01

baby does other unladylike things, can
| yet be cultured, charming, refined.
| This was small village, and the new
acc 4uaintances were thrown much to-
geti1er. Every few days the two young
men found their way to tho Mcclure
cottage; Fred more frequently, SIS he
! was Jacks chum Mr.. Hamilton more
rarely.
AS the summer wore on, Fred became
almost indispensable, he was so versa
tile in talent and full OF pleasant plans
/ for enjoyment. He was ians perform
er on the piano, playing often dainty iis
] tie aTi0s of his own composition. One
of these in particular attracted Hallie's
quick ear, and she was soon warbllng 1t
| with her own clear note but as she was
rather shy Of her accomplishment, Fred
was none the wiser for many a day
Once, though, he accidently heard her
| beautiful rendering of his own favorite
air, and softly whistie6 harmonious
! alto. making as lovely combination as
you would wish to hear. Jack, froi1a e.,
unseen corner, loudly encored, and "The
Duet" became from that day family
Institution.
Once or twice, at different times, Hal
/ lie met Fred's eyes fastened 0la her, with
loSk that made her heart throb. 4
strong yearning shone out ofthem, only
kept down by pride and a resolute will.
But that mute language never found
outlet at his lips; his manner to her was
as frank and unembarrassed as that OF
Jack himself.
AS the weeks glided by Mr. Hamilton
came more frequently, and there was g
certain impressivenessi in look and tone,
and grand consciousness of being ir-
resistible, that set the wild Halle in
gales of laughter.
| Tie two gentlemen were sitting to-
! getner on the balcony of the hotel, one
radiant night i'll September; the next
week they were &c separate for their
winter homes.
Both were smoking, Evans more ST.
lent even than usual-Hamilton inclin-
ed to be confidential.
1.-The fact is, Evahs," he said, rather
ponapously, "I shall offer myselfto Miss
Mcclure before my departure. L may,
in fact, have an opportunity to- morrow.
| With my wealth and acknowledged po-
sition, she can hardly refuse. She is a
charming girl, and though she has some
glaring faults, 1 am convinced that,
once my wife, shall be able to correct
| them"
| Fred replied only in monosyllables,
and finally leaving the placid Ham :lton
| to his eOmplacent reveries, strobe away
moodiiy to his room. Once alone, he
buried his face in his hands and gavo
himself up to bitter thought.
| $50 to- morrow is the enc of it all, and
I must quietly stand aside, and see an
other sue for what I would be so proud
to win. This cursed poverty! Were [
rich 1 would make one struggle for her
love, but what could I offer my dainty
bird, save the humblest home, the sim
riest pleasures. Hamilton is right-she
is made for faiFer surroundings. 20
morrow he 10 to urge his suit; then the
least can Go is to keep out of the way"
Then speaking huskily he added, "God
bless you, fay darling, even tho you
gre not for ae," and rising, lie took doT.n
bis books for an hours hard study.
Two squares away. in dainty, rose
hung room, lay Halle. she had been
thinking sadly to herself: Tomorrow
it will be over-my happy summer
Then, reading her own heart and find
ing she had given its love unsought,
! crushed back her tears, and proudly re-
solved so hi4a her gacret from all prying
! eyes. Isut new in ler giaep she Stirred
AID. with caTessing motion OF net
slender i,aads, murmered drovsiy,
| Fred, Fred, l love ya...''
The next day dawned clear atla Orig Ii
the perfection of picnic weather.
Everyone was early at the Cliff, and
none more charming than Halle, who
with true philosophy resolved to ex-
taa2t every possible drop of honey from
1 this, lier ias,l sweet day.
But whaS vas The I1latter with Fred
Silent, absent-minIea, a!ElosJ naoEose,
he hsa no gay banter for any one to-
day. Haliis fslt her heart grow heavy
as lead under this uns9 psotea change
but, woman-like, to sfield herself,
seemed TO be In her widest, gayest
mood.
"Hallie DEAR" called out pretty
o,anae, won't you please braid some
oak leaf cups 10 aa:2 these lovely rasp
berries-one for each plate: noGohy a+n
make them as pretty as you"
And so Halle, the others being busy,
strayed off by herself, got her overskirt
full of oak leaves, sat down in mOssy
corner, while with deft fingers she wove
! tbs ,)retty trifes, as she had often done
before for tna .ae tsable at home.
| As she worked nef eyes allied e,oEty
with tears, but determined that she
would not be so foolish, she began to
whistle rollicking little jig and SO oc.
cupied, did not hear the step behind
her. 1t was Mr.. Hamilton.
''rhqt odious habit again " he thought
in GispleasaTe, which made him appear
| stlifer than ever, a1 ne seaf2Q nsEaseil ny
| Hallie's side.
Pardon my intrusion, Miss &c
CURE, but opportunities are few to-day,
and | wish to speak to you on matter
of importance"
Halle made round eyes Of astonish-
ment at him, Clearing his throat he
pursued
t, ''Before leaving for the winter, wish
! to make you { formal offering of my
heart and hand: / can givs y9is Eealt h
and position such as you never enjoyed
before; you please me, and think that
under my careful guidance your lmpul-
sive and, perhaps, too pronounced ma
ture, will be moulded into refined Wo-
s.iGDGo2a. Will you be my wife :"
Hallie's face Was study, in2redEllty.
a struggling desire to laugh, and vexa,
tion at such free criticism, succeeded
each other. But then remembering
that though this, her first offer. was
such an odd one, the man was evident
ly in earnest, she rose, saying with gen.
! tie dignity:
- op do fpe mHah honor, sir, but l
can never be what you yisn," ana was
leaving, when Hamilton, astounGeo py
her refusal, forgot his usual good breed
ing and, confronting her, said angriiy
"Ah! | see Mr.. Evans has ioreslall-
ed me.
| And than how Miss Hallie hlaZed